special gift for her

Fresh and colorful as a spring garden, this shawl is crafted by Thai artisan Nisa. Her mastery of batik methods is wonderfully evident in this square cotton shawl. The artisan uses beeswax to create the precise patterns on white cotton, which she dyes in myriad hues of blue, grey, pink and orange. Nisa stitches the hems of her shawls entirely by hand for a special touch.

This stunning applique jewelry roll is handcrafted by Thailand's Lisu hill tribe artisans. The perfect place for your precious keepsakes, it features a large open compartment, a roll carrier for rings and two zippered pockets for earrings and other special items. The claret red cotton blend pouch ties closed with cords that match the lining.

So many details make this double-layered cotton gauze blouse something special: from the soft and light texture to the delicate mint shade, from the asymmetrical design to the beautiful ruffle accent at the hemline. The three-quarter-sleeved blouse presented by Ying and Joy and hand-crafted in Thailand will fill your look with style and make you stand out.

NOVICA artisan Saktut Raitawati and Threads of Life have collaborated to presented this beautiful shawl. The shawl is made from handspun cotton and woven in East Java. It is naturally dyed by Threads of Life using dye plants from indigo (Strobilanthes cusia) and a mangrove species (Ceriops tegal).

• Eco-friendly fabric dyes produced with all-natural and non-polluting methods; friendly to your skin, the artists, and the earth. Many natural dye plants also have healing properties.
• Sustainable cultivated and harvested plants, to ensure the continuation of the forests and plants that produce leaves, barks, roots, and these beautiful dye colors. These dyes are diligently, responsibly sourced; protecting the forest, livelihood, and traditional rituals of which they are an ancient part.
• Empowering women and protecting families. Generating income for local Indonesian women, farmers, and artisans. When the women can generate income at home, often the men do not have to leave to support their families by working off-island.
• Supporting indigenous communities and traditional weaving and dyeing techniques for over 1000 women on 12 islands across Indonesia.
• Contributing to research and development of new techniques using natural dyes to generate more income for all these people, in the Threads of Life dye studio.
• Treat them with respect and these clothes will be with you for many years. Natural dyes do not like harsh laundry soaps. Dry cleaning recommended, or gently hand wash with very mild PH balanced soap. Dry flat, out of the sun.

In Costa Rica, there are special devices to brew coffee called chorreadores, which get the delicious beverage ready through a dripping process. Hot water is poured over coffee beans that are placed on cotton bags or filters held on top of a wooden stand. This lovely chorreador set by Bryan and Sandra which comes with two reusable cotton filters varies from the traditional ones as it replaces the stand with a coffee pot-shaped teak and cedar wood panel that hangs from the wall from an agave cord. Please note that the mug shown is not included.