New Artisans At Nest!
- At April 26, 2016
- By admin
- In Blog, Housewares, Jewelry & Accessories, New Products, Products
0
Spring brings us many new things including all sorts of exciting new products from artisans local and abroad. Just in time for Mother’s Day, graduation, wedding season, and just showing some love to that special someone for no reason at all, these new items will fill your heart with joy.
Mutual Adoration out of Detroit, Michigan is really amazing. They take reclaimed wood from old buildings in the city and turn them into something very special. The picture frames, trays, and tables they create are labeled with the location the wood was sourced from, making each one feel like a work of art even before the frame has been filled. Brimming with personality and charm, these frames are an amazing gift for anyone. They will certainly adore you for it.
The pieces Ginger Gathings of Glen Burnie Maryland creates start with a simple concept: reclaimed materials. From there, she uses a variety of techniques and skills to manipulate each piece into something much greater than the sum of its parts. Using metal, glass, stones, and many other up-cycled materials, she creates pieces that look somewhat Victorian, somewhat modern, wholly unique and one of a kind. A great find.
Since 1994, Thomas Spake of Tennessee has been creating beautifully crafted pieces of glass art that defy boundaries and classification. Somewhat tribal, native, but still modern, each piece he creates has style and presence. A great addition to our store, these pieces will make a great addition to any home.
2016 Spring and Summer Collection from Mata Traders!
One of our favorite Fair Trade companies every season is Mata Traders, makers of gorgeous clothing, fun and flirty jewelry and awesome accessories. This Spring and Summer season is no exception. From their vintage flair, quirky style and approachable ease, to the way they tie everything together with inexpensive but eye-catching jewelry, you can pull together an amazing look for much less than you’d expect and without having to sacrifice style or support companies that don’t use ethical business practices.
Everything Mata Traders does is made by and for women! Artisans in India and Nepal are paid a living wage and offered social services like paid maternity leave, retirement packages and daycare all while learning valuable trades that enrich and empower their lives. Aside from on the job training, employees are offered literacy classes, computer training, and regular workshops on topics like hygiene, nutrition, and parenting. With every purchase you make, you are not only supporting a great company that is doing great things, you are helping a woman open her first bank account or become independent for the first time in her life. Mata Traders happily exceeds the minimum wage in their region while offering stability, support and sustainable skills that help to improve their lives on every level.
Electric Love Dress $64
-One of our favorite pieces this season from Mata Traders is the Electric Love dress. Brimming with charm and personality, with a print that straddles the line between tribal and geometric, this little black and white dress is anything but basic.
-Available in S-XL, this is a great piece that will flatter many shapes and sizes and can easily be dressed up with a sharp piece of jewelry and some heels, or go casual all day with flats or sneakers. 100% block-printed cotton with pockets.
Sally Jane Skirt in Orange and Blue $60
- -Another great piece for Spring and Summer is the Sally Jane skirt shown here in Orange and Blue Check. A simple A-line skirt with tons of swing and style, this piece will really take you places! Great with leggings and boots or adorable with a blouse. Shown here with some of our Fair Trade jewelry and a rose quartz cardigan, this skirt will be the envy of all your friends.
-Available in XS-XL, you will be so thrilled that this skirt lives in your closet, you’ll twirl around every time you get to put it on. 100% block-printed cotton. Also available in Blue check.
-More and more every season we fall deeper and deeper in love with Mata Traders Fair Trade jewelry and this Spring and Summer collection for 2016 is no exception. Enamel, brass, resin and wood have never looked more lux or more desirable. Pieces like this Tribal Tahoe necklace looks like a million bucks and for less than $30, it’s a steal that will compliment any wardrobe.
-These brass Artemis Earrings are everything! For only $15, they can take a simple look to the next level and show everyone around that you’re a warrior woman.
An amazing design team, great merchandise, tried and true loyalty to their customers and a business model that helps to improve the lives of their employees and their communities. There’s nothing not to like about Mata Traders Spring Summer 2016 collection. Available now at Nest.
October is Fair Trade Month at Nest!
October is national Fair Trade month and we are celebrating here at Nest this and every month with some of our very favorite Fair Trade companies.
If you are used to hearing the words “Fair Trade” but aren’t quite sure what it’s all about, check out the last blog we wrote on the subject right here.
In the meanwhile, we would love to show you some of our FAVORITE Fair Trade items of the moment…
- from Mata Traders, the Devonshire Plaid Dress
Perfect for fall, this adorable tartan dress is made of 100% cotton, in warm blues and reds that work on almost any skin tone. Dress it down with a pair of flats and your favorite cardigan for a day look, or throw on a statement making piece of jewelry and a pair of pumps and take this dress out to dinner. Just don’t forget to layer up!
*also from Mata Traders, tons of new Fair Trade jewelry. Inexpensive and always impact-ful, the fall collection of Mata jewelry is the perfect way to add a little sparkle and depth to any outfit.
- from Prana, the Demure Cardigan in Dark Khaki
Layers upon layers of lovely, warm goodness brought to you from one of our favorite companies. This organic cotton sweater combo just looks like an Autumn night out on the town. Dress it up with gold jewelry and a nice pant or keep it simple with jeans and your favorite layering tank- either way, you WILL get compliments, trust us.
*also from Prana, the Moto Legging. Sumptuous, warm organic cotton leggings with beautiful style lines made to go under or with all of your favorite Fall pieces. Already this seasons best selling item of the season.
- from Matr Boomie, handmade jewelry in brass
Always unique and stylish, jewelry from Matr Boomie’s Handmade Expressions always serve to delight. Utilizing unique and inexpensive materials ranging from resin to brass to wood, these pieces always give you a lot of bang for your buck. Never one to skimp on style, Matr Boomie’s Fall collection is another winner.
*also from Matr Boomie, much more jewelry! In every color and style you can imagine, all handmade with Fair Trade principals, Matr Boomie defintiely has you covered this season.
- from the Tibet Collection, handmade singing bowls from Nepal
Available in many sizes, styles, finishes and pitches, these Nepalese singing bowls are as authentic as it gets. One of the leading Fair Trade companies in the world, the Tibet Collection from DZI has been in the business longer than all but a few, and they have honed their craft to perfection. Our singing bowls are always a popular gift item, all year long, but this season has brought us some real beauties. You’ll have to come in and see them for yourself to know what we mean
*also from the Tibet Collection, mini singing bowls! Still a mediation novice? Then you can start off small and simple with one of our 2 or 3 inch bowls. They come in colorful gift boxes that make them perfect to give to receive.
Exciting New Fair Trade Jewelry and Gifts from Peru!
This time of year at Nest, we are filled to the brim with AMAZING products from all around the world. Here are some of our favorite newest additions to our collection of Fair Trade jewelry, accessories and fashion!
First of all, what is Fair Trade?
To put it simply, Fair Trade is the idea that developing countries can gain stability by producing goods to be sold on an international level as long as the workers are paid a living wage, allowed to learn a useable trade, and are treated fairly and left to work in safe conditions. We take many of those things for granted in the United States but in many developing regions of the world, these ideas are not a given. Fair Trade strives to create equality in the international marketplace on every level, from those who help source fruits and foods, to those who pattern make and help create clothing, or even those responsible for fine, hand-made jewelry produced all over the world.
There are several Fair Trade certifiers that assure conditions are good, pay is fair, and that workers are allowed to work at something that will fulfill and support them and their family. Fair Trade, at its heart, is a trading partnership based on dialogue, transparency, and respect, hoping to bridge the gap between the developed and the underdeveloped nations of the world while strengthening the bonds between countries and individual people on every level.
Dreamer backpack from Minga Fair Trade Imports $55.
New from Peru is the Dreamer Backpack. All vegan materials, available in five colorful combinations that will make and guy or girl glad that school is back in session!
Also new from Peru, Alpaca Silver textile cuffs! Dripping with Central American flare and charm, these pieces make a colorful addition to any outfit and make a pleasing gift to any recipient.
Alpaca Silver top late bracelets $14.99 each.
A beautiful way to add sparkle to any look, these glorious Alpaca Silver gemstone and glass bead latch bracelets. Handmade in Peru, these bracelets are a great gift to anyone on your list…or just a great, fun way to buy yourself a little something wonderful without having to spend a lot.
Fiori gemstone studs $14,99 a pair.
The perfect addition to any outfit, the simple and elegant Alpaca Silver alloy gemstone earrings from Minga Fair Trade Importers. Made in Peru from goldstone, agate, sodalite and many other healing stones, these studs are a great gift and have universal appeal.
SSD Jewelry by Melissa Lowey
- At August 03, 2013
- By admin
- In Jewelry & Accessories, New Products, Products
- 0
For more than a decade, Melissa Lowey has taken the idea of trying new things and experimenting with jewelry to its fullest extent.
Specializing in metalwork, etching, stamping and a diverse range of colors created with homemade patinas, each piece Melissa creates feels special, carefully crafted, powerful and brimming with interest.
With “reduce, reuse, recycle” as her mantra, Melissa has blazed a fashion-forward trail in the world of up-cycled and Earth-friendly jewelry.
Utilizing re-purposed and recycled materials along with eco-friendly patinas, Melissa’s creations strive to leave as small an environmental footprint as possible while the beauty and the effectiveness of her designs remain ever-lasting.
Maggie Bokor Jewelry
- At July 12, 2013
- By admin
- In Jewelry & Accessories, New Products, Products
- 0
Known for her organic elegance, Maggie Bokor’s unique pieces strive to inspire women and celebrate their radiant beauty every day.
Utilizing silver in its clay-like malleable state, Maggie is able to focus on the surface and fine details of her pieces before casting them in sterling silver. Using a blend of gradient patinas and untouched sparkling silver, peppered with accents of fresh water pearls, Maggie has created a one-of-a-kind collection that feels both organic and handmade at the same time.
Inspired by nature, her vision is clear: to filter the beauty of the world around her into a collection filled with a unique and simple elegance.
Recent Comments