experiences for gifts

Calm waves of turquoise hues will accompany your days while adding a handy touch. Laura Leticia Burrion of Guatemala designs this gorgeous cotton pencil case inspired by the region's serene nature. Accented with a tan leather trim and tassel, the piece has a zipper that securely closes a generous polyester linen interior, making it ideal for your writing tools or makeup essentials.

Thick yarns add rich texture to this fascinating kente cloth shawl by Gobah Tengey-Seddoh. Strips of black, white and Delft blue make a dramatic and handsome color combination. Designed and woven of coarse local cotton in the 12th century, the lokpo pattern means "heavy or thick in texture."

Each strip requires considerable effort, and the looms are worked with both hands and feet. Strips are generally three to four inches wide and seven to ten feet long, and the length of time it takes to complete one strip varies by the complexity of the chosen pattern. The simplest use mostly vertical, or warp patterns, and an experienced weaver can make several of those in one day. However patterns with nearly all weft (horizontal thread) patterns where the warp design is hardly visible can take up to four days to complete an individual strip. Each color has its own meanings in Asante culture. Green is fertility and new harvest, gold is royalty, black is strength, aging and spirituality, while white is purity. The patterns themselves are carefully chosen symbols, which a master weaver develops and names, often to honor people, historical events, or proverbs.

Experience the perfect blend of functionality and elegance with this stunning cotton wallet in dazzling purple and ivory tones. Hand-woven with utmost skill by the artisans of the Life and Hope Women's Association (Asociacion de Mujeres Vida y Esperanza) in Guatemala, the wallet is secured with a reliable zippered closure and unveils a fully lined interior boasting four compartments, a practical zippered pocket and three card slots.

Experience the cozy embrace of this colorful knit scarf, fashioned from the finest baby alpaca in Peru. Its earth tone shades and intricate square patterns create a stunning visual feast. Ana Fernandez designs this accessory to provide both exceptional warmth and a radiant focal point for your winter wardrobe.

Make winter a cozy and charming experience with Wilfredo Herencia’s fingerless mittens, made of soft alpaca yarns in a midnight hue. Reversible patterns provide two stylish looks in one, making the pair flexible and effortlessly elegant.

Experience the perfect blend of style and comfort with this sleek hat in a sophisticated charcoal shade. Knitted from 100% alpaca yarns, Peruvian artisan Alfredo Falcon’s lovely creation boasts rich textures and promises to keep you cozy and fashionable throughout the winter.

Experience the sheer elegance of this dreamy handwoven silk scarf whose harmonious blend of burgundy and pink hues creates an enchanting visual symphony. Crafted by Nurmukhammad Valiyev, this fringed accessory showcases the artistry of traditional Uzbek ikat techniques. Enhance any outfit with this truly remarkable and stylish scarf designed to make a lasting impression.

A pair of comfortable beige and green socks that can be worn every day and on any occasion are knitted from native Peruvian cotton by artisans working alongside American anthropologist Dr. James M. Vreeland, Jr., with over 30 years of experience researching ecological textiles and who established a program to sustainably source, manufacture, and export eco-friendly textile items from Lima. Products like these unisex stockings help maintain the traditions of several local communities that subsist on native cotton or pakucho, which has been produced in Peru for nearly five millennia.

Medium: Fits men's shoe sizes 5.5 to 11 and women's shoe sizes 7.5 to 12.

Large: Fits men's shoe sizes 11 to 13 and women's shoe sizes 12 to 15.