Most of our team members work safely from their homes, with the exception of our warehouse staff. Our warehouse has limited staff and we ship safely and responsibly from Chico, California. We keep a close eye on CDC guidelines and abide by all recommendations. If you have any questions or concerns, reach out to us at info@mzfairtrade.com
Caring for our premium wool, handcrafted items is easy! For every day cleaning we suggest a cashmere brush. These are readily available online and in most craft and yarn stores. For more intensive cleaning we recommend eco-friendly dry cleaning as the items are 100% wool.
Visit GreenPages.org to find a green dry cleaner in your area.
You should NOT put your bag through the washer and dryer at home. 100% wool items will felt if agitated in a washing machine and dried.
Our artisan partners utilize aniline and natural dyes, including indigo. Learn more about the process here!
As a natural part of the carbon cycle, wool is one of earth’s most sustainable materials. Energy from plants is converted to wool through the sheep, and the sheep’s manure helps more plants grow. This is a natural and renewable process that is gentle on the animals, and the environment.
In addition to the light footprint of wool’s creation, it is a quality and long-lasting fiber, which means that wool lasts longer and requires less laundering than other textiles. Wool is also one of the most recycled fibers, and eventually, at the end of its life, it is one of the most biodegradable.
For protection, our bags are first wrapped in a 100% recyclable protective bag from EcoEnclose. Then they are shipped in 100% compostable poly mailers from NoIssue. These mailers are made from plant materials, such as corn and wheat straw. They break down in 90-180 days, and leave no harmful residues behind.
Fair trade means that producers in developing countries are getting a fair wage for their work. It is an approach to international development and business based on dialogue, transparency, and respect between farmers or artisans and those who sell their products in the first world. Fair trade businesses, which are accredited by various bodies and backed by conscious consumers, work to raise awareness and campaign for changes in conventional international trade.
More than just a trade partnership, fair trade addresses the hurdles that many producers face, offers support during production, and seeks to find consumers for their goods, so that it is the craftsperson or coffee farmer who truly benefits from the sale. Fair trade products can be more expensive than their conventional counterparts because of the fair wage given to the producer, and it takes discerning consumers to make fair trade a working model.
The MZ Made brand was created in order to connect the talented Zapotec weavers with new markets as well as to share their craftsmanship with the world. We are accredited by the Fair Trade Federation and our goal for growth is to be able to offer work to more artisans to help them improve their lives and communities, one weaving at a time.
Learn more here!
Fair Trade supports communities in developing countries that are socially and economically marginalized. MZ Made is proud to be a part of the ethical and slow fashion movement. Your purchase supports our mission to provide fair wages to all of our artisan partners. In return, you receive a high-quality, handcrafted item that you can feel good about and is made to last!
MZ Made has been a proud member of the Fair Trade Federation since 2013. Our staff actively participates as board members and committee members.
MZ Made is also a Certified B Corp, a designation that a business is meeting high standards of verified performance, accountability, and transparency. We are a part of a family of brands across the globe that demonstrate high social and environmental performance by achieving a B Impact Assesment score of 80 or above and passing B Corp's rigorous risk review.
Trade as a Force for Positive Change
We value trading relationships that distribute power, risks and rewards more equitably. We believe that trade should be used as a tool to help alleviate poverty, reduce inequality, and create opportunities for people to help themselves. Trade should promote fair compensation, safe and healthy conditions, direct and long-term relationships, transparent business practices, and workplaces free from discrimination and forced child labor. When trade encompasses these practices, the lives of all people and their communities improve.
Respectful Partnerships
We celebrate the contribution and value of all people in the supply chain and recognize the dignity of each person and organization in our interactions and relationships. We believe that people have a right to participate in the decisions that affect their lives based on open sharing of information.
Community
We value communities grounded in trust, moral support, cooperation, and a sense of belonging, making us stronger individually and as a whole. We value the global fair trade movement, recognizing that we are intrinsically interdependent, and believe that our unified voices convey a powerful message.
Sustainable Practices
We value continuous improvement and application of economic, social, cultural, and environmentally sustainable practices. We embrace the United Nations’ definition of sustainability “to meet the needs of current generations without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”
Fullest Commitment
We believe that credibility comes from demonstrating, through open and transparent interactions, the promises we make. We have a responsibility to maintain the highest standards and expectations of ourselves; and, we value organizations that aspire to fully embrace fair trade principles.
Consumer Knowledge
We value the impact that comes from empowering consumers with knowledge. We believe that when people understand that trade can be a force for positive change they will use their purchasing power to improve the lives of people and communities.
MZ Made currently works with approximately 50 families in the Oaxaca Valley. We constantly endeavor to widen our artisan base in this area. Learn more about our core group of artisan partners here!
Our artisan partners receive approximately 33% of the price of our items. Learn more about the cost of an MZ Made bag and our brand transparency here.
MZ Made works closely with our artisan partners on design and color. Most patterns are ancient symbols from the architecture surrounding Oaxaca. These images have been woven into rugs and other objects for hundreds of years. Our style team works closely with the artisans on color and new takes on ancient themes. Learn more about traditional Zapotec symbols here!
Pre-order ship dates are clearly stated on all product pages next to the "pre-order" button, and are included on your invoice. These are estimated ship dates and may vary give or take 2-3 business days.
Yes. Pre-orders must be paid in full at time of purchase.
We enjoy offering discounts when possible. Please be aware of the following terms, which apply to all sales and promotions:
Sales and promotions may not be combined.
Promo codes and promotions may not be applied to "Last Chance" items.
All promotions are limited to retail customers only.
Price adjustments will only be considered for purchases made up to 48 hours before a sale or promotion.
Shipping Cost
We offer free shipping on all orders over $100 in the continental U.S. Orders below $100 are charged a $5 flat rate.
Shipping to Hawaii, Alaska and International locales is calculated at checkout.
Shipping Time
We ship Monday through Friday from Northern California.
In stock orders usually ship within 1-2 business days.
Pre-order items will ship within 1-2 business days of their estimated ship date. Your invoice will note your estimated ship date.
Insurance
Insurance is not included in your purchase. We offer Route Shipping Insurance as an add on to all orders. This inexpensive service protects you in the event of a lost, stolen or damaged order. You will be offered the option to add Route Shipping Insurance to your order at checkout. If you decline this insurance we cannot guarantee that you will be reimbursed in the unlikely event of a lost, stolen or damaged shipment.
Tracking
You can track your order by logging into your account and accessing your "Purchases" under the "My Account" tab. You can also track your shipment from the link within the "Shipping Confirmation" email you receive. If you are having any trouble tracking your order please reach out to us: hello@shopmzmade.com.
Shipping Services
We ship with USPS for most standard shipments. We gladly ship to Post Office Boxes.
Expedited Services
Expedited orders placed before 9 a.m. PST, Monday through Friday will ship the same day. Expedited orders placed after this time will ship the next business day.
Refused or Returned Packages
If you refuse a shipment from MZ, you are responsible for the original shipping charges, any Import Fees that are incurred on the package, and the cost of returning the package to MZ. This amount will be deducted from your merchandise refund. Please email your shipping and handling questions or comments to hello@shopmzmade.com.
Lost or Damaged Packages
MZ is not responsible for any lost or stolen packages. We will not offer refund or replacement of items. We will work closely with you and the carrier to try and resolve any situation. If you think your package has been lost or incorrectly marked as delivered please reach out to us at hello@shopmzmade.com. Some standard shipments do not qualify for claims with USPS.
We strongly encourage you to purchase Route Shipping Insurance. This inexpensive service helps protect your shipment in unlikely event of lost, stolen or damaged shipments. If you decline Route Shipping Insurance we cannot guarantee you will be reimbursed for a lost, stolen or damaged shipment.
Return Policy
Please visit our Returns + Exchanges page for more information.
We offer free returns on any order placed within the continental United States. Returns must be postmarked within 30 days of delivery to be eligible for refund or exchange. If you are in need of a return/exchange, please email us at hello@shopmzmade.com - we will respond within 24 hours.
Returns postmarked between 31-45 days of delivery are eligible for a 50% credit.
Returns postmarked after 45 days will not be accepted. Return to sender will be at customers expense.
Last chance items are not eligible for return or exchange.
Items must be returned in their original, new condition with tags still attached.
Orders placed outside the United States may be returned or exchanged at the buyers expense. These orders are subject to the same 30 days of delivery terms.
We want you to be happy with your MZ Made purchase, and will accept returns postmarked within 30 days of delivery on items in their original condition. Last chance items are not eligible for return or exchange.
Returns postmarked after 30 days are eligible for a 50% credit.
Returns postmarked after 45 days will not be accepted. Return to sender will be at buyers expense.
We are unable to accept returns or exchanges purchased through an MZ Made Stockist.
*Last Chance items may not be returned or exchanged.*
**If you'd like to return or exchange an item you purchased from an MZ Made Stockist, please contact that store directly. **
***Gift Cards are not eligible for returns, refunds, or exchanges.***
If you would like to exchange your item please include the item you would like to exchange for in your return request. When you return is received we will issue a credit to be used towards the new item of your choice. Credits do not expire.
If you received an MZ Made item as a gift we will happily accept the item for credit.
Gift returns are subject to the same return policy as purchases.
Gifts are not eligible for free returns.
Please reach out if you have received a gift you would like to return hello@shopmzmade.com. We will need the last name and zip code of the purchaser to begin a gift return for credit.
Returns will be processed within 1-2 business days after we receive the item.
Refunds will be issued to your original form of payment. Please note, refunds will only be issued if the item is postmarked within 30 days of delivery and is in original, unused condition with tags still attached.
Refunds can take 3-5 business days to post to your account. The time between when a refund is issued and the amount arriving in your account is decided by your banking institution.
hello@shopmzmade.com