work bracelets

Braided by hand, a tapered wristband of brown leather circles the wrist. Balinese artisan Nyoman Ariawan crafts the bracelet by hand to culminate in an ornate sterling silver clasps decorated with intricate bun dot work.

This pretty beaded bracelet is the creation of Sang Ayu Sardiwati of Bhakti Senang Hati, a foundation in Bali that assists the physically disabled to attain physical and economic independence and build self-esteem. "Although we live in very limited conditions, my childhood was very happy", says artisan Sang Ayu. "I used to work carrying stones for a dam construction when I was in Junior High School so I can pay the school fee myself. Unfortunately the dam suddenly collapse and huge stones broke my leg. Now I have to use a prosthesis everywhere. I was so depressed, very not confident after the accident, I usually hide and shy whenever people visiting our home. But finally my spirit is back after I saw my parents were crying because my depressed condition. After pray to God, I feel more patient and strong. I even graduated from a university, and I start making handicrafts. After I joined the Foundation, I met my husband and now we have 3 boys." The stretch bracelet is crafted from blue ceramic beads alternating with albesia wood and coconut shell beads.

These pretty beaded bracelets are the creation of Sang Ayu Sardiwati of Bhakti Senang Hati, a foundation in Bali that assists the physically disabled to attain physical and economic independence and build self-esteem. "Although we live in very limited conditions, my childhood was very happy", says artisan Sang Ayu. "I used to work carrying stones for a dam construction when I was in Junior High School so I can pay the school fee myself. Unfortunately the dam suddenly collapse and huge stones broke my leg. Now I have to use a prosthesis everywhere. I was so depressed, very not confident after the accident, I usually hide and shy whenever people visiting our home. But finally my spirit is back after I saw my parents were crying because my depressed condition. After pray to God, I feel more patient and strong. I even graduated from a university, and I start making handicrafts. After I joined the Foundation, I met my husband and now we have three boys." One stretch bracelet is crafted from blue and orange ceramic beads alternating with brown coconut shell beads, while the other is entirely of coconut wood.

Warm reddish-brown agate beads are like droplets of chocolate in this pretty stretch bracelet from Sang Ayu, a member of Bhakti Senang Hati. This non-profit foundation in Bali assists the physically disabled in developing self-esteem and physical and economic independence. The artisan strings the enhanced agate gems on elastic cord for a classic bracelet design.