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Show Page 8 January 20, Cross Currents BUSINESS w-- ' a w WWV- ' w .: ." W . a .swava vv .v. A 1995 Xv v. a .... Continued fivm page 7 was beyond our imagination. They also sell their own line of jewelry as well as American Indian jewelry and American items. d It pleases the couple to think that Hartmans Mercantile will help to hand-crafte- stabilize the world economy. The good that can come out of NAFTA and GATT is that we can go into other countries and create an economic balance by putting in companies, helping people learn how to manufacture for world trade, and buying their products, he said. This will stabilize their economy and raise it to a world-clalevel. Then it will be easier to sell our products to them. I believe its in our best interest to be the leaders in helping Third World countries and creating a good image of ourselves, said Hartman. It seems a ss This applique wall hanging at Hartman s Mercantile depicts wedding. Photo by Margaret Cheasebro. long ways off to have an economically balanced world, but its a good cause to try for. The Hartmans look for handmade tribal and ethnic crafts. Their merchandise includes a range of unusual offerings, from inlaid wooden boxes made in the Philippines and Thailand to Peruvian carved gourds. The artistry is often intricate, detailed and masterfully simple. Customers help them find new merchandise sources. Weve had a lot of feedback from customers and friends whom weve met since the store opened, Hartman said. They enjoy sharing finds from trips theyve taken to various parts of the world, and I enjoy meeting them. The Hartmans have been to several He put in high-tech-machi- the store and began manufacturing on a large scale. rooster and fishing cats are among unusual merchandise at Hartman s Mercantile. Photo by Mm, a Peruvian countries and plan to visit more regions of the world. I like meeting the artists, said Estell. They enjoy telling us how they made something and are so proud of their talent. Its amazing what people can make with the materials around them. Local people make up a large share of their customers, which was seldom the case when they had the antique d business in Durangos environment. People from teens to d come in here and find a treasure, Estell said. They come back and bring their friends. The Hartmans are grateful for the positive response and hope to expand their business, perhaps through a mailorder catalog or outdoor mercado. Well make it our quest, said Estell, to bring the worlds treasures to tourist-oriente- 70-an- Durango. (Margaret Cheasebro is a school counselor and freelance writer who lives north ofAztec.) A s & ,i I vi'A .f.Oiqql oi sin n y J i to ! i !' f - J i ) ' |