Posts Tagged ‘eco’

The 46664 Bangle. In support of the 46664 campaign of the Nelson Mandela Foundation

Monday, November 22nd, 2010

The 46664 BangleThe 46664 Bangle design is striking and uplifting; the epitome of Style and Relevance.

We all know, (or we should), of the extraordinary man named Nelson Mandela and his remarkable historic journey from decades-long political-imprisonment to having received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993, having become President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999, and to having led South Africa’s transition towards multi-racial democracy.

You probably didn’t know that “Four, Double Six, Six Four” was Mr. Mandela’s prison number; number 466, imprisoned in ‘64. Mr. Mandela’s legacy is redirected for a new struggle; originally launched to raise awareness about HIV AIDS, 46664 has now expanded its focus to champion Mr. Mandela’s broader humanitarian work.copper box _CTX5576 500x662copper on black_CTX2793 sml 500x424

The 46664 campaign focuses on global social issues such as poverty, hunger, unemployment, education, gender inequality, discrimination, and HIV AIDS prevention. The 46664 Bangle initiative aims to create jobs for the less fortunate and also spreads awareness of the 46664 campaign.

Each 46664 Bangle is fair trade handmade in South Africa of the highest quality pure copper, or silver, gold or platinum with a copper inlay. Each bangle bears a digital imprint of Mr. Mandela’s hand and his symbolic prison number. The Bangle program makes a positive impact through job creation and skills training while promoting a message of social responsibility.

In 2007, Rob Favole and the Elegant Roots team began turning a concept, an idea, into a social business, ElegantRoots.com designed specifically to serve people, planet, profits. In October 2008 — exactly the time that The Great Depression became a topic for current events discussion — ElegantRoots was launched as an online boutique offering design-forward jewelry and accessories For Her, For Him and furnishings For Home – and all of it is green, either eco-conscious, socially responsible, or both.

Silver 70x183 no background at 72 copyOne Elegant notion is that design-forward products, lovely in form and function, take on unsurpassed beauty with the luster of fair trade, social responsibility and eco-consciousness. And knowing the story of these more meaningful products enables consumers to align their purchases with their values.

Transparency brings some benefits of globalization to those who had previously been on the margins, or worse, had been victims of globalization’s press for cheap labor. And transparency allows consumers to “vote” with their dollars for greater meaning and the greater good.

The ElegantRoots.com team strives to help provide access to the wide US markets for such products while providing their creators with some measure of recognition through a commitment to transparency. Thus, for each product, Elegant Roots tells the story — the Roots — through “our 4 Ws” (who made it, where, from what, and, why, beyond its beauty and function, it is a worthy purchase), and our designer profiles. Everyone wins — from artisan, to customer, to recipient of an ElegantRoots.com gift — upon delivery of an item of greater meaning than even its beauty or soulful qualities.

Silver Box front 500x494ElegantRoots.com supports the 46664 campaign of the Nelson Mandela Foundation by offering the 46664 Bangle on a non-profit basis – that is, ElegantRoots.com makes no profit on its sale of the 46664 Bangle.

Your purchase of a 46664 Bangle signifies you have risen to the challenge; making a real difference in the lives of those at risk from HIV/AIDS. More than a one-time act of charity, your purchase changes lives, unleashes opportunities for entire communities, and cares for, educates and uplifts those affected by this pandemic.

It’s not JUST a fashion statement. Tell the world that ordinary people can make extraordinary contributions. Be part of the new legacy.

Hand silver2 266x400Each 46664 Bangle bears a digital imprint of Mr. Mandela’s palm, a reminder of his slogan, “It’s in our hands”, and an embrace from one of the world’s most inspiring men.

Now it’s in your hands.

Join Brad Pitt, Will Smith, ElegantRoots.com and many others around the world in support of the 46664 campaign of the Nelson Mandela Foundation.

Social Biz Meets Social Media

Friday, 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;
  • SurGen-2 TN

  • 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.
  • Converge-1 Relapse 155x138 copy cleaned

    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.

    Twin Firsts: C5 Recycled Silver and Elegant Roots

    Wednesday, March 31st, 2010

    Elegant Roots is proud to announce twin firsts! Circle Pendant and bracelet 385x285 copy

    Avenue Green is the FIRST ready-to-wear jewelry collection from C5 company, known for its exclusive, by-commission-only, custom-designed fine jewelry — and exclusively using recycled precious metals and ethically sourced gems.

    And, Elegant Roots is the FIRST in the U.S. to offer C5 company’s Avenue Green, a collection in 100% recycled sterling silver from C5’s designer, Meghan Connolly Haupt. MCH PRIMARY HEADSHOT with correct name 4x5 at 72

    Avenue Green is a compelling line inspired by the South Bronx — multi-cultural urban living against the backdrop of the incredible natural beauty of the Bronx Botanical Gardens and the Bronx Zoo. Haupt has perfectly rendered the urban-natural counterpoint with sleek lines within nature’s most profound shapes. Swirl Earrings and pendant 385x280

    Join us in welcoming C5 company to Elegant Root’s fine list of designers and artisans working with an eye on the environment and social justice.

    Elegant Roots Gains Green America’s Seal of Approval

    Monday, February 8th, 2010

    Elegant Roots is proud to announce that its application to the Green America’s Green Business Network has been approved placing ElegRoo among “progressive business leaders who are solving today’s tough social and environmental problems.”

    GreenBusinessSealofApprovalPMS370

    What does it mean to receive Green America’s application approval? “Members of Green Business Network™ at Green America* have made extraordinary commitments to fair treatment of their employees and workers in their supply chain, promoting healthy communities where they do business, preserving the environment, and delivering quality products to their costumers. To recognize [these] commitments and accomplishments as a green business, Green America has created our Green Business Seal of Approval. This seal signals that [ElegRoo] ha[s] passed Green America’s screening process and ha[s] been admitted as an approved green business to our Green Business Network™.”

    Elegant Roots now proudly displays the Green Business Seal of Approval.

    And Elegant Roots listing now appears at Greenpages.org and in the 2011 National Green Pages (due out in the fall of 2010).

    Green America’s Review Committee “commend[ed] Elegant Roots on the quality of information [it] share[s] with customers on ElegantRoots.com! From a committee reviewing hundreds of businesses, such recognition of ElegRoo’s practice of transparency and “our four Ws” is particularly gratifying.

    The members of the committee have encouraged ElegRoo to create two additional categories: Fair Trade products and Made in the USA products. “Often consumers are looking for or give priority to these products.”

    We have taken their advice and have created a Made in USA category. While we were at it, we created Made in Africa and Made in Israel categories. We’d love to hear what our customers think about the appeal and usefulness of a Fair Trade category and of other geographical categories: Made in Latin America; Made in Asia, etc. Please let us know what you think by leaving a comment below.

    Thanks,
    Rob Favole

    Can’t Eco and Socially Just Gifts Cost Less?

    Wednesday, September 30th, 2009

    On September 27, Sami Grover wrote about Elegant Roots on Treehugger.com. Sami’s headline is “Elegant Roots: Green Doesn’t (Always) Come Cheap”.

    Apparently, having been burned repeatedly by criticism of the “pricey-ness” of some green products, Sami felt compelled to an anticipatory rant in response using, as her subject, our $69 handmade, organic stuffed Penguin. Penguin by Dwelling.penguin_a_72-4x5

    Sami concludes: “It seems to me that if someone is going to spend $60 on toys, then buying one or two well-made, safe and sustainable items beats filling up the toy chest with lead paint and plastic crap. (Not to mention there are plenty of ‘luxury’ toys out there that don’t carry such green credentials…)”

    We, at ElegantRoots.com, agree wholeheartedly and appreciate greatly Sami’s endorsement. And we agree emphatically that people should Buy Less But Buy Better. As she suggests, there may be some “green” alternatives in a lower price range. But there are other issues at play here.

    Social Justice and soulfulness. We offer things that are handmade — touched by the hand and spirit of the artisan. No machine-turned-out toy can match the feel. And, unlike the Wal-Mart ilk, ElegantRoots.com does not squeeze price concessions from the artisans. A fair price for a handmade item is what we’re all about. If a handmade, organic stuffed animal were to sell for half the price, who would bite it on that transaction? The artisan.

    I guarantee a “similar” toy can be made in a sweatshop factory in China for a lower price. And who bites it on that transaction. The sweatshop indentured servant.

    ElegantRoots.com exists to help create and sustain a market for artisan products that use traditional skills to create marketable designs (Penguins are not a traditional subject in Kenya). If there is no market for these products, traditional skills become economically nonviable. Traditional lifestyles are lost as people are forced to overcrowded cities to join the ranks of the displaced, dependent on sweatshops.

    So, when people complain about the prices, what do they really want? Do they want social enterprises like ElegantRoots.com not to exist? Do they want the artisans in developing economies to get squeezed to the bone on prices in order to try to compete with sweatshops? Do they want only “cheap” plastic stuff that winds up in the dump?

    kk-knitters-045-72-5x5 Bottom line, you get what you pay for. If you want a product created by hand by some one person with pride and care, working in a joyful community of women receiving fair trade prices, a Penguin from the Critter Knitters of rural Kenya is the perfect choice. Penguin from Critter Knitters

    kimochidoll_a_72-4x5 The same applies within the borders of the US. If you want a limited edition Kimochi “emotions” doll made by hand in the US by a noted doll artist, Cody Thompson, shop at ElegantRoots.com.

    You’ll be glad you did. So will the artisan somewhere (and we tell you where) who, because a market exists, can pursue his/her art and be independent.

    And it all comes wrapped in our nonpareil, signature, and COMPLIMENTARY, eco-conscious gift wrap.

    Later.

    Babble Droolicious and Gerber Babies

    Wednesday, June 24th, 2009

    ElegRoo extends its thanks to Babble.com Droolicious and the blog 2Gerberbabies.com for great coverage.

    Babble’s Droolicious loved ElegRoo’s Exclusive Obama Inauguration jigsaw puzzles using photos by White House photographer Paul Morse and design by the incomparable Wentworth Wooden Puzzle company. “The Obama Inauguration Jigsaw makes a summertime activity that’s worthy of the presidential seal.”  bit.ly/5BGRc

    Our Obama puzzles are of the highest quality, a product of CAD and laser cutting on Forest Stewardship Council-certified wood. Check them out — we’re really proud of them. bit.ly/kJYF3

    The Gerber Babies Blog recommended our Dimples Ensemble (organic cotton baby set), Wool-Felt Police Car Toy Bin by En Gry & Sif,  the “S” olivewood bowl from Dwelling, the Wool-Felt Computer Bag by etcetera media, Kakadoo embroidered jewelry by Dori Csengeri, the baby alpaca throw from Marcel Miller, and our eco-conscious, complimentary gift packaging. Here’s a sample from Gerber Babies Blog:

    “Save yourself some time and check out Elegant Roots the next time you need that perfect gift! Not only do they have the greatest selection of products for just about anyone on your list, they offer meaningful gifts created by true Artisans. The products are eco-friendly and socially responsible! We received the most adorable newborn set from the Dimples Collection. The Dimples Ensemble is made from pure organic cotton. This set is very soft and a pleasure to touch. The fine details ensure that this set will be treasured long after it is outgrown! The set includes a delightful baby gown (playsack) featuring an embroidered rose or bee. It is available in chocolate, sage, and pink! A matching cap and wrap are included! Don’t look elsewhere, Elegant Roots is the first to offer this set in the USA!”  bit.ly/P2X3b

    The Gerber Babies Blog also liked our ElegRoo blog about Parents Behind the Curve  bit.ly/nalpj

    To Babble and Gerber Babies — thanks for the support!

    Elegant Roots partner Artecnica Wins Award!

    Thursday, May 21st, 2009

    Artecnica, one of the designer companies on ElegantRoots.com, has won the Aid to Artisans’ 2009 Innovation & Visionary Design Award!

    Artecnica was founded by Tahmineh Javanbakht, an Iranian-born painter and Enrico Bressan, an Italian born architect.  In its Design With Conscience line, the Los Angeles based design group enlists some of the world’s most acclaimed designers, like renowned Dutch designer Hella Jongerius, to team with artisans located with the help of Aid to Artisans to create thoughtful, meaningful works of household art that enrich and inspire everyday life.

    Every Design With Conscience piece not only meets standards of design, beauty and ingenuity, but also adheres to environmental  guidelines in the materials used, the human resources contracted, the cost of transport and sustainability while ensuring the most qualified and worthy artisans are enlisted to produce inspired limited-edition objects for the home.

    By working closely with local artisan communities, the Design With Conscience team encourages the survival of indigenous crafts while avoiding the mechanization of the artisan.

    Elegant Roots is proud to carry Design With Conscience’s Beads & Pieces bowls, conceived by Hella Jongerius and handcrafted in Peru, providing talented artisans an alternative economic viability in a dangerous area of the world. The purchase of these unique works of art supports fair trade and the future of sustainable craft, including shared work and profit across borders, cultures, races and religions.

    We offer our Congratulations to Tahmineh, Enrico and the Artecnica team for the 2009 Innovation & Visionary Design Award and for their leadership.

    Find out more about Artecnica and its Beads & Pieces bowls here www.elegantroots.com/Artecnica-mid-5-p-1.html

    Hasta,

    Rob