Jim's exploration of life in Brazil began in the 70's. Hired as a manager for a clinic in Sao Paulo, he quickly learned the language and spent several years in different parts of the country. Jim returned many times, visiting sometimes for months at a time, and getting to see other parts of this vast country that is larger than the 48 states. The Pantanal, a flood plain larger than France. The Amazon river, where one third of all the river water of the world flows, and the Northeast that has desert,  endless farms, and beaches that go on for miles.

Jim returned with his wife Kim and they enjoyed the adventure of hang gliding in Rio de Janeiro, dune buggys in Natal, and the beauty of beaches like Ipanema. Jim and Kim have long believed in preserving the ecology and the concepts of Fair Trade. They were looking for a way to work that could add something positive to life. The idea of bringing beautiful art and handcrafts to market in the US in a way that helped sustain indigenous people and various communities came to life as The Balata Tree.

How we select our products

We examine and consider the following criteria:

• Cultural identity 
• Quality of materials and execution 
• Innovation and originality 
• Raw material obtained through a sustainable environmental practice 
• Promotion of human dignity through work 
• Production capacity of the community 

All of our products are identified as to their regional and institutional origin.

The mix of products used as raw material:

• Natural fibers, cattail, buriti, golden grass, corn husks, banana, carnauba, natural latex 
• Firing ceramics in diverse and colorful pottery 
• Certified or recycled wood 
• Weaving looms hand crafts of spinning and natural dyes, industrial yarns and recycled PET 
• Leather recycled and natural 
• Metals: iron, recycled aluminum, copper, zinc, brass, silver 
• Recycled paper, magazine, fabric, glass, sugar cane bagasse, pet bottles, plastic bags, video tapes, etc.. 

Our Suppliers

• Non-Profit Associations 
• Service institutions 
• Cooperatives 
• Regional communities 
• Indigenous Peoples 
• Households 
• Independent Artists and Artisans 

More than 100 organizations and about 20 independent artisans.

The Customer

While the relationship is transparent, our clients are allies of Fair Trade and sustainability. The price is fair for both the producer and consumer. The intrinsic quality of the object is supplemented by the aggregate social value.

Values

  We and our suppliers believe:

• The Brazilian popular culture is very rich and should be valued 
• The generation of income through the empowerment of communities is made possible if products are marketed in a more effective and constant manner. 
• In the recovery of dignity, self esteem and integration into society of people in poverty and marginalization 
• Craftsmanship that includes women is an activity that helps the family budget without prejudice to the care of children and everyday tasks. And many times, has been shown to involve the whole family. 
• Hand crafts and art are sustainable activities, and bring joy to both the artisan and the consumer 
• Commerce can be different, providing value to both the supplier and customer 
• The generation of income through handicrafts and art maintains tradition and culture, supports the artisan in his community, and is an alternative to the "modern" idea of work