Global Crafts
Silver Polished Heart Necklace - A Thoughtful Gift for Her!
Silver Polished Heart Necklace - A Thoughtful Gift for Her!
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This delicate heart pendant is great as a standalone piece or layered. The heart is delicately brushed to add a shimmer.
- Chain measures approximately 14 inches in length with 4 inch extender.
- Crescent moon pendant measures approximately .75-inch.
- Silver polished brass.
The story behind the art:
Reimagining the aesthetics of sustainable, ethical fashion, this collection of jewelry is handmade by artisans in village communities in India, oftentimes using eco-friendly materials.
Socially Responsible
Asha - meaning "hope" in Sanskrit - embodies a brand with hope for the talented artisans in village communities throughout India, where ideas are brought to life through the art of handcrafted, one-of-a-kind products. Asha allows the artisans to improve their living standards and continue with their livelihoods through dignified commerce opportunities. Asha also provides training and teaching facilities, establishing new local groups of craftsmen, and creating a sustainable future for carrying on the tradition of Indian handicrafts.
About the Artisans
About the Artisans
Chichicastenango, Guatemala, has become one of the most important heritage centers in Guatemala during the past 10 years, due to its predominant indigenous Maya Quiche population and their traditional textile products. Yet, despite increased tourism and a renewed interest in traditional Mayan crafts, work opportunities remain few for the indigenous population, many of whom are uneducated and otherwise unemployable.
Enter De Colores Art, a local business that levels the playing field for villagers by offering free training to anyone who demonstrates the initiative to learn a trade. The company employs 30 women and 18 men to knit and embroider textile products, with the option of working at home using materials provided by the company. De Colores recognizes the culture of its Mayan employees, and as such allows flexible hours and gives time off for sowing and harvest days.
De Colores also invests in community education projects by funding two local schools in the neighboring towns of Chujupen y Pachoj, and by providing scholarships to qualifying students.
In addition to stimulating the local economy by creating new jobs, De Colores makes a conscious effort to use recycled materials whenever possible. The reason for this is twofold: to preserve Mayan culture, as recycled textiles showcase traditional knitting patterns that aren’t often seen in newer textiles, and to reduce scraps and waste.
Communities collaborate in the production process, as men work on the biggest textiles and women do the embroidery, crochet and macramé seen in smaller pieces. In some cases, in order to be competitive, sewing machines are used to assemble the finished product, although all the components are handmade and hand embroidered from cotton, wool and/or silk.
