Archive for the ‘Shopping’ Category
Suggested Artisan Jewelry Outfit Pairings
September 3, 2008Essential Jewelry Pieces
September 1, 2008The following are essential jewelry pieces every woman should have:
I. A Statement Watch:
With the proliferation of technology in terms of hand held devises (mobile phones, Blackberry/Trio Palm etc.) we have no real need for a watch, which is why watches have become even more like a piece of jewelry.
Look for a beautiful and unique handcrafted or artisan jewelry style watch that reflects your personality.
Pangea Collection presents three styles of wire watches handcrafted by a local Toronto designer.
Artisan Jewelry - unique handcrafted watch
II. A Classic Necklace:
It doesn’t have to be a string of pearls, if you don’t love pearls, find another classic looking material that you do love. It could be a sterling silver or gold link necklace or a string of semi precious stones.
Here are a couple of style suggestions from Pangea Collection, the first is handmade silver jewelry from Taxco Mexico.
Handmade Silver Link Necklace, Mexican jewelry
The second is a classic semi precious jewelry piece from a local Toronto jewelry artisan.
III. A Cocktail Ring
If it works for you go with a bolder statement here, if you are more subtle tone down of the size but not the style.
In terms of bold, chunky with a large size stone (imitation or genuine) can be a perfect compliment to a little black dress.
For a more subtle look but stylish choose a band that has intricate detailing on it so the focus is on the detail not the size.
Here are a couple of suggestions from Pangea Collection, the first is a handcrafted wood ring from Brazil, the second is fair trade jewelry from Chile and the third is a handmade silver ring from the Bali Artisan Jewelry Collection.
Brazilian Chrysophase & Silver Ring
Brazilian Wood Ring
Fair trade jewelry Chilean Silver and Semi precious stone ring
Handmade silver jewelry ring
IV. An Elegant Bracelet or Bangle
Whether it is a tennis bracelet, a link bracelet, a strand of semi precious stones or an elegant bangle, having one of these makes it a simple elegant way to complete an outfit
The following are style suggestions from Pangea Collection. The first is a classic with a bit of whimsy, a handmade silver link bracelet with heart pendant from the Mexican Handmade Silver Jewelry Collection. The second and third are both from the Bali Artisan Jewelry Collection.
Balinese Onyx & Silver Bead Bracelet
Artisan jewelry - Onyx and Silver Bracelet
Silver Bangle Jewelry, Handmade Silver Jewelry
V. Two Pair of Earrings
If you wear earrings it’s a good idea to have a bolder loop or dangling style and a more classic set such as pearls or diamonds (or imitation).
In many cases the style of earrings, or the choice to wear them will depend on your hairstyle and your facial features/proportions.
If you wear your hair up or behind the ears, the earrings will be visible, if not you may want to skip the earrings and opt for a necklace as the focal point.
A couple examples:
Long Bali Chandelier Earrings
VI. A Piece with Meaning
This could be a family piece or a piece you picked up on your travels. A keepsake that you can pass on and share its story.
VII. A Couple of Pure Fun Pieces
Have a few fun or trendy pieces that reflect the current season/trends. These can be paired with a casual outfit to help you feel fun and current.
Here are some style suggestions:
Bell Flower Eco Tagua Seed Necklace
Indian Hand Painted Fair Trade Wood Bangles
The above are suggested pieces to have in your jewelry box, but they’re a guideline rather than hard and fast rules. There is a lot more flexibility now in making a statement that reflects our individuality rather than “playing by the rules”. So if you don’t like to wear earrings than don’t feel obligated to have earrings in your collection. If you hate pearls, opt for another stone that you do love.
For the classic pieces invest in quality. In the long run this will save money as you will have a classic piece that will look fabulous for years and you won’t have to keep buying new jewelry every year.
Take care of your jewelry with proper storage and being careful not to spray it with perfume or lotions or bang them while wearing.
Have fun, wear it with love.
Artisan Jewelry Purchases Donated To Breast Cancer Research
August 28, 2008Pangea Collection together with your support would like to make a donation from select jewelry purchases toward Breast Cancer Research in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month – October.
From now until October 31 2008, Pangea Collection will donate $10 from every Sterling Silver Link Bracelet with Heart Pendant to Breast Cancer Research. This handmade silver jewelry piece is from Taxco Mexico and is a beautiful piece of artisan jewelry to treasure.
The bracelet is just $45 and $10 of that goes to Breast Cancer Research. This is a great deal considering a similar bracelet from the blue box company costs around $200.
We hope you will join us in supporting this worthy cause.
Bracelets can be purchased online at Pangea-Collection.com and remember Pangea Collection offers free shipping anywhere in Canada and the US.
Artisan Jewelry Donation to Breast Cancer Research
Jewelry Lessons from Beijing
August 11, 2008A while ago I wrote a blog about travel and jewelry and while I was watching the Olympics in Beijing I just learned that Kerry Walsh of the US Beach Volleyball team lost her wedding ring in the sand while playing yesterday.
Luckily for Kerry all the volunteers after the game took metal detectors out and sifted through the sand until they found her ring. You and I may not be so lucky when we are on vacation playing beach volleyball or lying on the beach on vacation. We won’t likely have a group of volunteers to help us.
Loosing a piece of jewelry that is sentimental would be devastating and could ruin an otherwise amazing vacation. My suggestion again, don’t take any jewelry on vacation of any value. Take fashion jewelry that if you loose it, it might bother you for a few minutes or until you go to the local market and find another amazing piece of fashion jewelry.
For great artisan jewelry options for vacation, take a look at some of the pieces on Pangea-Collection.com
Happy vacationing sans expensive jewelry!
Wearing Jewelry on Vacation
June 19, 2008As summer vacation is right around the corner and a lot of people will travelling to exotic locales I thought I would write about what to do about your jewelry while on vacation.
I have often been to countries where for the most part the citizens are struggling to make a living and women tourists are flashing big diamond rings and all kinds of other expensive jewelry. Personally I think this is an invitation for a robbery. My suggestion is this, leave your valuables at home.
When I moved to Europe to work as an International Brand Director, I knew that I would be travelling to various parts of the world and while I wanted a symbol of my marriage on my finger, I did not want to be wearing my diamond. I asked my husband to buy me a very simple inexpensive wedding band (we paid less than $100 for it). I wore that when I was travelling.
I also suggest that you take fashion jewelry with you but also in limited quantities, not because it may be stolen but because you might want to go shopping while on vacation and pick up lots of wonderful artisan jewelry pieces. You’ll need the room to pack them!
Happy travels and shopping
What are emerging/developing markets?
June 12, 2008Pangea Collection often works with artisans in emerging/developing markets. In case you would like to understand more what these terms mean, below is a brief definition/description.
The term of emerging and developing markets, refers to business and marketing industrialisation that will increase the overall productivity of a nation. An emerging nation is defined as having an economy with low-to-middle per capita income. These countries account for approximately 80% of the global population.
This term was first brought into the light by the economist Antoine van Agtmael and it helps to define those nations that are in-between the emerging and developed stages.
Where ever possible, Pangea-Collection purchases artisan jewelry from Fair Trade Organisations in emerging/developing markets. The aim of these organizations is to aid artists in achieving the art of self reliance while also preserving deep cultural traditions. The following jewelry collections are from Fair Trade Organisations:
Chilean Fair Trade Jewelry Collection
Kenyan Fair Trade Jewelry Collection
Nepalese Fair Trade Jewelry Collection
Indian Fair Trade Jewelry Collection
Thai Fair Trade Jewelry Collection
Ugandan Women’s Cooperative Jewelry Collection
Vegetal Ivory – Corozo Seed Jewelry, Tagua Nut Jewelry
June 10, 2008As society is becoming more and more environmentally conscious, we are looking for alternatives to traditional products which are more environmentally friendly. Whether that be an alternative to a plastic bag or alternative to jewelry. Below is some information about seeds used in artisan jewelry, which have been used for centuries in South America.
Vegetal Ivory is also referred to as corozo. Vegetal Ivory comes from the Tagua nut species found in the equatorial tropics of the South American rain forest and also in the Caribbean. When nut is dried out it can be carved into an ivory replica. Vegetal Ivory is the perfect substitute for ivory, as it saves the lives of the African elephants, and stimulates the growth of the South American and Caribbean economies. You can see corozo seed jewelry and tagua nut jewelry at Pangea-Collection.com in the Caribbean Artisan Jewelry Collection and the Ecuadorian Artisan Jewelry Collection.
Pangea Collection CTV Interview Behind The Scenes
May 30, 2008I thought I would share some pictures of the behind the scenes during the Pangea Collection, Opportunity International Interview on CTV.
The interview highlights some beautiful fair trade jewelry from around the world. Pieces include unique handcrafted jewelry from India, Ecuador, Thailand, Nepal. These pieces highlight the distinctive artisan jewelry traditions which date back centuries.
Here are some shots:
Sunday Shopping Outfit
May 22, 2008Hello here is an outfit I created on Polyvore. I love that site! This one I’ve called Sunday Shopping.
It includes:
- An amazing pair of boots from Betsy Johnson (she’s not usually one of my favs but these boots are to die for!)
- A cute white top
- A pair of skinny jeans (yeah I know, I’ll do another one with trouser jeans but that wouldn’t work with these boots)
- A cross the body bag, with just enough space for that all important credit card. The cross the body bag is really important for shopping, it leaves your arms free and your bag secure!
- New Pangea Collection Fair Trade Indian Camel bone Necklace, oh I love this piece
- Fair Trade Ecuadorian Tagua Seed Bracelet
Here’s the link to Sunday Shopping at Polyvore
New Collection – Uganda Eco Jewelry
May 19, 2008New Ugandan Artisan Jewelry Collection now posted on the Pangea Collection website.
Ugandan Collection
This Collection represents the bead and jewelry craft work of a group of over 20 women in various parts of Uganda. The women in the group are widows, single mothers or students.
For these women the unique handcrafted jewelry that they create as a part of this group is the primary or sole source of income. It provides them with a means to attain medical treatment and educate their children.
There are two different jewelry styles in the Collection, recycled paper bead jewelry and wood seed jewelry.
The recycled paper beads are made from old waste paper especially magazines and other paper of similar texture. To create the beads, the magazines are cut into appropriate widths and lengths depending on the intended finished bead size. The paper pieces are rolled onto a needle in order to maintain a simple hole. As the paper is rolled onto the needle it is glued to make a tightly rolled bead. The beads are dipped in varnish and hung to dry in the sun to provide a pretty polished finish. It takes three days to create the beads from beginning to finished bead. A typical jewelry artisan can assemble 20 necklaces in a day.
