Everyone will have different highlights, but here are just a few of mine. Top of my list is a recital and talk from renowned composer and pianist Philip Glass. Let's hope it's not too windy in the big tent for his solo performance. Continuing the music theme I have several other sessions featuring rock heroes - Sarfraz Manzoor talking about Bruce Springsteen, and then later interviewing New Order legend Peter Hook. There's also a special screening of "Good Vibrations," the new film charting the rise of the Undertones and others in Northern Ireland, followed by a Q&A with the directors. 

I'm going to several sessions looking at sustainability and associated issues around trade and the environment, a subject which is naturally close to our hearts. I'm particularly excited to see Andrew Simms talk about his new book "Cancel the Apocalypse" which is essential reading for anyone who thinks there must be a better way to run our little planet. BBC economics editor Stephanie Flanders will be giving us an inside view on the current financial climate, and Rob Hopkins, founder of the Transition Towns network will be giving another perspective on local alternatives. 

Then there are the events which focus on our relationship with Hay on Wye's twin town, Timbuktu in Mali. As well as musical performances from Amadou & Mariam, Rokia Traore and Terakaft, there's also a special session led by Hay 2 Timbuktu analysing the current situation in the troubled north African town. 

And these are just the sessions that we're going to! And I haven't even mentioned the excellent How the Light Gets In festival at the Globe, where such delights as Stealing Sheep, Tom Rosenthal and Andrew Weatherall await us. 

It's almost too much to take in, but we feel truly honoured to have such a line up on our doorstep. Come 3rd of June we hope to be tired, exhilarated and uplifted, hopefully with a lot less stock, but just as importantly with a lot of new friends and some amazing memories of 10 days of cultural overload.     

For us, the key criteria is transparency. The people you buy from should be open and honest about where their products come from, and should be able to answer questions you have about how the people who created them are remunerated and treated. We have a detailed list of standards we apply to the products we buy, and also have a questionnaire we send to all prospective suppliers. 

We like to think this is going "beyond the logo" and building up a genuine, ongoing relationship with the artisans and craftspeople we are buying from. We have already visited some of our suppliers in person in Mexico and hope to meet more over the year ahead as time allows. Coming soon we have more exclusive lines from Argentina, Colombia and India. If you have any questions about any of the products we stock, please get in touch and we can tell you all we know. 

  

Legendary adventurer Sir Ranulph Fiennes is leading a team of explorers to conquer the last great polar challenge: crossing Antarctica in winter. Their aiming to raise $10m for Seeing is Believing and provide crucial scientific data. We know so little about this part of the world that it really is the last great frontier. 

Here at Eighteen Rabbit we're shivering at the very thought of it, but we do have a small link to the project via our fantastic T-Shirt suppliers at Rapanui. The cool gang down on the Isle of Wight are providing some specially-made Rapanui baselayers and fleeces for use in the caboose where the exploration team sleep and rest. You can see more on their blog to keep up to date with the news.

We'll have more great Rapanui t-shirts coming soon including the first batch of their incredible new spring & summer designs. Meanwhile you can see the range of guys and girls tees on the site now. 

 

...more incredible jewellery from Cambodia, as well as more of our ever popular Elephant Cement accessories;

...more stock from our friends in Mexico - rugs, mirrors, and our spooky yet stylish black clay skulls!

...more clothes including a range of womenswear which will be perfect for the summer;

...Nepalese arts and crafts including some incredible copper pieces;

...some kids toys and playthings to keep our younger ethical superheroes contented. 

We hope to add all of these items online as soon as we get them. And we'll have more offers and discounts for customers, so if you haven't signed up to our mailing list yet, why not join us? Or if you're more socially minded you can like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/18RabbitShop. 

In the meantime we wish you all a peaceful Christmas and a relaxing New Year. Our shop is closed from the 25th - 28th December and during January and February we'll only be open Wednesday - Sunday. However we are here every day online!

Thank you all. xx