fair trade gifts for her

You'll be ready for anything with this beautiful and practical shoulder bag from Peru's Kathiana Quispe. Crafted from supple leather in black and dark brown, the shoulder bag features a front flap pocket accented with embossed motifs and a colorful, hand-loomed wool textile with Andean motifs. The fully-lined interior includes a zipper pocket for small items; the bag also has a zipper pocket on the back. An adjustable shoulder strap allows you to carry it at a comfortable length.

Inspired by ancient Inca patterns, this shoulder bag is hand crafted from 100% alpaca. The artisans of the Center for Traditional Textiles of Cusco start from scratch to create it--raising the alpacas and llamas to obtain the fleece; shearing, dyeing and spinning the wool; and weaving the textile on a traditional waist loom. The fully-lined bag closes with a zipper and features an interior zipper pocket.

Kathiana Quispe of Peru designs this colorful leather and suede sling bag featuring an embossed llama and Incan motifs. Fully lined with a zip closure. Adjustable strap..

Embossed by hand, a llama centers this red and black suede sling from Peru. Kathiana Quispe crafts a handbag of stunning beauty. It drapes over the shoulder on an adjustable strap. An outer pocket zips closed and the single inner pocket is lined in black.

Emmanuel Nyadedzor creates this set of three petite African masks using his own original designs. Each one is crafted in a traditional weeks-long process. Carved and painted by hand, they are embellished with the rich textures of aluminum repoussé. The Ghanaian artisan names the trio Sefam, which means "my soul has favored me" in the Ewe language.

Hanzi are characters used in Chinese writing. As early as the sixth century A.D., many of these characters began to be simplified and adopted into Japanese writing, where they're known as kanji, a term that is more widely used in the West. Artisans in Yiwu, China, create these pendants by using sterling silver and the lost-wax casting method. Each character emulates the sweeping brushstrokes of traditional calligraphy. Choose based on birth month, favorite color, or simply the symbol that resonates with you most.

January: Garnet/Beauty, February: Amethyst/Generosity, March: Blue Topaz/Affection, April: White Quartz/Love, May: Green Quartz/Sweetness, June: White Pearl/Longevity, July: Carnelian/Perfection, August: Peridot/Purity, September: Iolite/Protection, October: Pink Tourmaline/Happiness, November: Citrine/Artistry, December: Turquoise/Imagination.