Style That Gives Back: Cana Flecha Cuffs

We’re very happy to be back again this week with another exciting addition to our Style That Gives Back series. This post will focus on Global Handmade Hope’s Cana Flecha Cuffs, coming to us from the Zenú Indians of Colombia. These bracelets are carefully hand-woven from pieces of Cana Flecha, a palm tree indigenous to South America.  The leaves are sun-dried and then cut into strips for tinting and weaving. The result is a vibrant cuff, perfect for adding a pop of color to any ensemble.

The Zenú have a riveting history. During their peak, they were known for their construction of major waterworks and production of stunning gold ornaments. However, with the arrival of the conquistadors, the Zenú people faced oppression and foreign diseases, resulting in a steady population decrease ever since. Despite all of this, they continue to create and weave beautiful products.

Global Handmade Hope ensures that all workers receive a fair and living wage, while connecting the talented Zenú artisans with larger markets. In addition, they aim to promote sustainability throughout Colombia and operate using a Fair Trade business model.

Style that gives back is our favorite fashion statement. What do you think of these beautiful bracelets?

posted by Sandybn
07.13.12
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Style That Gives Back: Tagua Flower Cuffs

As part of our ongoing series, Style that Gives Back, we’re featuring Global Handmade Hope’s Tagua Flower Cuffs. These vibrant, handmade bracelets come to us all the way from Colombia. Though a beautiful country, parts of Colombia are all too familiar with the violence and fear that accompany the prevailing drug traffic industry. This uncertain and dangerous environment often lacks a safe haven for many children of Colombia to grow up in and their poverty-stricken lifestyles make them easy targets for gangs.

This is why the purchase and support of Fair Trade items is so important. They offer these children and their families safe working environments, away from the corruption that often lurks throughout other parts of the country. By working with Global Handmade Hope, these children are kept off the often gang-ridden streets.

These flowered cuffs are made specifically by a women’s group whose goal is to show their children how to incorporate their culture into all of their future business practices. They also promote sustainability and act as role models for the younger generation.

These accessories are as beautiful as what they represent – a brighter, safer future for Colombian children.

posted by Sandybn
06.29.12
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Style that Gives Back: Aluminum and Brass Hollow Earrings by Global Handmade Hope

We’ve returned with another installment of our Style that Gives Back series! We are very excited to spotlight the amazing Fair Trade items available in our campus bookstores and to share the Fair Trade mission with our readers. This week we’re taking a closer look at Aluminum and Brass Hollow Earrings by Global Handmade Hope.

These gorgeous dangling earrings come to us all the way from Kenya, where both male and female artisans are taught work skills through this income generation project. These earrings are beautiful, but where they come from is even more inspiring. The Kibera slum in Nairobi, Kenya is one of the biggest in the world. The government owns the land – ten percent of the residents own shacks while the rest are tenants with no rights. Extreme poverty permeates throughout most

of the area and often prevents access to clean water, facilities, and electricity. The pounded aluminum and brass earrings provide a source of income for many of the people who reside here. Through this project, the group has been able to relocate to a much safer place along the outer edge of the slum where working conditions have improved immensely.

The trendy patterns and dangling design are upstaged only by the inspiring story behind them. Whether you opt for brass or aluminum, these earrings will catch the eyes – and hearts – of all who see them.

posted by Sandybn
06.15.12
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Get & Give: Style that Gives Back

This summer, we’re focusing our attention on fashion that doesn’t just look good, it does some good too. Each week we’ll be spotlighting some of our favorite Fair Trade items that have been carefully crafted all over the globe. From hollow brass earrings made by hand in Kenya to Cana Flecha Cuffs crafted in Colombia, we’re thrilled to present you not only with the gorgeous pieces, but the stories behind them as well. It will be a fashion inspiration unlike any other.

A beautiful patchwork coin purse made by artisans in Kenya, Liberia, and Burundi.

What exactly is a “Fair Trade” item, you ask? It’s exactly what it sounds like. All Fair Trade workers receive a just, living wage for their work. In addition, they are taught how to build sustainable businesses that will have only a positive effect on their communities. Money spent on a Fair Trade purchase will make its way back to improving an entire community. Exciting, right?

Today we’re happy to be showcasing the beautiful Patchwork Coin Purses from Global Handmade Hope. This organization began in 2009 after returning from a mission trip to Rwanda. Their primary mission is to promote social justice, specifically in Eastern Africa. How do they do this? They offer artists the opportunity to sell their handmade goods in order to help them provide food, housing, education, and gain access to medical care.

A Thank-You quilt from the artisans!

This specific project enables women from various backgrounds and places – Kenya, Liberia, and Burundi – to not only improve their sewing skills, but help develop their business and marketing sense. This, in turn, allows them to provide for their families and grow as a community. Not to mention, the coin purses they produce are BEAUTIFUL! With a mix of bold patterns and meticulous sewing, these coin purses are not only well made but incredibly fashion-forward. (Remember our It List post from January? Patterns are in!) You won’t just look great, you’ll feel great knowing that you’re giving back.

We’ll be checking back in next week with absolutely lovely beaded bracelets from rural Southern Africa, so stay tuned!

Fashion for a cause is the most stylish of all. How do you like to give back?

posted by Sandybn
06.01.12
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