About Third World Craft Nepal

Third World Craft Nepal was founded in 1999 by Surendra Shahi and Narendra Shahi, who brings over three decades of experience in fair trade and international exports. The organization was established to provide sustainable marketing opportunities for marginalized producers across Nepal.

Unlike mainstream businesses, our model operates with a social purpose at its core. We create job opportunities for home-based women artisans who are unable to work outside the home due to family responsibilities, cultural norms, or physical limitations. We provide them with the necessary raw materials and skill training. In return, they craft the products at home and deliver the finished goods back to us. Artisans receive immediate payment along with fair remuneration and an annual bonus.

Each production area is managed by a local group leader, responsible for coordinating raw material collection, distribution to artisans, and final product delivery. Group leaders earn a slightly higher wage or commission for their additional managerial responsibilities.

Skill development is ongoing. Common skills are shared on a peer-to-peer basis, while more complex designs are taught through group workshops led by skilled resource persons. For many women, this work serves as a flexible source of supplementary income that fits within their domestic responsibilities.

Mission and Goals

Our long-term goal is to empower women artisans to become independent entrepreneurs. We aim to equip them with essential skills in production, management, and marketing. Many of our early artisans, who joined as beginners, have now launched their own businesses.

Our Network of Producers

Currently, around 100 women across three cities produce handcrafted glass bead jewelry for us. In addition to our in-house network, we also market products from approximately 300 women artisans across Nepal. These include crafts made from nettle, hemp, and other natural fibers—often produced in remote, mountainous regions, where production may be limited and delivery times slightly longer.

Export Markets

We proudly export our products to North America, Mexico, Brazil, Europe, Australia, Japan, Singapore, and several South Asian countries. Our clients are wholesaler and retailers who owns shops, some  individual customers also purchases. we ensure timely delivery—usually within 4 to 10 days with door delivery.

European orders are free from import duties under our REX registration.

U.S. customers enjoy duty-free imports on orders below $800. 

We accept payments via credit card, PayPal, and for larger orders, bank wire transfer is recommended.

Our Commitment to Fair Trade

We are proud members of the Federation of Handicraft Associations of Nepal, a national body dedicated to improving conditions for handicraft producers, artisans, and traders.

Our fair trade philosophy is simple: we make producers the decision-makers. They determine product designs, pricing, wages, and profit margins. Unlike many organizations that bind artisans into lifelong dependency, we empower them to choose their own paths, including shifting to other opportunities when they arise.

For Business inquiries write to  thirdworldmarketing@gmail.com