earth friendly gifts

"I call this design Tempoka, the Mossi term for mother earth in reference to the natural materials I used for this necklace, and also to emphasize the importance of using recycled materials to help save Mother Earth," confides Ila Suleyman as he crafts the necklace by hand with ornate terracotta and sese wood beads. He completes his design with colorful recycled plastic beads and a brass clasp.

Following in the footsteps of his forefathers, Ila Suleyman transforms leather into jewelry with a modern twist. He starts by recycling PVC tubes into a cuff bracelet and covers it with leather with subtle diagonal textures. A thin black line runs horizontally over the green bracelet that Suleyman calls Wend Konta, meaning "God's gift" in the language of the Mamprusi people.

Elizabeth Alorchie-Apetor selects warm earth tones for the design of this stunning pair of earrings. She crafts the earrings by hand with sese wood beads. The larger beads are painted with natural dyes evoking the shape of a bird's beak. Thin black beads of recycled plastic separate the wood beads. The earrings are worn on brass hooks.

A perfect accessory for one who delights in the beauty of natural wood, this Ghanaian beaded necklace is composed of an assortment of sese wood and recycled beads. Eva Nana Yaa Kasuum adds a large pendant bead in the center of her design and selects a warm palette of earth colors.

"My inspiration for this piece mainly comes from my roots and my pride in Africa. The calabash and the world have a spherical shape and it means home. The world is the only home for mankind and other living things. The hands holding the earth on the calabash represent the hands of the individuals on this earth; they are the earth's hands. These hands mean knowing to be practical, logical and grounded. We are the rulers of this world and must act meaningfully to preserve what we live in. The dove with the leaf signifies peace, freedom and love depicting that we must love one another and act as messengers in sharing peace for unity. The beads of few nations around the calabash represent the countries in the world, that since we occupy our home we must see each other as one people by stopping racism. Living together harmoniously like the stars at night. Finally, world peace simply means that humans should be as the sun and the moon that live peacefully in the sky and rely on one another," says Ghana's Eliasu Adams about his intention for this sculpture. After painting a dove over a yellow background with hands holding the world, the artisan adds recycled glass beads and a steel stand to display the sculpture in all its beauty.

Elizabeth Alorchie-Apetor selects warm earth tones for the design of this stunning necklace. She crafts the necklace by hand with sese wood beads in different shapes, alternating patterned spheres with discs. A larger sese wood pendant centers the necklace with carved patterns that suggest a bird's beak. Amber-hued recycled beads border the brass clasp.

Expressing a love for nature, Ghanaian artisan Tina Quaye creates this eco-friendly necklace. Beads of recycled glass in various shapes, colors, and sizes are arranged to create an intriguing tonal composition. Brass S clasp closure.

Go bold with graphic patterns and hints of glossy green and yellow. Eliasu Adams expertly balances earthy brown sese wood with the brightly colored recycled glass beads on his beaded bracelet. Crafted with durable elastic cord, the bracelet slips on easily for those mornings on the go.

Add a tender and joyful aura to your home decor with this set of four bird ornaments handcrafted by Robert Aidoo-Taylor from Ghana. Knowing that these little winged friends symbolize freedom and happiness, the artisan handcrafts each accessory from ofram wood, painting them in vibrant hues that enhance every little detail. The set is titled Daadi Anuma, which means “earth birds” in the Akan language.