By Tiffany Razzano
"I wanted to create something different," Ramos Hajdu said. "Lots of galleries sell American and International art, but we wanted to do something that was socially and economically responsible."
Thirty percent of the items sold at the store come from companies in the World Fair Trade Federation, which ensures that these companies provide fair wages and working conditions to its employees. In the future, even more items will likely come from companies in this organization. The couple finds the remainder of the items they sell on their travels around the world.
Some of the items sold include candles decorated with recycled tea bags made by women in South Africa. Each candle is different and handmade. Other items include handmade bags from Madagascar, all-natural, handmade soaps from Hawaii and a handcarved trunk from Honduras.
Jewelry, however, is the big seller, said Ramos Hajdu. She said the most popular item is a necklace made by Michael Golan, who makes Israeli jewelry, called a Hamsa. This necklace, which is also popular in Muslim culture, is a symbol of protection.
Hajdu said that the jewelry sells pretty well and is well-priced as well. "Go to the market and look at jewelry prices," he said. They're being pushed up by the economy. We're trying to find competitive pricing, but still quality [jewelry.]"
Ramos Hajdu, who is half-Honduran and half-Dominican and was born in New York, but spent her childhood in Honduras, graduated from Hunter College with a degree in media studies. She worked for Clear Channel Entertainment for two years before realizing the corporate world was not for her. She met her husband, who is Hungarian, while living in New York City.
She and her husband moved from Queens to Baldwin four years ago. Ramos Hajdu worked at several art galleries on the North Shore of Long Island, all the time dreaming about opening her own shop.
So far, Rustic Arts has been extremely well received.
"Customers really like it," Hajdu said. "It's different. They come to Rockville Centre for dinner, but as far as shopping, they find it's different from what they find [here] every day. It's welcome."
"The clients are happy," Ramos Hajdu said. "Before, for handmade items they had to go to New York City or the North Shore."
