The 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.

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

At 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.

Beach 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.

Rainforest 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.

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.

-

-

-

-

-

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.

–

–

–

–

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.

While some might consider these conditions “limiting,” the truth is they actually open up new outlets for creativity, and lead an artist or designer toward cool new possibilities they might not otherwise have discovered. When an artist can create something beautiful out of materials that are ordinary, industrial, or even waste products, the results are original and awesome.

Check out five of our favorite fashion finds, just in time for spring.

…

“HOOKED-RUG” RECYCLED PURSE by Be Sweet — The South African women artisans of Be Sweet have long been making gorgeous mohair scarves (humanely harvested from angora goats). But only recently did they start making items out of castoffs from T-shirt manufacture. These cotton remnants became the basis for this fantastic honeycomb purse in splashy colors.

STUDDED HANDMADE SILK WALLET by Green Gecko — When the weather warms up, the smaller and lighter purses come out, and that’s when you need a lightweight yet durable, functional and pretty wallet. These silk and silver-studded wallets fit the bill beautifully. Green Gecko sources these handspun, hand-loomed and hand-sewn iridescent wallets from a cooperative in Cambodia that provides jobs to economically marginalized women. (Click here to see the matching totes.)

RECYCLED DEPRESSION GLASS JEWELRY by Bottled Up — “Depression glass” is clear or lightly colored glassware that had been distributed free or quite cheaply in the United States around the time of the Great Depression. Though the patterned glass was inexpensive in the 1930s, Depression Glass has become a hot commodity as a collectible in modern times, and is getting harder and harder to find. That makes these lovely recycled earrings and pendant, made from found glass castoffs, that much more special.

GLASS & EMBROIDERED “KAKADOO” COLLECTION by Dori Csengeri — We’re huge fans of jewelry artist Dori Csengeri, whose stunning embroidered jewelry designs have been seen on red carpets, fashion magazines and high-profile clients such as Sienna Miller. These treasures of color and texture are crafted at Dori’s fair-labor atelier in Israel, where women use traditional sewing and beading methods to execute Dori’s fashion-forward design visions.

RECYCLED RUBBER & STEEL CUFF and NECKLACE by [wired] — Who knew castoff rubber washers and reclaimed stainless steel could look so good? Perfect accessories for a little black dress or sexy jeans and a tank top, these “industrial chic” pieces stretch and bend, reduce waste and save landfills. And you’d better believe they are durable!

How you spend your money is one of the most powerful ways you can make a statement or express your opinion. When you “buy with intent,” you support businesses working hard to pave the way for the environmentally and socially responsible world commerce we need, right now and for the future. And you send a signal to exploitative businesses that you, and your money, support better alternatives.

Let’s break it down:

1. Liberty and Social Justice for All. Let’s say you’re buying a basket woven by a master Zulu artisan, or a tote bag hand-crafted in Ethopia — you’re holding a bit of history. These pieces are contemporary items but made with traditional craftsmanship and practices that go back many generations. Putting these exquisite pieces on the global market at fair-market prices keeps artisans all over the world busy, working under joyful conditions, and able to earn a good income. All that strengthens families and communities — and keeps these cultural arts alive.

2. Takin’ Care of (Eco-Friendly) Business. By supporting companies that use responsibly harvested products and practices; clean energy; non-toxic and organic materials; recycled packing materials; green buildings and vehicles, and other sustainable methods, you make it possible for ecologically responsible businesspeople to compete with mass-market competitors. And the more pressure is put on companies worldwide to “go green,” the better off we all are.

3. Love Your Mother (Earth) And All The Critters. Companies that work with cruelty-free products, non-toxic dyes, humanely harvested materials, recycled ingredients, and other low- or no-impact elements … need your love! As more demand is created for products like this, more companies will respond — until cruelty-free and non-toxic becomes the standard. We can live beautifully with recycled, sustainable products that don’t harm animals or our planet. Want proof? Just check out our elegant jewelry or luxury travel sets, or feather-light, cashmere-soft scarves.

4. Joy, Baby, Joy — The very nature of artisan and hand-crafted items demands that they are made with care, by someone involved and engaged in what they are crafting. If it’s too hippie-trippy to say that items made with love are imbued with a very cool and special energy — than I guess we’re a bunch of raging hippies over here, because they really are. Whether it’s a necklace you wear or a glass ornament you display — if love went into an item, it is always apparent. This is something that simply can’t be found in a mass-produced gift.

5. A Healthier You, Too — Buying organic, sustainable, responsibly harvested and non-toxic products doesn’t just benefit Mother Earth … it makes you healthier, too. There’s too much evidence to name here that points to the fact that industrial dyes, pesticides, hormones, and other chemicals are harmful to human health and wellness (but this is a good site on the subject). A fully healthy lifestyle requires us to use products that don’t compromise our health or sag our energy.

You and your dollars are key to the process of saving the planet — one purse at a time.

THE SUPERMOM — She organizes the Girl Scout cookie drive, writes a grant proposal, updates her blog, picks up the dry cleaning and gets the oil changed … and then it’s time for lunch. Then it’s off to yoga and volunteering at the nursing home before coming home, bathing the dog and trying out a new recipe for coq au vin.

We’ve never met a Supermom who couldn’t use an amazing tote bag — she definitely has a ton of stuff to carry, and she wants to do it in style. Check out these lovely totes, all made from recycled, organic and/or eco-friendly materials: the handcrafted Ethiopian tote bag (left) by the fantastic artisan’s collective Creative Women, or the handcrafted Cambodian silk tote (right) by Green Gecko (with matching wallets available).

THE DOMESTIC DIVA — Mom’s home is her castle. Even if she’s traveled the far corners of the globe, she can’t wait to come back to her own little corner of the world. She’d far prefer to entertain at her house than go out, and she would say a home-cooked meal beats dining out by a mile.

Help her feather her nest with lovely, nontoxic, gentle-to-the-earth home decorations. She can store just about anything in these beautiful yet functional Zulu Iquoma canister baskets. They’re a fantastic storage solution: museum-quality, crafted from natural grasses by Zulu Master Weaver Lauentia Dlamini (inset). Or, she can snuggle up under a gorgeous handcrafted mohair lap throw by Creative Women. When it’s not keeping her legs toasty, it’s a stunning complement to a room when draped over a chair or sofa.

THE C.E.O. MOM — She loves her work, she loves her family, and all her time and energy go into those two things. She puts on her “Mom Face” at the office every time she negotiates, mediates or delegates, and she brings her “Office Face” home whenever she has to organize, prioritize or show the kids who’s boss.

This mom would love an eco-friendly Blackstone Sustainable Wool Laptop/Messenger Bag. It’s sleek, chic and high-quality, and versatile enough to be used as everything from a laptop case or executive carry-all to an oversized purse or stylish diaper bag. Or, delight her with these yummy aromatherapy soy-wax candles by Kokoro. Whether she’s unstressing at her desk or in her bathtub, she’ll love the soothing scents of the all-natural essential oils used in these award-winning candles.

THE ACTIVIST MOM — Wherever her beliefs lie, this mom is a fountain of information, facts, questions, and solutions. She’ll go door-to-door to gather signatures for a pet cause, walk or run miles for her favorite charity, or stuff envelopes for her preferred candidate. She’s aware of all the issues that might affect her or her family, and feels strongly that “change begins at home.”

This mom can jot down notes, lists, appointments, ideas or brilliant thoughts in an all-natural, made-in-the-USA handmade pewter/leather journal by Oberon (Shown: Celic Knot). With different styles to fit her personality, these journals are as beautiful as they are useful. She’d also appreciate a sumptuous handmade organic cotton throw by Marcel Miller: eco-friendly and downy soft, it’s free of chemical dyes and perfect for sensitive skin or allergies — nothing but comfort.

THE HIP MOM — Her wardrobe is straight off the runways, and she can stand, dance or walk for hours in high heels. This Mom had the newest version of the iPod before you did, can talk knowledgeably about anything from politics to pop culture, and is constantly being mistaken for your sister or trendy aunt.

She’d love some of these unique recycled accessories that are as cool and different as she is: a gorgeously simple silver and recycled chardonnay bottle necklace by Smart Glass, or English Retread’s funky Reclaimed Rubber handbag.

We’re confident that Elegant Roots has something for every mom: all gift-wrapped beautifully (and free of charge) in eco-friendly packaging.

All Elegant Roots gifts come beautifully packaged using organic and recycled gift wraps, free of charge, straight from the eco-friendly facilities who partner with us.

GOAT’S BEARD SEED ORBS by Seed Shaman

Seed Orbs allow a stunning glimpse into a secret of nature. Artist Richard Solomon, the “Seed Shaman,” hand-harvests seed pods from the “goat’s beard” plant and allows them to bloom in American-made glass globes. All vary in size, color, and number of seeds. Your Seed Orb can be placed atop glasses or grouped in glass bowls. Attach the hanging-cap and create a stunning ornament for the holidays or every day. This will delight all plant or nature lovers, gardeners, or anyone else who appreciates uniquely beautiful home accessories.

CIRCLES FROM AVENUE GREEN COLLECTION by C5
If your mom is classic, elegant, smart and one-of-a-kind, she’ll love Avenue Green’s “Circles” collection. Each piece is handmade in Bali from 100 percent reclaimed sterling silver, weaving design surprises into sleek and simple modern lines. These pieces are inspired by NYC’s South Bronx neighborhood, where multicultural urban living meets the natural beauty of the Bronx Zoo and Botanical Gardens.

HANDMADE ETHIOPIAN TOTE BAGS by Creative Women

These totes may look beautiful (and they are). but don’t be fooled — they’re durable and functional, as they’re crafted with green materials including an Egyptian cotton/rayon textile woven for strength and luster. Mom can use it a purse, exercise tote, knitting/ crafts bag, reuseable shopping bag, or in any other way that suits her lifestyle. These chic bags are crafted with care by Creative Women, a fair-trade women’s artisan collective in Ethiopia that gives its members rare opportunities for economic independence. Your mom’s gift will support other mothers and grandmothers in places of the world where good jobs are scarce.

KAKADOO JEWELRY by Dori Csengeri

Dori Csengeri’s vibrant jewelry is as bold and beautiful as the women who wear it, and has been showcased in Vogue, Glamour, Marie Claire and In Style. A gift from the Kakadoo Collection is equally appropriate for lively moms who command attention, or understated moms who want to add a pop of color to basic black. Designer Dori Csengeri produces this stunning line in Israel with other talented artists, using eco- conscious materials — gifts created for amazing women by amazing women.

NATURAL TRANQUILITY SPA SET by Sonoma Lavender

What better gift for Mom than refreshment and relaxation for a sore back, knotted neck or tired feet? Organic cotton booties and a body heatwrap come with organic lavender-and-flaxseed inserts, and are microwaveable for instant warmth. Mom will feel the tension drain away when she applies scented, aromatherapeutic heat at the end of a tiring day. Lavender is a universally appealing fragrance, and this Natural Lavender Footbalm is made with organic lavender from a Sonoma County, California family farm.

An item made with joy, by talented artisans, infuses love into your Mother’s Day gift. We can’t think of anything more appropriate for Mom.

Today we applaud Ellen Dorsch, founder of Creative Women.

Some people are blessed with a bounty of energy and intellectual verve. Ellen Dorsch is clearly one of the lucky. At 60, Ellen changed careers from the non-profit public health sector to starting her own international business. She tackled a steep learning curve and overcame some interesting bumps along the way. Now, Ellen’s Creative Women, a member of the Fair Trade Federation sells wonderful Ethiopian, Swazi and Afghan textiles throughout the USA and Canada.

Click here to see Creative Women’s fabulous totes on our Facebook iFanstore.

Ellen has a Masters in public health, planning and developing. Her work with a non-profit public health organization took Ellen to Africa. In Ethiopia she found an economy wracked by years of instability. She quickly recognized that the wonderful people she met needed medical support but also a better means of earning a living. Ellen saw that many talented women were economically marginalized and that Ethiopia’s exquisite hand-embroidered textiles were under-marketed internationally.

Ellen’s business and humanitarian idea sprang to full life when she met Menbere Alemayehu, a fashion designer who owned an established dress-making business, Menby’s Designs. Both women knew that they could make a positive difference if they were able to create more employment opportunities for Ethiopian women. To meet that goal, Ellen partnered with Menbere to launch Creative Women. ” I founded Creative Women because I love beautiful things; I want to make a real difference in women’s lives; and I’m fascinated by travel. Creative Women allows me to do all three…by buying directly from women-owned businesses, by expanding markets for hand-woven textiles, and by paying fair prices for our goods.”

The heart of Creative Women remains Ellen’s well-founded conviction that long-lasting improvement in people’s lives results from commerce—job creation through viable business. Since its beginning, Ellen, with the support of her husband Bill, has used that humanitarian principle to grow Creative Women and its positive impact on the economic lives of African and now Afghan, women by forming additional partnerships in Ethiopia, Swaziland, and Kabul.

As an example, Ellen works closely with Kathy Marshall, of Sabahar, to obtain top quality silk. Kathy previously worked in Ethiopia through Oxfam Canada and shares Ellen’s belief in the benefits of commerce. As part of her business, Kathy provides training and jobs for otherwise unemployable Ethiopian women. Eschewing imported commercial silk, Kathy employs more than 60 women under excellent pay and working conditions to tend cocoons and spin raw silk into wonderful cloth.

Click here to see Creative Women’s offerings on ElegantRoots.com

Ellen found yet another partner in Swaziland. Murrae Stephens operates a family-run mohair business (named Coral Stephens), employing 60 women weavers who are given excellent pay and working conditions, including daycare and other benefits. And Ellen has added and hopes to continue adding new, socially responsible African partners as Creative Women expands.

Providing wonderful new jobs for economically-needy African women is but half the Creative Women success equation. Ellen knows that economic gains cannot be sustained unless Creative Women is producing commercially viable products. So Ellen and her partners work hard to design fresh and beautiful textiles handcrafted with the highest quality, eco-friendly materials. The result is nothing short of fantastic. Creative Women has become known for its hand-woven, vibrantly-colored mohair and hand-spun silk, all made with natural dyes from flowers, roots, berries and bark.

Ellen Dorsch “founded Creative Women as a way to create jobs in Ethiopia and sustain an ancient art form by introducing the West to the beauty of Ethiopian textiles.” Every day she proves that everyone from producer to consumer benefits from commercial viability conducted within a “respectful relationship” that is fostered by “a socially responsible link”.

Ellen’s success stories abound. We particularly liked the story of an artisan who used her Sabahar income to have long-needed dental work. Her joy and pride is plainly visible in her “success smile.”

We salute Ellen and her Creative Women partners for their humanitarian work and extraordinarily beautiful Ethiopian, Swazi and Afghan textiles! Creative Women’s hand work, high fashion designs and natural and sustainable materials combine to produce unsurpassed quality with a certain soulful, personal touch.

Hasta martes!

Today, though, it’s about the nature of social enterprise. Social enterprise blurs the distinction between “not-for-profit” and “for profit” entities. For-profit social enterprises, though organized to realize a profit, are not organized to maximize profit. Rather, the moving force is the notion that commercial viability through the opening of markets for economically marginalized people creates a strong, resilient and vibrant level of security and stability that improve all facets of life: nutrition, health, independence, education, etc.

The elegant notion at ElegantRoots.com, from which we take our name, is that a people’s traditional arts when applied to a commercially viable design creates a win-win for artisan and recipient. But only when a market can be opened and maintained for the resulting product. The artisan wins, enjoying a traditional lifestyle and a growing independence, rather than being forced into the ever growing but not sustaining large urban sprawls. The purchaser wins by having a nonpareil product from the touch of an artisan’s hand.

Creating a market for these products extends the benefits of globalization to people who have been otherwise left out.

But I promised you a fish story.

You know the old proverb: give a person a fish and you feed her for one day, teach a person to fish and you feed him for a lifetime…. Well, social enterprise pushes this further: Buy fish from a person at a fair price and you improve lives in a community immeasurably in innumerable ways beyond a full stomach.

Especially when you apply the long tail of the internet. E-commerce is the perfect way to create a market big enough for these wonderful, but specialty products.

Where do the social enterprisers come from? Typically, some event gives them exposure to a need and they organize their lives to fill it. That’s the story of Richard Speedy of Julio Pagliani bringing to an updated world the jewelry beading of the indigenous Tarahumara of Mexico’s Sierra Madre. It’s the story of Nadine Storyk Curtis of Be Sweet bringing to the world scarves and shawls from the mohair textile traditions alive in women’s collectives in South Africa. And of Marie So and Carol Chyau of Shokay International creating a luxury market for the incredibly soft yak-down produced by Tibetan herders.

And the same is true for next week’s Tuesday Tracts featured social entrepreneur, Ellen Dorsch of Creative Women, bringing to the international market the textile skills of women of Ethiopia, Swaziland, and now, Afghanistan.

This is what ElegantRoots.com is founded on. We exist to extend the market for the Tarahumara of Mexico, for the South African women, for the Tibetan herders of western China, for the last family-run cotton mill in the USA, for jewelry designers who work with recycled materials, for all the artisans …. for people, planet, profit for all — the Triple Bottom Line.

Later.