be different art

Talented Karen hill tribe artisans craft this stunning beaded pendant necklace from 950 silver. The pendant is abundantly populated with sterling and 950 silver blossoms and leaves of various sizes and shapes. Tiny rondelle beads make up the rest of the necklace, which is presented by Pakaon Sojintarit in Thailand.

Rosy pearls, deep red tourmaline and crystal quartz mingle with cool green peridot. Nareerat knots the gems on silken strands to create these colorful earrings. They hang from silver wires.

.925 Sterling silver

Handcrafted by Thai artisan Tiraphan Hasub, this exquisite beaded bracelet features five strands of gemstones and brass beads on brown polyester cord that culminate in a clasp of small brass bells. Brightly colored lapis lazuli, red jasper, dyed blue calcite, and composite turquoise create a striking contrast with the golden-colored brass, making this bracelet a magnificent accessory.

With inspiration from Mayan art and architecture, Cristobal Ramirez of Guatemala designs a marvelous wrap bracelet. A beautiful array of glass beads in colors of blue and turquoise are carefully strung by hand between two lengths of nylon cord that wrap the wrist, closing with a reconstituted turquoise button. Says the artisan, "Mayan architecture is a precious thing. Combining different forms and sizes, it is something precious to admire. It is incredible to think that our ancestors achieved magnificent works without imagining that today they would be the treasure of our country."

With inspiration from Mayan art and architecture, Cristobal Ramirez of Guatemala designs a marvelous wrap bracelet. A beautiful array of aventurine and glass beads in peach and earth tones are carefully strung by hand between two lengths of nylon cord that wrap the wrist, closing with an aventurine button. Says the artisan, "Mayan architecture is a precious thing. Combining different forms and sizes, it is something precious to admire. It is incredible to think that our ancestors achieved magnificent works without imagining that today they would be the treasure of our country."

The serene face of the moon inspires the captivating design of this ring by Buana. Expertly carved in bone, the moon enlightens an ornate sterling silver ring.

Quetzalcoatl, the "feathered serpent" was a revered deity in Mesoamerican myth and legend. Mariana Llanes depicts him as a sterling silver dragon that take its own tail in his mouth. "When one becomes many, they awaken the dragon, and duality emerges — light and darkness, what is mine, yours and belonging to others," ths artist says. "Our differences, survival and the struggles for power.

"By biting its tail, the dragon places all its energy toward understanding who we are and why we're here. It speaks of overcoming one's own ego, of humility.

"For me, the open hands are a beautiful representation of human collaboration. They symbolize friendship, honesty, respect, solidarity and willingness.

"Black crosses flank the hands along with garnet droplets that represent the death and suffering caused by wars. This is in honor of everyone who has died because of war. And it's a prayer that their lives and their blood be seeds that germinate in green fields of conscience, learning, and respect for life and for our differences.

"The spirals speak of life's cyclical nature and of resilience. Of our capacity to learn and change our reality, converting painful experiences into strength and wisdom.

"The feather pendants are symbols of the birds that collect our prayers around the world — for peace, for justice, for equality and the rights of everyone. They carry our voices in their song and they carry our prayers for peace."

The pendant is worn on a beaded gemstone strand of amethyst, iolite, citrine, peridot, carnelian and garnet.

Akwele Suma creates a vibrant effect with the design of this bracelet. She crafts the bracelet by hand in a palette of grey, cream, blue, yellow, red, black and brown hues obtained from rolled-up cylinders of recycled paper. The bracelet fastens with a toggle and a loop crafted with sese wood beads.

The artist uses the paper at hand so paper colors will vary, making each design a unique example of handcrafted art. These beads receive a protective coat of clear nail polish.

A floral medallion centers this bracelet, honoring Kumasi, the "garden city" of Ghana. Stacks of sese wood disks flank the blossom in a design by Rita Addo Zakour. Eco-friendly, the central square is crafted by recycling plastic drinking bottles.

Circling the wrist with a hand-knotted nylon wristband in crimson, this bracelet is created by Mexican artisan Janeth Quintanilla. She selects gleaming beads of glass that are displayed alongside a variety of different metal charms, including religious symbols, animals, good luck charms, and hearts.

Pearls do not have to be white! Jeweler Miriam Bruten takes cultured pearls of different colors such as pink and purple to create treasures such as this delicate beaded necklace with 925 sterling silver and pearl beads of alternating colors.

In blue and brown, this torsade necklace is by Sumalee Nawakul. She crafts the necklace by hand with dyed blue wood beads of littleleaf boxwood, creating 10 hand-knotted strands that twist into a necklace that can fasten at two different lengths.