Sexy, Shimmering, (Sustainable!) Silver

August 17th, 2010

Nothing shows off your summer glow like silver! Luminous and eye-catching, silver is simple and elegant enough to wear every day — from afternoons at the beach to evenings at the symphony. When the silver is recycled or produced in fair-labor/ conflict-free conditions, silver jewelry goes beyond beautiful.

ChardNecklace_A_350x350Here are some gorgeous, thoughtfully designed and meticulously crafted silver baubles that we found for him and her: all friendly to the Earth and to its people and animals — and all frankly fabulous.

Smart Glass’ recycled Coke bottle-and-sterling silver jewelry is handcrafted, and no two pieces are exactly alike. Featured in fashion magazines and spotted on celebrities, these recrafted pieces are at once bold and delicate.

0103_1 Circle Pendant 150x150Elegant Roots is proud to be the first to offer C5’s Avenue Green collection of stunning recycled silver pieces. The “Circles” line, shown here, draws its inspiration from the Bronx Botanical Gardens, a haven of nature within a bustling urban environment. The result: sleek, modern lines with unpredictable design, all handcrafted in Bali.

Peace_Wisdom_A_TNSturdy brushed-silver dog tags by Pineapple Seed contain the Thai symbols for “peace” and “wisdom” hand-etched in clean, simple lines. Crafted in fair-labor conditions by artisans in Chiang Mai, this is a beautiful unisex gift with special meaning.

SS_Bracelet_A_TNThis gorgeous “Paia” bracelet by Stephen Estelle resembles luminescent drops of molten silver. Inspired by leaves, this striking design was handcrafted by a family of artisans whose lineage has been making jewelry for the maharajahs of Nepal for more than 400 years.

MensCuff_iFan 500x620RedStart has done it again with these Infinity Loop cuff links, a new take on the mathematical symbol for infinity. A contemporary design inspired by ancient symbolism, these distinctive sterling cuff links are part of RedStart’s “Stream” series, which follows the curves of flowing water.

Perfect to keep you in mind of the beach when you’re in the city on Wednesday.

Industry to Fashion: Repurposed and Fabulous!

August 5th, 2010

What’s greener than recycled? What eco-friendlier than bio-degradable? That’s right — REPURPOSED! Resources already dug, mined, extracted, combined, processed and delivered. Can’t un-do those. But when the product/material has outlived its desirability, don’t sent it to resource-sucking recycling and not, of course, to the landfill. Create a new purpose for it and continue using it!

Now Jewelry and fashion accessories may be small things in the grand scope of human consumption. But we love them. We wear them, front and center. We make statments of all kinds with them. Make a statement with repurposed fashion — especially artisan fashion — that art can repurpose and that life should imitate art!

That’s why we at Elegant Roots love bringing cutting-edge eco-fashion to the public eye, because it merges our favorite concepts: art with activism, creativity with conservation, design with doing good. Socially conscious designers are among the most imaginative and forward-thinking artists we know.

Among our most admired designers are those who can create something beautiful from items left over from industry. Whether it’s computer parts, spare tires or remnants from t-shirts — with the right set of skills, creativity, and ability to think differently, items once destined for landfills become uniquely fabulous works of wearable art!

One company that’s stood out in the industry-to-fashion spotlight has been [wired] and its lead designer, Melissa Kolbusz. Melissa says she doesn’t have to go far to find the materials for her cool jewelry: they’re all castoffs found within a mile of her Chicago neighborhood. Crafted from industry waste — including copper and steel wire, vodka bottles, rubber washers,  resistors and more — Kolbusz’s jewelry is at once tough and feminine, cutting-edge and whimsical. You’ll never look at computer parts the same way again!

English Retreads designer Heather English uses recycled inner tubes to create her awesome repurposed-rubber handbags and accessories. In fact, each tire has about 60,000 miles on it before it becomes an English Retread masterpiece! These eco-chic, cool and durable items for men, women and pets are slick and stylish with a distinctive road-warrior feel. Naturally, they’re completely cruelty-free, vegan, and pose a low environmental impact.

Discarded t-shirt materials provide the colorful cotton nuggets used to make this flirty and fabulous “Miele” handbag by Be Sweet. Designed by South African fashion designer Adri Schulz, Be Sweet’s signature bags are handcrafted by the Xhosa women’s artisan collective in his native country. Hand-hooked from vibrant t-shirt castoffs and made with minimal machinery, these honeycomb handbags are as gorgeous as they are eco-friendly. As if that weren’t enough, the women’s collective Be Sweet supports is an extraordinary organization that creates jobs and strengthens families and communities in South Africa.

Make a statement that Life can Imitate Fashion Art!

Five Eco-Friendly Summer Fashion Finds

August 2nd, 2010

During the dog days of summer, here are some cool green discoveries that go so well with hot days and nights …

sba_1_385x371-01The Sheba Pendant is a great “date necklace” made of wood, silk and glass, that dresses up a floaty summer top or colorful maxi-dress. Dori Csengeri’s fabulous jewelry designs are impeccably rendered by women artisans in Israel.

GGeckoPurse_A_385x332These cute, light and surprisingly durable Organza/ Raw Silk purses from Green Gecko were handmade by Cambodian artisans. So great with breezy summer dresses.

CWomen_ScarfColors385x300At night when the temperature drops, reach for this light, elegant Ethiopian silk scarf. Wear it gathered around your neck or toss around your shoulders. This beautiful natural-silk scarf is handspun by the Creative Women artisan’s collective in Ethiopia, and comes in five colors to complement any outfit.

CreativeW_Bags_Both newer canvas 350x292copyBeach Bag Bingo: tote your towel, sunblock and beach read in style with another Creative Women offering: a durable, eco-friendly textile tote. These dramatic bags have a gorgeous natural sheen and are built to last.

acai-newRainforest Native’s simply gorgeous five-strand rainforest necklace is crafted by Amazonian artists from white acai, sterling silver, and sustainably harvested rainforest wood. A wear-anywhere necklace that can go from bikinis to cocktail dresses, it looks so great against a summer tan.

Social Biz Meets Social Media

July 30th, 2010

This is a BIG DAY for Elegant Roots. Maybe even a profound day.

Milyoni, Inc., (said like “million eye”), the leader in Social Commerce, announces a new social merchandising tool within its popular Conversational Commerce™ solution. Its new Instant Showcase allows users to conveniently purchase select products right on the Facebook wall.

Elegant Roots is about connections. Connections between an artisan and a customer. Connections between cultures. Connections between a customer’s green values and a customer’s purchases.

And Facebook is maybe the biggest way to connect, person-to-person, that has come along since the telephone. Facebook enables communities. Though they exist only on line, they are communities with interactions no less personal than the telephone. And remember the Six Degrees of Separation?

Well, a study by Microsoft based on 30 billion instant messages among 180 million people worldwide in one month concluded that “it takes just under seven steps to link every one in the world…on average, any two people are linked by fewer than seven acquaintances” (actually 6.6). Redorbit.com.

Facebook is a vehicle for unlimited connections and community creation.

Why is this so big for ElegantRoots.com? Because that’s where we connect.

Elegant Roots exists only online — in a dotcom store and in a facebook iFan shop. And ElegRoo exists only because of the “long tail” of the internet — that enough people browse to make it practical to offer products that only a slim percentage of people might want.

A little background is in order.

Elegant Roots, as an online boutique, exists to:

  • Bring hot, design-forward items that use artisan, traditional techniques on designs that appeal to the American market;
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  • Promote eco-consciousness and social justice by carrying only “green” products (eco-friendly and fair trade/fair labor);
  • Promote traditional arts and preserve traditional lifestyles by creating a market for jewelry, accessories and home decor;
  • Foster connections — making Personal through Story a direct connection between artisan and consumer, throughout the world, eliminating “middlemen” whenever possible; and
  • Promote transparency, so consumers will increasingly ask Who made this, Where it was made; of What it is made and under what conditions; and Why, beyond its beauty and function it aligns with the consumer’s values.
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    ElegRoo currently has somewhere over 4000 Facebook fans (or “likes”) from all around the world, (though we can presently ship only within the US). That’s 4000 people who connect with us nearly every day. And the growth is astonishing.

    Now, through Milyoni’s Instant Showcase, we can highlight to our facebook community a few of our wonderful, meaningful, artisan-made products. Our fans need not leave the Wall to buy. Connection remains intact.

    First up on ElegRoo’s Showcase are a few pieces of jewelry from [wired] designer Melissa Kolbusz – Hot earrings from repurposed Effen Vodka labels, Cool cuffs of repurposed rubber washers, and Design-Forward earrings of repurposed neoprene. Neodrop1 iFan 500x662

    Check out our Facebook community. “Like” us. You’re invited. Bring a friend.

    Five Fabulous Green Gifts for Leos

    July 27th, 2010

    One of the boldest signs of the zodiac, the Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) is a force to be reckoned with! Capable and creative, passionate and energetic, athletic and attention-seeking, and with confidence in spades, it might be easy to write off the Lion as overly vain or self-centered. But Leos are among the most altruistic signs of the Zodiac: they’re romantic, loyal, and often have a soft spot for children, animals, or both. You will often see a Leo on center stage, at the head of the boardroom, or seated in first class — but you’ll also see Leos forcefully leading the charge for causes that are near and dear to their hearts.

    Here are some gifts that are sure to appeal to this one-of-a-kind personality.

    GGecko_Rose_A_385x253The Leo lady likes to stand out and be noticed, and chic accessories with a “wow factor” always make great gifts for her. She’ll love this Artisan Silk Bopha Handbag from Green Gecko … it’s a simple and elegant handbag with a brash oversized rose that goes seamlessly from clubbing to cocktails to the red carpet. It’s hand-spun and hand-loomed under fair trade conditions, and supports Cambodian artisans.

    Estelle_Cuffs_XSimilarly, the Leo gentleman appreciates gifts that convey a powerful, classy image. Stephen Estelle, designer of eco-friendly fine jewelry, comes through beautifully with these simply stunning Labradorite and sterling-silver cufflinks. Hand-forged in a bold, masculine design, these cufflinks draw the eye and make a statement.

    TriSET_A-_ZM 350x350Another fabulous gift for a Sun Sign lady … dazzling 18K-gold and sterling jewelry. Again, Stephen Estelle delivers the perfect gift for this confident personality. The sophisticated design of Estelle’s “Montpellier” collection was created by the family that designed jewelry for Nepal’s Maharajas. So, it’s important enough to satisfy a Leo’s sense of royalty, yet playful enough to appeal to Leo’s sense of enjoyment and fun. Estelle’s jewelry is tailor-made for a Leo’s fiery spirit and appreciation for exquisite craftsmanship.

    Tuttio_Salad_C_385x321 breadTuttio_Set_A_385x312The proud Leo considers the home a reflection of him- or herself, so gifts for the home should be unique, elegant, and command attention. One perfect example are these artisan hand-thrown ceramic items from Italy: the Dipping Bowl and the Wine Set, both by Tutto Mio. Leos who entertain at home will appreciate their high standards of quality and taste. After all, you can’t expect a Leo host or hostess to serve wine or hors d’oeuvres from anything less than spectacular, can you?

    PuppetSet_XAs for the little lion cubs: if there’s one thing Leo children love to do, it’s put on a show. With creativity and enthusiasm to spare, little Leos can always use some direction in harnessing their imagination. They will love to entertain family and friends with these organic, hand-knit “African Critters” puppets from Kenya (now on sale). Yes, the set of four includes a lion, naturally!

    Of course the most important thing to remember about Leos is: Never forget their birthdays! Happy Birthday, Leo!

    Spotlight On: African Artisan Collectives

    July 16th, 2010

    All the rich cultures, colors and textures of the African continent are expressed so beautifully in the artworks made by tribal artisans. Elegant Roots is proud to work with fair-trade collectives across Africa to help bring some of their stunning creations to North America. How lucky we are to support these talented people and keep them at work, doing what they love.

    CREATIVE WOMEN — Founded by one-woman dynamo Ellen Dorsch, Creative Women brings us the exquisite textile craftsmanship of Ethiopia and Swaziland. A company that provides work training and excellent pay to talented women, Creative Women is known for its luxurious mohair and vibrant silk items through its luxury Sabahar line. By pairing fashion-forward Western designs with traditional African craftsmanship, Creative Women merges cultures beautifully.

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    DWELLING — Connecticut product development consultant Gloria Delaney was traveling in Kenya where she discovered artisans creating remarkable handcrafted items, such as gorgeous bowls carved from a single piece of sustainably harvested olivewood. She also tapped into a women’s knitting collective to bring huggable handmade plush toys to children in the U.S. Gloria has gone far beyond just providing economic opportunities to artists — she and Dwelling strongly support literacy, health and other programs for the well-being of the workers and their families.Dwelling_3wDwelling_2w


    TRIBAL HOME — This U.S.-based company brings us the work of amazing Zulu Master Weavers from South Africa. Tribal Home’s three founding partners discovered these women in the remote KwaZulu-Natal Province, skilled in the traditional art of weaving watertight Zulu baskets but unable to make a living from it. Tribal Home introduced the baskets to the Western market — where they’ve been selling so successfully that the weavers can now support their families and keep these traditional Zulu crafts alive.

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    Five (Good) Reasons to Switch to Organic Cotton

    June 28th, 2010

    Why take the time to seek out and pay a bit more for organic cotton when regular, run-of-the-mill cotton products are so easily available?

    It all comes down to one thing … environment.

    The cotton industry is among the world’s biggest users of pesticide. Cotton takes up only 3% of the world’s farmland, yet uses 25% of the world’s pesticides. That’s why choosing organic cotton products can make an exponentially bigger difference in terms of positive impact.

    Organic cotton means less pesticide contamination for:

    The Ecosystem. A whopping 90% of the pesticides sprayed on mass-produced cotton leaches into the soil, groundwater, and is released into the air.

    People and Animals. All these pesticides in the earth are absorbed in turn by living creatures — in the air we breathe, in the water we drink, and in the plants we eat.

    Our Food. Not only does pesticide contaminate our fruits, veggies and herbs — but food animals consume pesticide-tainted food and water. So their milk, meat, and eggs are tainted too.

    Another problem is fertilizers: in the U.S., nearly a 1/3 pound of synthetic fertilizers is used to produce one pound of raw cotton. And nearly a pound of raw cotton goes into making a single tee-shirt.

    Through leaching and runoff, synthetic fertilizers foul our freshwater habitats, wells, and rivers. And even before the BP oil gusher, the Gulf near New Orleans suffered an annual “dead spot” largely the result of fertilizer run-off from the farms along the Mississippi.

    Organic farming instead uses natural fertilizers that nearly eliminate pollution, runoff, and leaching. We’re talking hug impact!

    Switching to organic cotton also prevents:

    Chemical Allergies and Illnesses. Non-organic cotton still has chemical residue from pesticides, and our skin absorbs these toxins. This can cause irritation, rashes, hives, breathing difficulties, eye problems and aggravation of other existing conditions. For people with sensitive skin, organic cotton is a godsend.

    Research has shown that pesticides block our hormonal and endocrine systems, wreaking havoc with our health. And 47% of pesticides have been identified as potential cancer-causing agents.

    Social Injustice. Cotton workers are traditionally among the most economically challenged populations, and suffer the most exposure to these harmful pesticides. In some countries, pregnant women, nursing mothers and even children work for cotton producers and suffer health and developmental problems as a result. Poor health is one of the factors that keeps impoverished people trapped in the cycle of poverty.

    Here are some truly great organic-cotton products Elegant Roots has found:

    Organic Cotton Baby Ensemble by Dimples

    Handmade Extra Soft Organic Cotton Blanket by Marcel Miller

    All of Elegant Roots’ gifts are wrapped free of charge with our eco-friendly gift wrap … which includes a lovely organic cotton ribbon!

    Five Fabulous Green Gifts For Cancers

    June 22nd, 2010

    Now that we’ve moved into the sun sign of Cancer the Crab (June 21-July 20), it’s time to celebrate the birthdays of these emotional, perceptive and sensitive Moon Children! Cancers will tell you that “any gift is special, as long as it’s from YOU” … but we all know there are certain items that will put a glint in a Cancer’s eye! So we’ve found some gorgeous green gifts that will delight a wide variety of Moon Children.

    Swirl Earrings and pendant 385x280Emotions run deep in those born under the Cancer sun sign. While they often project a confident personality, Cancers are gentle souls whose emotions perhaps affect them more than the average person. This is why the “spiral” shape is most often associated with Cancers. The spiral is a symbol of constant energy, forever turning inward. Because silver is the Cancer element, we think these amazing recycled sterling-silver spiral jewelry pieces by C5 are ideal for the introspective and thoughtful Cancer. Handmade in a fair-labor studio in Bali, no two of these pieces are exactly alike.

    StephenEMoonlightA2 385x338Like the Moon Children they are, Cancers are physically and mentally affected by the moon like no other sign in the zodiac. Their moods can directly correspond to the waxing and waning lunar cycles. A beautiful clear moon in the night sky gives Cancer a sense of spiritual peace. Celebrate the Cancer’s intimate relationship to her ruling Moon with acclaimed jewelry artist Stephen Estelle’s “Moonlight” collection. These enchanting fine jewelry pieces are made from sterling silver and smoky quartz, renowned for promoting balance and harmony. Handcrafted by the artisan family that created jewelry for Nepal’s Maharajahs, these stunning pieces are guaranteed for life.

    Tuttio_Both_A_385x353While Cancers may travel far and wide, and enjoy success in a variety of pursuits — career, sports, arts, hobbies, or academics — their hearts will always remain at home. The home is the safe “shell” that Crabs need in order to stay centered and on track. Cancers have a deep connection to everyday items that help to nurture and sustain them, and they love practical household items that have a sense of artistry or history. We think Cancers will love these Tutto Mio ceramic noodle bowls, hand-thrown in Italy’s Umbria region by artists practicing ancient and revered Italian ceramic arts. These non-toxic and gorgeous bowls can be brought out for special occasions, showcased as a display bowl for other lovely items, or simply used on the dinner table every single night.

    CitrusSet_A_375x311Cancers are known as caretakers who will often put other people’s needs before theirs. It’s a hard habit for them to break, and this is why Cancers truly appreciate gifts that let them indulge and care for themselves for a change! Check out this all-natural botanical Spa Set from Pharmacopia: it contains items that can be used every day (lip balm, shea butter hand cream) or for times when he or she could use some extra relaxation (massage & body oil, bath salts). Choose from intoxicating aromatherapeutic Citrus or Ginger scents that are suitable for both men and women.

    YakMtnXFinally, Cancer babies and children are loving little beings who are highly sensitive to their surroundings — so much so that they may need more nurturing and soothing than other kids. Cancer children tend to cling to “security” items like cuddly toys and blankets — anything that comforts them and makes them feel loved wherever they are. These Fair Trade Certified cashmere baby blankets by Yak Mountain are 100 percent natural, non-toxic, downy-soft and, at a generous 36” by 44”, is one of the few items that a Cancer baby can use throughout childhood. It may not be a shiny toy or fast-paced game, but it will be a well-loved possession that will stay with a Cancer for life. Hand-loomed by Tibetan artisans from humanely harvested natural fibers, this gorgeous hand-washable blanket is an heirloom gift that can be passed along to the next generation.

    Whatever the gift, you can be sure that if you put some thought and consideration into a Cancer’s birthday present, he or she will cherish and appreciate it for a long, long time! Happy Birthday, Cancer!

    Five Eco-Friendly Gifts for Baby

    June 15th, 2010

    A new baby is one of the most delightful reasons to buy a gift — but it’s not always easy to choose an item that will please a picky parent. Here is a roundup of five thoughtful gifts we’ve found that are all-natural, non-toxic, high-quality and gentle enough to meet the standards of any new mom or dad.

    ButtNakedBaby_X-01All-Natural Organic Baby Care Set by Butt Naked Baby — We’d call it a “spa set” for baby, because the ingredients are so luxurious … but some of the items here are really necessary! All the products in this fabulous six-piece gift set are responsibly handcrafted in small batches in the USA, using only the best organic ingredients. There are no skin-irritating fragrances, parabens, mineral oils or dyes; rather, this lush and sustainable gift set looks and smells clean and natural. The set comes with Moisture Milk lotion, Healing Baby Powder, moisturizing Baby Balm Stick, soothing and protecting Diaper Balm and relaxing/hydrating Baby Oil. It’s all wrapped up in an organic-cotton “Butt Rug” that can be used as a diaper, burp cloth or changing pad. These trustworthy products are among the finest we’ve found for baby.

    DreamSacks_Blanket_XaDowny-Soft Bamboo Baby Blankets by Dreamsacks — Once you feel these buttery-soft blankets and learn about their fabulous qualities, you won’t want to swaddle baby in anything else. These lovely loom-woven blankets are naturally antibacterial, hypoallergenic, breathable and moisture-wicking. Luxuriously soft, light, warm and comfortable, Bamboo Baby Blankets are loom-woven from 100 percent pesticide-free bamboo — harvested responsibly from renewable forests and crafted under fair-trade conditions. Choose from several colors.

    Dimples_OrganicSet_X-01Organic Cotton Baby Ensemble by Dimples — We just love this gorgeous 3-piece newborn set made from 100 percent organic cotton. And it’s not just us — Babble.com calls it “absolutely beautiful — so soft and snuggly … exactly how I want to bring [new baby] home.” Ecofabulous.com agrees: “Magnificent newborn gift.” The all-natural ensemble has a swaddling blanket, a playsack with drawstring tie, and a cap with flaps for those sweet little ears. The soft cotton contains no pesticides or chemical treatments whatsoever: gentle, handcrafted and using only non-toxic dyes, it’s nothing but softness against baby’s sensitive skin. Choose from the gorgeous hand-embroidered striped “Bee” or “Rose” designs in size 0-3 months.

    BabyShokay385x260Fair-Trade Luxury Baby Hoodie/ Booties by Shokay These beautiful, soft-as-cashmere hoodie, booties and rattle set is woven from the sustainable “new luxury fiber” — yak down! Tibetan yak herders have been humanely harvesting the rugged animals’ luxurious, downy undercoat for generations, but only recently has this sumptuous fabric been available in the Western market. This set is gorgeous, handcrafted and will be the softest, warmest items in baby’s layette; they’re hand-washable and feel like cashmere. Treated only with nontoxic, low-impact dyes, this heirloom-quality baby set contains a sweet hoodie with an “eternity knot” clasp, snuggly booties with plush pom-poms, and a soft rattle in “Bee” or “Bug” design. This is not only a gorgeous and memorable gift, but it supports Tibetan herders and weavers in fair-labor conditions.

    EnGry_PoliceCars_XEnGry_PrincessHorse_XFair-Trade Wool Car Set or Plush Pony by En Gry and Sif— We just love En Gry and Sif, a business started by two wonderful Danish sisters whose charming baby-and-kid products employ excellent design, strict eco-friendly standards and top-notch craftsmanship by women artisans in Nepal. Non-toxic toys are a wonderful gift, and En Gry and Sif’s fun Wool Car Set and Plush Pony toys are soft, safe, easy to grasp, cute and colorful enough to delight both babies and toddlers. They’re made with 100 percent wool-felt and colored with gentle low-impact dyes. The two-piece car set comes with a Police Car and Ambulance; the Plush Pony is tan with pink spots and a yarn mane.

    Five Fantastic Eco-Friendly Gifts for Dad

    June 8th, 2010

    Father’s Day is just around the corner and we know it’s sometimes tough to find a high-quality gift that he will really love. So Elegant Roots has rounded up some fantastic, unique green gifts that will appeal to a variety of Dads of all ages. Check it out:

    RetreadWallet_XRecycled Rubber Eco-Wallet by English Retreads — Dad’s always digging out his wallet for something — he might as well have a cool, dynamic and incredibly durable wallet like this! Made from the recycled rubber of inner tubes, this English Retreads wallet is a practical gift with a punch.

    Prosperity_A_385x315Thai Silver “Prosperity” Dog Tag by Pineapple Seed — If you’re shopping for a young or young-at-heart dad with style and a sense of purpose, this rugged dog tag with the Thai word for “prosperity” is a one-of-a-kind Father’s Day gift he’ll wear every day. (The sterling-silver luster looks great against a summer tan!)

    Estelle_Cuffs_XArtisan Labradorite & Sterling Silver Cufflinks by Stephen Estelle — Maybe he has a special event coming up, or maybe great cufflinks are part of his regular attire. Either way, these striking cufflinks, hand-crafted under fair-labor conditions by Nepali artisans, are exquisite reminders of what a fabulous Dad he really is.

    EtcetraMedia_XSustainable Wool Laptop/Messenger Bag by Etcetera Media — Handmade from sustainable Blackstone Wool, this durable eco-bag in the classic messenger style can carry laptops, documents, office supplies, or anything else that goes in a “man bag.”  Quality is the name of the game here.

    Handcrafted Zulu “Iquamba” Beer Basket by Nozipho — This water-tight basket, hand-woven by an African artisan, is designed to store Zulu beer. Sure, Dad can use it for that — or he can use it as a high-quality storage solution for home or office. Men who like organization and who care about their surroundings would appreciate this gorgeous, yet practical, museum-quality piece.Picture 2