Handspun, Handcrafted, Handspoken: A New Name for a Longstanding Fair Trade Mission

For more than four decades, a small but mighty shop in Lincoln has been quietly connecting global artisans with local shoppers.

What began in 1981 as Helping Hands Handicraft became Ten Thousand Villages Lincoln in 1999: a name many in the community came to know well.

But as of November 15, the store steps into a new chapter.

Meet Handspoken.

Though the name is changing, the heart of the organization remains precisely the same. The shop will continue its long-standing partnership with certified fair-trade artisans, work with the same global makers, and offer the same beautifully crafted goods that celebrate cultures and crafts from around the world. It's the next evolution of a mission that has always centered on intentional consumerism and ethical trade.

Why “Handspoken”?

With the national Ten Thousand Villages organization restructuring, all partner shops were asked to return to independent, local identities. For the Lincoln team, that sparked a chance to choose a name that honored their roots.

“Handspoken felt right,” Jillian Christy, Executive Director, explained. It nods to the store’s original name, Helping Hands Handicraft, while celebrating the handcrafted nature of the goods. It reflects the belief that every piece, from carved wooden bowls to hand-loomed textiles, carries the voice of its maker. The artisans’ work, quite literally, speaks for itself.

The Big Day: What’s Happening

To celebrate the new identity, Handspoken invited the community back into the space for the very first day under the new name. The storefront debuted fresh signage, a new logo developed in collaboration with Agent, a local creative agency perched above The Mill. 

Still the Same Mission

More than anything, the team wants the community to know this: Handspoken is still the same fair-trade organization Lincoln has supported for decades: the same mission, the same makers, the exact same location, just a new name to carry them forward.

“We’d hate for folks to think we’ve closed or moved,” Christy said. “This celebration is as much about joy and transition as it is about making sure people know where to find us.”

A new name, a renewed story, and a continued commitment to global artisans, Handspoken is ready for its next chapter. And they’re inviting everyone to celebrate together.

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