conscious art

Crafted by hand, sese wood beads reveal colorful geometric patterns. Flanked by globes of recycled plastic, these eco friendly earrings boast a natural chic. Elizabeth Alorchie-Apetor names her design Fafa, which means "peace" in the Ewe language.

Akwele Suma designs earrings of maritime charm in a festive yellow hue. She recycles paper by folding it into boats with terracotta masts and recycled plastic bead anchors. These Ghanaian handcrafted earrings exude playful naivete and an eco-conscious mindset.

The artist uses the paper at hand so paper colors will vary, making each design a unique example of handcrafted art. These beads receive a protective coat of clear nail polish.

Working with recycled palo blanco and trumpet tree wood, Guatemalan artisan Julio Molina creates a pair of dangle earrings that make an ecological statement. Two red squares are crafted from the wood, featuring the cutout image of a Mayan warrior. These earrings swing from hooks of sterling silver. Says the artisan, "I being able to create these earrings. They are totally unique. I believe that with these pieces we can be conscious of the great cutting of trees that is affecting our ecosystem."