About Us
Kaya wanju (hello welcome) to the artisan creations of Awe & Wonder. Established on Minang Boodja, our handmade educational resource business has expanded to embrace artisans from all over the world. We are proud to be an ethical educational, giftware and homewares supplier well known for our range of bespoke, fair trade and hand crafted pieces. At our core we value community, morality and equality.
The journey began with, and continues to be about, learning. Learning of an unmet demand. Learning of the challenges our artisans face. Learning that “fair trade” doesn’t always mean fair trade. Learning that for all businesses to succeed you must put people first.
Sonya, our founder, (also known as have-a-chat) established Awe & Wonder from a need to supply the education and care industry with resources that aligned with National Quality Standards, pedagogy and parent expectations. Whilst sourcing products for retail Sonya soon released that not all companies live their values or truely reinvest in the artisans that create for them.
As a human rights advocate, Sonya wanted to provide a business opportunity for any artisan following fair trade principles without discriminating against micro businesses who couldn't afford to be a part of westernised trademarks. In travelling to fair trade countries and speaking to businesses, Sonya soon understood the financial challenges these businesses faced to comply in countries where human rights are not equal.
Every single artisan working with Awe & Wonder has a personal relationship with us. We know who they are, their community and how working together impacts their social growth, including during recent COVID-19 challenges.
Much of the Awe & Wonder range is designed by our in house creatives and made by our small trade business partners. These close and long standing relationships allow us to create small runs of custom products in a variety of mediums specialising in wood, fabric, felt and crochet. Such products have high sensorial value, with the most common feedback we receive about an individual's compulsion to touch and smell our products.
Our products are also made with animals and the environment in mind. We design and create products that are built to last, using recycled or natural materials and resources including natural cruelty free sealants, water-based and biodegradable paints, recycled glass and specialised regenerative or offcut timber.
Finally, although we are a not an Indigenous owned business, we pride ourselves on our connection with Country and Traditional Custodians of the lands in which we live and operate. We continue to work with a range of First Nations artists, to develop ranges of products that share stories, knowledge and culture. Artists choose to be employees or suppliers. Regardless of the business relationship we follow the Indigenous Art Code, Artist in the Black agreements & Fair Trade Principles.
There is something intrinsically rewarding knowing a product we sell has brought joy and opportunity to the creator and the purchaser. By purchasing from us you are truly making a difference one educational resource at a time!
