Seeds to Beads

The Andean Collection artisans handcraft nuts (like the Tagua nut above, which was transformed into a unique bracelet) and seeds from sustainable plants in the South American rainforest, into beautiful jewelry, thereby supporting their families with a fair income. (The tagua pods have to be removed from the palm and dried for 3-4 months before they are ready to carve!)

The Andean Collection

Pambil seeds come from the Pambil Palm in South America, a hearty tree whose fruit, approximately one inch in diameter, contains the seed that is removed and transformed into lovely jewelry like the above bracelet. 

“Amanda Judge founded Andean Collection in the fall of 2008 after interviewing women in rural Ecuador about their survival strategies in the face of poverty. The project was intended to result in an academic paper that presented potential programs to reduce poverty in these areas. As it turned out, instead of just writing about these potential projects, she decided to turn her ideas into an employment generating social enterprise.

“Amanda learned through the interviews that Ecuador has a long history of creating jewelry out of rainforest seeds. Her research also showed that opening the global market for jewelry made out of these natural materials would bring sustainable change to these communities…. Without a lucrative market to sell their jewelry, many artisans had to forgo meals to feed their children. They needed a better option…. This was motivation enough to develop a project that would bring employment to these communities.” Read the rest of the story here.

[Thanks to FairTextiles for introducing me to The Andean Collection's website and blog!]

 

Shop for a Cause: Jewelry, Scarves, Handcrafts Made in Africa

Photo source: AmazimaStore.org

Amazima store: Handcrafted jewelry made with love from Uganda. Amazima ministries was founded by 19 year old Katie Davis in 2008 and “feeds, educates, and encourages orphaned and vulnerable children and the poor in the country of Uganda.  We do this through child sponsorship (over 400 children), feeding programs (over 1,600 children each day Monday through Friday), community outreach, medical care, vocational initiatives, and spiritual discipleship.” Purchasing this lovely jewelry feeds children and supports/employs Ugandan women in the Amazima vocational program. They are trained and paid a fair wage, and work with dignity to provide for their families.

Spirit of Africa Bracelet in blue/teal/brown $8.50 Photo Source: cometogethertrading.com

Come Together Trading Company: The above fair trade bracelet has beads made from recycled glass. Handcrafted in Ghana, Africa. Purchases provide training and employment at a fair wage.

Source: ComeTogetherTrading Co. CAMEL 4" $6

Not just jewelry! This Camel Rider is ”handmade from stripped banana palm fiber harvested with no negative impact on the environment, and helps support sustainability and international trade in Africa.”

$16. Red Earth Trading Co. Giraffe Bracelet. Kenya, Africa

Red Earth Trading Company has this exotic looking Giraffe Bracelet for only $16 (prices subject to change). I don’t have anything to wear it with but I wish I could pull off this look because I love it!

$14 Elephant earrings. Red Earth Trading Co.

Do those earrings look like elephants? See the trunk and tusks? Very unique, and another favorite of mine! From Red Earth Trading Co.

Made in Senegal Africa. Scarf $24. Photo: Come Together Trading Company.

So many lovely scarves to choose from! “The hardest part about purchasing these beautiful hand woven cotton scarves will be deciding which colors you like best. Crafted by artisans of the Ndem community in Senegal, each scarf is woven from cotton grown, carded, spun and dyed by community members under the umbrella of the Maam Samba cooperative.” [Note: I hope to personally begin selling some gorgeous Ethiopian scarves and shawls in the future, from a friend who recently adopted a child there and is now fundraising for a return to Africa, to help in the orphanages. More on this when the opportunity comes to fruition.]

Just Love Coffee Roasters Fundraising

If you don’t wear jewelry or scarves or care about collectibles, what about COFFEE? If you drink coffee, please consider buying your coffee through our friends Fundraiser! The coffee is fair trade and you can even get organic.  For every bag of coffee sold, they receive $5 towards their Ethiopia fund. “Just Love uses proceeds to help an Ethiopian orphanage and families adopting not just from Ethiopia, but anywhere in the world.”

If you would like to support a good cause and also help employ hard-working African women, or families who want to help, I genuinely hope you will look at the companies and beautiful products mentioned here. These items are well-priced, high quality, and worthy of your time and purchasing power if you are able. They are some of my favorites!