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Hilary’s Picks: Gifts with Impact
Find the perfect gift, while supporting a woman artisan.
Mela bangle sets and Soko brass cuff bracelet
Bangle Sets by Mela Artisans
Mela Artisans collaborates with disenfranchised craftsmen across India to create pieces that combine traditional art forms with current trends – empowering and enhancing the lives of artisans by providing a more stable income. Beautifully crafted from horn and brass, these bangles are guaranteed to make any ensemble glamorous. I’ll be wearing their Bachata 5-Bangle Set ($40) and Rhumba 7-Bangle Set ($50) paired together, which are the perfect addition to a glam cocktail party outfit.
Brass Necklace & Cuff Bracelet by Soko
I’ll be sporting their gorgeous brass Double Arrow Cuff Bracelet ($66) and Chain Dangle Necklace ($88), a brass cast choker with longer chain layer dangling below (so modern!). Soko jewelry is handmade in Kenya by women for women, fostering the equitable direct trade of artisan-made goods from the developing world to the global marketplace. Soko’s artisans are empowered to use design as a means to improve their livelihoods and become drivers of social and economic development within their communities.
Tiklari earrings, Zesa necklace, and Soko brass necklace
Golden Elephant Necklace by Zesa
Zesa trains survivors of human trafficking in jewelry and fabric design, and all of their unique, handcrafted home and jewelry products are made by the girls they educate. 100% of profits profits fund Zesa Academy and salaries for their girls, which is 3x the average wage in India. Zesa Retail employees are also eligible for full-scholarships if they choose to pursue higher education. All that, and their jewelry is stunning! My favorite is their Ellie necklace, which is $42 and has an elephant, leaf and disk hanging from it.
Earrings by Tiklari
Tiklari collaborates with artisans in Turkey using traditional jewelry-making techniques mixing gold plated bronze, colorful semi-precious stones and other special materials from around the world to create handcrafted jewelry with a “happy soul”. They hope that you celebrate their jewelry as a form of adornment born from the flow of ideas and fusion of culture. I love their $76 gold and red Feray Earrings for its bone-shaped dangles and the exotic feel.
Ofelia Ruley
I’ve heard of True Moringa a lot. I heard that it really does help the skin feel moisturized. Is it okay for sensitive skin though? It might be comedogenic and I don’t want to end up with clogged pores and breakouts. That would be really terrible.
Doreen Morales
Are there gifts for men too? Women aren’t hard to give gifts to. But men? It’s so difficult…….
Felicia Sanders
Socks, huh? I kinda wished that the prints would be colorful or aztec like! Well, I do love socks and I collect them in different colors and designs. Weird, right? But I just find it really cute. Thanks for the gift suggestions that you prepared here. I would love to offer a little bit of help for these very lovely goods. Do they ship worldwide? I really admire how you always do the right thing for the world, Hilary. I wish that there would be more people like you.
Roe Merry
Hmmm… I love that the suggestions are unique. That’s what I need, alright!
Kristina Gonzales
It’s already -ber month and it’s almost Christmas! I’m so excited.
Felicia Romero
That sling bag looks pretty. My only problem is that it’s not my style. Not sure if I can also give it to people I know as well. My mom would definitely love the bangles and necklaces here though. It’s a really interesting piece that means a lot to those women artisans. I really do hope that they profit and sell more in the future so that they can benefit from it. Love the Symbology clutch as well. Very simple yet chic looking, definitely more my style!
Shirley Haynes
The ones from India look really nice. I love their bold style.
Hachi Komatsu
I dislike giving away candles. No matter what greater purpose it serves, most people will just store them and not even notice it until there’s a city blackout. But seriously, if I give this to my friends they’d stick it up my ass and say that I could do better. My friends are nice but they don’t take presents seriously. ? But if I may add, before some of you hate on my friends, these are really fantastic crafts.
Karen Abeyta
It would be really great to help women artisans by buying these and giving it as gifts. They’re really talented women who produce great creations.
Meiga Jenk
These are very affordable if you ask me. Now, it would only depend on who you give it to.
Sandy Green
Yeah, I don’t give expensive gifts to people I don’t value that much. ?