Tara Trudell and her children

Why did you open Clarity Gifts and Gallery?

I opened Clarity because I wanted to have a place in Las Vegas, New Mexico, that I could work with local artists and offer products that were made Fair Trade from around the world as well as here, locally, in New Mexico. Having a great location helps. We’re off the historic Old Plaza in this amazing building.

I was looking at some old pictures of the store – it was nothing but brown walls – and seeing it grow has been so exciting! I am always looking for new products to put in the store, not only Fair Trade, but products that I can connect with and that my clientele can connect with.

Why Fair Trade?

When I started retail, I didn’t jump into Fair Trade. But I’ve always been conscious of it and worked with Fair Trade companies. When I opened Clarity, I decided that it needed to be Fair Trade,  whether it’s clothes or jewelry or papel picado. I wanted to feel that I was making a difference. I am a busy person – I have four kids, and it’s hard to do the right thing, when it comes to living a life of harmony and making a smaller carbon footprint. I have found that Fair Trade companies are hard working, supportive, compassionate – they are just as supportive of me as I am of them. It makes a great partnership in business.

I am representing different countries and people. Women in India who make these beautiful tablecloths or clothing, women in Nepal. Most of Clarity’s products come from women or minorities. Our problems here will never be as great as the women in Rwanda. I hear the news and it’s disheartening and sad.

It’s amazing how inexpensive Fair Trade products are. The quality of the craftsmanship – it’s art. It’s not something from a factory, not a manufactured piece of something that doesn’t mean anything because nobody really made it.

About the name “Clarity”

Clarity came from just that – I needed clarity in my life at the time. I had this blast of light in my head and I saw the word Clarity. We can never have enough clarity, enough being aware and focused. You’re able to live life a little more harmoniously, with clear intent. I get people who come in who are dealing with illness, buying a gift that will make them feel better. It’s about gift giving, for yourself or others.