cold weather clothing

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."

Thailand's Tiraphan Hasub evoke the joy of nature with this opulent bracelet. She crafts the bracelet by hand, combining jasper in a variety of natural colors with gleaming brass beads. Brass bells form the clasp.