35 Years of Craft
and Community

Artisans receive pre-agreed living wages calculated against Nepal's actual cost of living — not merely the national minimum wage. Pay rates are verified through annual WFTO audits. Wages vary by craft, skill level, and experience, but all rates exceed the legal minimum and are set transparently before any production begins. Artisans always know their price before they start work.

We don't operate on a percentage model. Artisans receive a fixed, pre-agreed price per piece — set before production begins, never renegotiated downward. This gives producers financial predictability rather than tying their income to retail price changes. WFTO audits verify that our pricing is fair relative to artisan time, skill, and material costs.

Never. The absolute prohibition of child labour is one of the 10 WFTO Fair Trade Principles and is independently audited as part of our certification. Sana Hastakala has maintained WFTO membership since 1989. No child works in our production facility or within our wider producer network.

Beyond wages, Sana Hastakala provides: access to Nepal's social security system through employer contributions; a community health fund; artisan training programmes (500+ trained since 1989); raw materials supplied upfront at no cost to home-based producers; and consistent advance orders that give artisans planned, year-round income rather than unpredictable seasonal work.

Yes. A significant portion of our producer network — particularly in felt production and textile weaving — consists of women from marginalised communities in the Kathmandu Valley. WFTO certification requires gender-equal pay. Our home-based production model is deliberately designed to allow women to earn without leaving their households, providing financial independence alongside domestic flexibility.

Our products use natural materials — stoneware and earthenware clay, 100% wool, cotton, and mineral-based dyes. We use no synthetic coatings, plastic fittings, or chemically intensive processing. Ceramics are kiln-fired at artisan scale rather than industrial volume. Packaging is minimal and plastic-free where possible. We continue working to reduce the carbon footprint of international shipping.

Since 1989, we have trained 500+ new craft producers, provided consistent export income to over 1,200 artisan households, and run community programmes addressing healthcare, education, and financial literacy. Artisans like Rashila Tamang — 15+ years with Sana Hastakala — represent families whose entire economic trajectory changed through access to fair, reliable craft work.

Many products labelled "handmade" or "from Nepal" have no verified supply chain. With Sana Hastakala, the provenance is independently audited. You know exactly where the product was made, by whom, under what conditions, and that the artisan was paid fairly. WFTO Guaranteed status is not self-declared — it is third-party verified and publicly listed.

We quality-check every piece before it leaves our facility. If a product arrives damaged or faulty, contact us via WhatsApp or email with your order details and a photograph. We will arrange a replacement or credit. Fair trade extends to the buyer relationship — we stand behind everything we make.

Fair trade creates sustainable, dignity-preserving livelihoods rather than dependency. When you buy from Sana Hastakala, artisans earn through skilled work and professional pride — not as recipients of aid. This model has proven more durable over 35 years: the artisans we work with have built careers, supported families, and trained the next generation of craft producers.