Socially Responsible Shopping

Buy from The Rainforest Site and your purchase goes further. Here’s a description from the organization’s site:

Originally launched in May 2000, The Rainforest Site focuses the power of the Internet on a specific ecological need: the preservation of the world’s rainforests. Individuals from around the world visit the site each day to click the “Click Here to Give—it’s FREE” button and help rescue imperiled land. In just its first year of operation, The Rainforest Site generated funds to purchase and preserve over 5,650 acres of endangered land.…

When you shop at The Rainforest Site store, each item you buy also helps fund habitat preservation—at no extra cost to you!

Shown here is a beautiful pin in the form of an orchid. Says Rainforest, “The exotic orchid comes in thousands of fantastic structures, shapes and colors. Explore the unique beauty of one of the most diverse flowers in the world with our pin of sterling silver and vibrant pink spondilus shell. Handmade by a trio of sisters working together in Cuzco, Peru, it’s a loving tribute to the orchid’s timeless beauty. Sterling silver and spondilus shell pin measures 1.5″ L (3.8 cm), and has a pin-and-hook back clasp. Handmade in and fair-trade imported from Peru.”

Other items sold at Rainforest include this tote bag. Says the site:

Our Bohemian Patchwork Tote is a fun and funky bag that’s sure to turn heads. Featuring colorful bands of fabric with different floral designs, this blossomy bag will surely become a favorite! Made in Bali, Indonesia by women who are part of a fair trade cooperative that creates a market for their beautiful handicrafts in order to help them create sustainable incomes and encourage keeping traditional crafts and skills alive. Bag interior is lined with deep, brown 100% cotton, and features a side pouch for wallet or cell phone.…Bag measures 15″ W x 9″ H x 2.5″ D (38.1 x 22.9 x 6.4 cm). Made in and fairly traded from Indonesia

Rainforest gems

The Rainforest Site’s “fandangle” has a thin lanyard that can be looped or tied around many things, including keys, lamp pulls, belt buckles, and zippers. Measures 2.5″ L (6.4 cm) and is now on sale for $6.95.

Back in the saddle

Back in the Saddle is a site for those who love, tend to, and ride horses and those others, like me, who love these powerful, gorgeous creatures but don’t have them in their daily lives. Among the things I liked at the site were this studded belt and handsome necklace.

The necklace—which, unfortunately, won’t be available till December—is described at the site as follows:

Genuine Balinese tiger’s eye is handcarved in the shape of a horse’s head surrounded by a circle, then bezel-set in sterling silver with a large bale atop, suitable for any chain. Designed by Marianna Sajen. The luminous color gradations of the natural tiger’s eye catch the light and draw attention. Pendant measures 1.25 inches diam; comes with an 18-inch sterling silver snake chain.

Ornamental Things

Natalie Tischler, of Ornamental Things, understands the value of vintage objects, and it’s to our benefit that her craftsmanship is as great as her understanding. Her website describes her thus:

Natalie Tischler designs jewelry for bold and free spirited women. She grew up in a small Texas town sewing her own clothes, shopping at garage sales and plotting her escape. All grown up, she now lives in Austin where she collects and re-purposes the discarded jewelry she finds at flea markets and estate sales.

Her current line includes charm necklaces and bracelets, elegant earrings and fun cocktail rings. She strives to create pieces that are affordable as well as artistic. Most of her pieces are one-of-a-kind and Natalie wishes them to express the individuality of the wearer.

She is a graduate of the Art History program at the University of Texas where she learned to look for significance in everyday objects. Working with old jewelry has given her an appreciation for the part that jewelry plays in the history of design. Natalie believes that each generation leaves its mark on everything from architecture to jewelry. All of her pieces are handcrafted in her studio in Austin, Texas.

I believe that objects have their own powers, identities, and stories, and when I look at Natalie’s creations, I can’t help but feel confirmed in this belief. Here is one of her beautiful creations:

The design is pleasing without being predictable, balanced without being contrived, and the combination of materials, shapes, textures, and colors has a delightful and refreshing unity. Ornamental Things are also sold online by The Art Addict, another wonderful source of jewelry and gifts for women.