beautiful handmade bracelets

Maria Astuhuaman creates a bright and beautiful unity bracelet. A polished disc of sterling silver poses on red faux leather. It bears the letter S, ending in an arrow. In 2015, world leaders adopted mutual objectives to help eradicate poverty and assure prosperity while protecting the planet. "The pendant depicts the symbol for Objective 12, which seeks to do more with less and disconnect economic growth from ecological destruction, as we try to promote sustainable lifestyles," the Peruvian artisan explains. With this design, she encourages us to live in unity with nature.

Three coca leaves come together in a bouquet known as a kintu. In Andean thought, it is a symbol of the union of the three worlds — the worlds of the living, of the dead and of the gods. It is also a favorite offering to Pachamama, the Mother Earth. Centering a red cord unity bracelet by Jorge Perez, the pendant is crafted of sterling silver.

Hands clasp one another in a gesture of solidarity. "This design is inspired by togetherness and empathy in our most difficult moments. I want to share my hope that we can unite without borders, without differences, and overcome our problems in life," Jose Luis Pariona confides. "I want to give life and hope." The Andean artisan displays his sterling silver pendant on a red cord unity bracelet.

"I chose to make this bracelet with two glass bead ties that symbolize union. The small beads of different colors, sizes and textures represent the community — all different but sharing the dream of having a better future," artisan Cristobal Ramirez says. |He combines seed beads in brown, green and blue, all beautiful earth colors in his original unity bracelet.