World Piece Emporium Launches Website

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

New Albany, Ohio, 13 July 2008 - World Piece Emporium is officially launching it's website. The company, started in January, is implementing a new marketing strategy including a website, direct mailing and trade show adveritising. The bulk of this marketing is targeting customers and press outlets in advance of the CHA Summer Convention and Trade Show in Rosemont, Illinois in mid July.

This will be WPE's first showing at CHA. The company previously exhibited at the Spring Quilt Market in Portland in May, as well as the TNNA Needlearts Market in Columbus in June.

World Piece Emporium is the American crafter's first great glimpse into the world of Fair Trade and environmentally sustainable crafting materials!

WPE was created in response to the increase in popularity of unique materials from around the world used in quilting, knitting and other crafts. These items began flowing into the industry but were often imitations, made in the US or China rather than being the genuine article. If the product was indeed authentic, it often was sold at a very high price precluding many people from buying it. The world is craving items with international flare but are not necessarily willing to pay a great deal for it, especially when a knock off is available. Precious few companies are offering quality authentic items from around the world with affordable prices and ethical origins, and this is where WPE comes in.

Fair Trade is the simple concept of paying people what they deserve for the work they've done. That means giving them a "living wage", enough money to support them in their local context, as well as safe and environmentally friendly working conditions. WPE avidly supports Fair Trade practices across the globe and strives to find suppliers who are Fair Trade certified. WPE wants to change that perception of business by embodying the spirit of philanthropy. For every non-Fair Trade product that is sold by WPE, a percentage of the profits will go to charity.

While WPE carries a number of products in many different mediums of the crafting, these items are the paramount lines:

Handmade Batiks: WPE's batiks are the first African batiks available on the wholesale market. They are designed specifically for quilting with smaller patterns, multiple color ways and design series. They are all designed by Amanda L. Sage and are hand batiked in Cape Coast, Ghana.

Handmade Batik Stamps: Due to the popularity of the batiks, WPE has started to offer handmade wooden batik stamps from Ghana. These stamps can be used by batikers or in a classroom setting.

Recycled Glass Beads: These glass beads are made from broken bottles and window panes by the Krobo people in Ghana. They have great traditional importance and are very unique.

Kente Cloth: The quintessential African symbol, genuine Kente cloth is only woven in the Ashanti region of Ghana. WPE's Kente is woven by the same weavers who weave for the king of the Ashanti tribe.

Handmade Paper: Produced by a small cooperative of paper makers in Uganda, WPE's paper is made from natural fibers such as elephant grass, pineapple tops and recycled paper.

Recycled Sari and 100% Silk Yarn: Utilizing the highest quality silk and recycled sari fibers, this yarn is very soft and very unique, made in Kolkata, India.

Surina Knitting Needles and Crochet Hooks: Made from surina rosewood, these knitting needles and crochet hooks are truly beautiful but very functional, proving to be the smoothest on the market!

WPE will be exhibiting in booth 1010 at the CHA Summer Show. Please contact Amanda L. Sage for more information or go to http://www.worldpieceemporium.com/press_kit.asp.

CONTACT:
Amanda L. Sage
World Piece Emporium
614.388.8918
mandy@worldpieceemporium.com
www.worldpieceemporium.com