Every year there’s a Holiday Fair at Grand Central in New York City leading up to Christmas. It’s a great way to do some last-minute gift shopping for family and friends. More than 70 vendors offer handmade and local gifts that range from soaps, jewelry, toys and clothing to home goods at the historic Vanderbilt Hall. The area does get very crowded, though. If you’re looking for a stress-free alternative, you might want to check out the kiosk by Faire Collection at the Graybar passage.
What caught my eye while passing Faire Collection’s kiosk on my daily commute to work were the Piedra wrap bracelets. They are handcrafted in Ecuador with a Tagua nut accent piece in multiple color options. The Tagua nut has the look of ivory yet comes from palm trees, and is commonly referred to as “vegetable ivory.” All accessories by Faire Collection are designed in New York but handcrafted by artisans from all over the world.
What amazes me the most about the collection is the big selection of sustainable materials used to create contemporary jewelry designs. They include Tagua nuts from Ecuador, or Açaí seeds and Pambil seeds from South America. The seeds are sustainably harvested without harming trees and provide an alternative income for the inhabitants of the rainforest areas in South America instead of logging. Artisans use a manual, low-energy process to transform seeds into beads that are then turned into well-designed accessories.
Faire Collection was originally founded under the name Andean Collection in 2008 with the goal to bring a stream of sustainable income to rural and impoverished communities in Ecuador through jewelry making. Since then, the company was rebranded as Faire Collection, and expanded its mission globally to working with artisans in Vietnam, Peru and Swaziland. Part of the newer collections are the Josephine Shimmer Cuff and Raleigh Bangle made of upcycled horn by artisans in Vietnam that has been discarded by local stockyards. All pieces are one-of-a-kind through the use of natural materials and make great sustainable stocking stuffers. Have a great and peaceful holiday!
Tags: eco-fashion, green gift, green manufacturing, handmade, sustainable materials,sustainable style