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

Yunus, Social Business, and Elegant Roots

June 7th, 2010

Creating A World 150x200 I just finished reading Creating A World Without Poverty by Muhammad Yunus, the gentleman who created micro-credit and won a Nobel Peace prize for his micro-credit work in Bangladesh. The book is the most inspiring business book I have ever read. Part One, especially, created a one-person think-tank brainstorm in this head.

Dr. Yunus is a visionary AND he’s a hands-on practitioner committed to transforming his homeland through outside-the-box thinking, flexibility and effective implementation. Brings to mind a modification of the old Sinatra refrain from New York, New York: “If he can do it there, we can do it everywhere.”

Do what? you might ask. Use business to tackle social problems. Micro-credit is an inspired notion and an effective reality. ElegRoo supports micro-credit through the totally great KIVA.org.

But we at ElegRoo are taking a lead from Dr. Yunus beyond micro-credit. In Creating A World Without Poverty, Dr. Yunus proposes the idea of “social businesses”, that is, businesses organized as for-profit enterprises, but whose sole goals are to achieve some social benefit. All profits are plowed back into the company. Investors receive no dividends, no profits whatever. They can expect to receive back their initial investment and will still own the company and direct its efforts.

A “social business” must compete head-to-head with ordinary for-profits by dint of the value of its products and/or services.

LuAnne Speeter reports that “[65%] of consumers believe businesses are responsible for having a greater social purpose beyond profit … that businesses have a shared responsibility to address and solve today’s social and environmental issues through a blending of social initiatives and business operations.”

But other attempts at formalizing business commitments to social issues, like B Corporations, are hybrids that attempt to serve two masters — social benefit and investor profit. Dr. Yunus predicts that, at some point, each of these hybrids will face a choice, and that investor profits will prevail. No such Hobson’s Choice can afflict a “social business” — investor profit motive is simply not present to diverge from the social benefit motive.

100% of the ownership of Elegant Roots agrees with these notions and believes also that the vision and mission for Elegant Roots [to promote social justice and eco-consciousness by providing a market for goods that further these goals] fits squarely within the notion of “social business” propounded by the good Dr. Yunus.

100% percent of the ownership has directed that ElegRoo management begin the process of formally converting Elegant Roots into a “social business.” Watch this blog for the ANNOUNCEMENT when the conversion is complete.

World Environment Day

June 4th, 2010

World Environment Day (WED) is June 5. It began on that day in 1972 when the UN Conference on the Human Environment began. The First WED was celebrated on June 5, 1973. The day calls attention to the environment and is intended to stimulate political and public action. Each year WED is hosted by a different city/country, commemorating a different theme.

For 2010, the host is Rwanda and the theme is “Many Species. One Planet. One Future”, celebrating the thrilling diversity of life on Earth as part of the 2010 International Year of Biodiversity.

Around the globe people will hold all sorts of activities to recognize the day — while people of the US Gulf Coast regions fight the massive petroleum spew from BP’s mile-deep sea-bed well; while animals are tarred with the inescapable goo-tide; and wetlands are turned to sludge.

On this day, we can celebrate a traditional human interaction with the natural world that creates a thing of beauty and function — without any petroleum, no plastic, no chemical processing. AfricanBasket2_A_TN

The Zulu are one of only two peoples on the earth who create water-tight baskets. (The other are natives of Central America.) Zulu weavers use only grasses native to their KwaZulu-Natal homeland and local ilala palm, dyed using only natural, locally-derived vegetable dyes.

This weaving is traditional with the Zulu people, though was once a male-oriented skill. Different shaped baskets are designed for local beer, others for seeds, grains, greens, all purposes imaginable. But then the men were taken to work the mines and imported tin vessels replaced the baskets — the art nearly died out. In the early 70s, a missionary organized weaving classes after Sunday services and enlisted four female master weavers to teach at what became known as the Vukani workshops (named for the missionary). AfricanBasket1_A 385x305

Traditional skills were passed along; new designs and colors were created; an art form was saved that sustainably uses a few of the great diversity of earth’s species. Over the decades since, many weavers have reached Master-level status, had their work displayed in museums around the world and create astounding works of beauty.

Of the original four teachers at the Vukani workshops, one remains — and she still weaves. That living treasure of Zulu basketry is Laurentia Dlamini. AfricanBasket3_A 385x274

On World Environment Day, let’s celebrate the diversity of species on our earth — and the diversity of people and their creations without petroleum.

Wood You Support Sustainable Harvesting?

June 2nd, 2010

Wood is one of the most practical, useful and beautiful elements on earth, suitable for everything from building construction to high-fashion jewelry. But as with any natural resource, exploitative harvesting of wood can exact too great a price.

Rain forests around the world are being destroyed at an alarming rate, and two of the biggest culprits are timber logging and farming. The solution? Create financial incentives for locals to preserve the rain forest. Luckily, there is growing awareness and a bigger market for sustainably harvested wood. That means wood that’s collected on a small scale by responsible harvesters, or recycled from other products.

When you look for artisan items made from sustainable wood, you support a market for alternative and responsible uses of this land. This also puts talented artists to work, doing what they love.

Here are a few awesome items we found that prove our point: Sustainable wood is fabulous!

Olivewood “S” Bowl and Service Set by Dwelling — No two pieces are alike, as the dramatic and gorgeous swirls of the olivewood are unique to each one. Hand-carved by artisans in Kenya, these sustainable Dwelling pieces make great gifts for weddings, bridal showers, cooks, foodies, domestic divas and anyone who appreciates beautiful wood pieces.

Rainforest Wood & Seed Jewelry by Rainforest Native — This versatile 3-strand bracelet and earrings set can be worn every day and is perfect for women who want to look effortlessly chic. Rainforest Native uses only organic, sustainably harvested South American materials and donates a portion of its profits to charities dedicated to conservation and reforestation.

Sterling Silver & Sathorn Wood Cufflinks by Pineapple Seed — Putting Thai artisans to work in fair-trade conditions, Pineapple Seed combines modern design concepts with traditional Thai artistry. These cufflinks are made from brushed silver and reclaimed sathorn wood in a powerful, masculine design.

Jewelry Trend: push presents

May 26th, 2010

[This article was written by Elegant Roots' friend and designer of our Avenue Green Collection from C5 company, Meghan Connolly Haupt, and originally posted on Meghan's blog. Thanks Meghan for letting us share this with our readers. We have added the Images: Swirl Necklace by C5; El Corazon by Julio Pagliani; and Circle Pendant by C5.] 0102_1 Swirl Necklace 200x282

A “push present” is a gift that a person gives to their partner (the new mom) when she has a baby. Having a baby has always been cause for celebration, but in recent years, more and more women expect and receive a piece of jewelry to commemorate the event. Many women believe that a nice piece of fine jewelry is the least she should get in exchange for 9 months of discomfort that ends in hours of extreme pain.

A 2007 survey of over 30,000 respondents by BabyCenter.com found that 38% of new mothers received a push present, and 55% of pregnant mothers wanted one, though fewer thought it was actually expected.

While I am not fond of the term “push present,” a gift of jewelry is always a terrific way to mark a significant event in life, such as having a baby. Most likely, any jewelry associated with such a wonderful event will be proudly worn and then passed down for generations to come. ElCorazon_A_385x385

Whether it is a necklace, ring, earrings or bracelet, consider a piece that is fair-trade or ethically sourced. It doesn’t have to be expensive, but by being sustainable, it will be that much more special. 0103_1 Circle Pendant 150x150

[Elegant Roots offers many choices for the perfect "push present." Heirloom-quality pieces are the best -- timeless design, timeless quality, including pieces from the Avenue Green Collection.]

Elegant Roots’ FB Fans: Relax, You Are Secure

May 25th, 2010

Facebook privacy has the been the talk on lots of media lately. Some of the complaints raised make no sense; some are impossible to discern; and some may very well be valid — BUT — Elegant Roots’ facebook shop customers can RELAX.

Facebook does not have access to any information provided during an Elegant Roots’ customer’s session in Elegant Roots’ Facebook Shop.

The Elegant Roots Facebook Shop was created by and is powered by Milyon*i. During checkout, our customer’s connection is encrypted, so Facebook cannot possibly see any part of the Checkout process or the information provided during Checkout. Even if Facebook was being more devious than claimed, we can say without reservation: Facebook does not have access to the financial or identity information provided during Elegant Roots Checkout. For technical detail, check out the Milyon*i blog.

Their quick answer is “rest assured you are secure.” When you have finished selecting products and start to check out, the pages are secured. Each step in the Elegant Roots Facebook Shop (#1 – Billing and Shipping Information, #2 – Shipping Method, #3 – Transaction, #4 Completion and Registration) is protected with up to 256-bit Secure Socket Layer encryption. FACEBOOK CAN’T ACCESS IT!

Bottom line — whatever the validity of privacy concerns re Facebook — they don’t apply to a transaction on the Elegant Roots Facebook Shop.

More on Elegant Roots’ Privacy commitments and procedures.