recycled

Little red and black hues add a chic aura to this eco-friendly creation by Maria Isabel Ramos. The Guatemalan artisan uses recycled metalized wrappers to create the handwoven structure of this cosmetic bag, finishing it with a handy zipper closure. Furthermore, the design comes with a cotton lining and an interior pocket.

Six beaded strands are interwoven in a braid to form the focal point of this necklace presented by Ghanaian Ila Suleyman. Each strand is threaded with recycled vinyl beads in a mix of pink, blue, brown, yellow, red, orange, black and green. The ends of the braided section are finished with sese wood beads and large agate stone beads that serve as spacers. The brass hook clasp complements the colorful tones of the beads. The name Sosongo comes from the Mamprusi word meaning "good way."

Traditional motifs and a vibrant palette of black and red hues create an aura of passion in Rita Addo Zakour's newest design. Crafted in Ghana from recycled plastic beads, this eco-friendly necklace features a brass hook clasp and a polished finish that enhances every little detail, making it a unique piece of art.

A sleek globe of agate centers a necklace of red disks, created from recycled plastic. Brown bauxite beads flank the clasp of this necklace. Rachel Armah names her design Tete Wo Bi Kyere, an Akan phrase that exalts the wisdom of the elders. In Eastern Ghana, bauxite beads are believed to be healing.

Ila Suleyman designs this extraordinary necklace under the theme of Taoure, the Mamprusi term for prosperity. From northern Ghana, Mamprusi people are predominantly rice and cattle farmers. Suleyman selects agate enhanced to a fiery red and cow bone beads embellished with batik techniques. Flanked by brass and sese wood beads, the necklace is crafted by hand with plastic beads recycled from a variety of sources.

"Enjoy this beautiful necklace and may your good deeds be more in number than the beads strung on this necklace," encourages Ila Suleyman. He calls his design Maneray, the Mossi term for good deeds. The Mossi are predominantly millet and cattle farmers who use cow hide and other natural materials to create various items including jewelry and accessories. Suleyman crafts the necklace by hand in a palette of warm earth hues featuring glistening agates, terracotta and sese wood beads. A bone pendant painted with batik techniques centers the necklace featuring recycled plastic beads at both sides. Closes with a brass clasp.