Long Dangling Hammered Circle Earrings

Silver Cuff Bracelet - Wire Bead Bracelet

Stunning Silver Filigree Heart Pendant

The new handmade silver jewelry from Mexico includes cocktail artisan rings, silver cuff bracelets, 925 sterling silver link bracelets (heart bracelet, square link bracelets), solid silver necklaces, handmade silver earrings and more. Check out the whole collection of Mexican Silver Jewelry.

Classic Silver Hoop Earrings

The pieces that have just arrived range from beautiful hand painted fashion bangles, to harmony ball bracelets to Bali handmade silver jewelry rings.

Check out all the Bali fair trade jewelry on the Pangea Collection site.

Fair Trade Jewelry From Bali Indonesia

Another way to support fair trade is to increase awareness by reading about fair trade and fair trade producers. In a previous article the Karen Tribe was highlighted as one such group of fair trade jewelry producers. In this article, another fair trade jewelry artisan group, the Mien will be featured.

The lu Mien are heavily influenced by Chinese culture and are believed to have originated from southern China. At least a million Mien are still living in China and there are also settlements found in Vietnam, Laos and Thailand. In Thailand the Mien are mostly residing to the north of Chiang Rai or Phavao province.

The lu Mien arrived in Thailand from Laos in during the latter half of the 19th century. There are no sub-tribal groupings within the Mien population, so there is little difference in the customary dress and appearance of the group. A woman’s outfit would include a black turban and a red ruff which has the appearance of a boa even though it is sewn into the front part of the tunic’s collar. The woman’s pants are heavily embroidered and are worn underneath a black or dark blue colored tunic that extends to the ankle. The outfit is tied with a wide sash. Women and children also wear silver neck rings with chains of silver ornaments attached that extend down their back.

For the Mien handmade silver jewelry is more than an adornment, it is also a statement of status and wealth. The silver jewelry worn by a young Mien woman helps a suitor to decide on a prospective bride.
Skilled silversmiths handcraft silver into intricate chains and petite flowers creating exquisite pieces of handmade silver jewelry that a Mien bride will wear in a heavy cascade down her back.

Handmade Silver Necklace - Mien

Many fair trade jewelry etailers support the Mien jewelry artisans and in doing so help maintain the high craft skills of a justly product ethnic culture while also enabling them to earn an income to support their families.

Consider supporting fair trade artisans when you purchase products especially during fair trade month.

Today is a post on the Karen Tribe. Pangea Collection purchases pieces of artisan jewelry from members of the Karen Tribe via a fair trade organisation in Thailand where members of this tribe live.

The Karen Tribe in Thailand are in the northern Lamphun Province and they draw on their ethnic tribal background for their traditional skills and artistry working with silver.

Karen women adorn themselves with handmade silver jewelry for occasions such as New Year festivities – when they know they will be visited by young men from neighbouring villages. The handmade silver jewelry that they display denotes wealth, and in some communities the young men craft artifacts from silver to be worn by their future brides on their wedding day.

Today the majority of men do not actively practice the craft of artisan jewelry making, however women have become silver jewelry artisans in order to generate income.

There is a sophisticated simplicity in the craft designs of the Karen. The ethnic motifs and matte finish of their traditional handmade silver jewelry reflect their affinity with nature as featured in the appealing jewelry skilfully adapted for contemporary lifestyle.

Pangea-Collection.com features a collection of Karen handmade silver jewelry which reflects the highest quality craftsmanship, intricately assembled and finished. Please consider supporting Fair Trade Month and one way you can do that is by treating yourself to a beautiful piece of fair trade jewelry from Thailand.

Karen Artisan Fair Trade Silver Necklace

Taxco, Mexican jewelry is very popular for the 925 jewelry and artisan jewelry pieces that reflect the long history of silver mining and later silver smithing in Taxco, Mexico.

These new handcrafted silver jewelry pieces not only reflect the artisan jewelry style of Mexican jewelry but also the latest trend toward large earrings and chandelier earrings. There are also two other pieces in the new collection which are silver bangles and a silver choker.

Take a look at the new pieces in the Mexican Jewelry Collection.

Silver Bangle Bracelet

Silver Bangle Bracelet - Mexican Jewelry

Silver Choker Necklace

Silver Choker Necklace

Silver Hoop Earrings

Silver Hoop Earrings - Mexican Jewelry

Silver Hammered Disc Earrings

Silver Hammered Disc Earrings - Mexican Collection

Hope you like the new collection.

New pieces include fabulous chandelier earrings, dangling earrings, hoop earrings, loop earrings silver choker necklace and a silver bangle bracelet.

Long Silver Chandelier Earrings

The history of Independence Day – The Grito de Delores:
On September 16th, 1810 a priest in the small town of Dolores, Guanajuato by the name of Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla called upon the town’s people to rise up against the Spanish. This calling was the initiation of Mexico’s War of Independence. Even though independence was not achieved until 1821 September 16th has become the day of celebration. The citizens of Mexico commemorate the initiation of the war in town centres across the country on September 16th every year, the event is known as the Grito de Delores.
Mexican’s are known for their celebrations and Independence Day is no exception. Celebrations include noisemakers, flag waving and fireworks.

Of course one of the many things we love the about Mexico is the beautiful silver, artisan jewelry designs. Our friends in Taxco, Mexico who design and craft handmade silver jewelry for Pangea Collection are off today with their friends and family enjoying the celebration.

Pangea Collection will have several new pieces arriving later this week from Taxco Mexico, check back soon.

Cheers!

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

Sterling Silver Link Necklace

The second is a classic semi precious jewelry piece from a local Toronto jewelry artisan.

Citrine Necklace

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

Chilean Stone & Silver Ring

Fair trade jewelry Chilean Silver and Semi precious stone ring

Balinese Silver Band

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.

Heart Pendant Link Bracelet

Balinese Onyx & Silver Bead Bracelet

Artisan jewelry - Onyx and Silver Bracelet

Balinese Silver Bangle

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:

Loop Earrings

Chandelier Earrings

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

Tagua Eco Seed Necklace

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.