feel good apparel

Inspired by the colors found in a forest, the members of the K'amolon K'i K'ojonel artisan group from Guatemala design this poncho in shades of green, blue, and purple. The artisans use a backstrap loom to hand-weave the lovely garment from soft rayon fabric. A folded front and a long, fringed back give the poncho a unique, asymmetric shape.

The fun, multicolored design of these stretch bracelets is by Ghana's Cynthia Danquah. Each bracelet is crafted by hand with glass beads alternating with stacked discs recycled from plastic bottles and vinyl records. An energizing design which Danquah calls Odo akoma, an Akan phrase meaning "a heart of love."

Painted by hand, two feathers are carved from bone, dangling below petite beads of garnet. Ayu Ary designs these Balinese earrings, which swing from hooks of sterling silver.

"We as God's creatures must have peaceful feelings and hearts. A peaceful heart allows us to forgive each other for all mistakes, maintain good relations with fellow creatures of God and be grateful for what we have and are. If we can live from the heart, we will feel grateful and will always be at peace" says Aldi.

In his painting, free-flying doves symbolize world peace, and two hands shake in accord, forming a united, yet diverse forest in this dreamy acrylic painting fashioned in the surrealist style.

"Standing as a metaphor for the process of globalization and free movement of people, the greeting of hands is the unification of all continents of the globe, while the trees bridge the gap as the diverse population of the globe."

The artist says his painting interprets world peace as the only way for the relationship between God, humans and the environment to prosper — to be able to forgive each other and set aside common differences.

Alfredo Falcon of Peru designs this striped acrylic poncho with bold colors and a mixture of geometric motifs. A touch of baby alpaca gives adds to the poncho's warmth and feel. Lightweight, the poncho makes a wonderful layering piece.

Alfredo Falcon learned the craft of weaving from his parents, who learned from their parents before them. He says, “We have been a family devoted to the world of textiles for generations. I use modern colors but I remain true to Incan and colonial motifs.”

A colorful gemstone grid aligns with chakra energies to achieve a harmonious sense of well-being. From Alok Jain in India, the sterling silver necklace glistens with amethyst, iolite, citrine, peridot, garnet, blue topaz, and carnelian. Their colors correspond to a specific chakra. Clear and light purple stones are associated with the 7th chakra (awareness and wisdom); the purple, violet and indigo gems with 6th chakra (insight and perception), and the blue or light blue with the 5th, that of communication and truth. Green and pink stones are for love and compassion, linked to the heart, on the 4th chakra. For inner power and will, the 3rd chakra is associated with yellow gems, whereas emotion and sexuality are linked to red and orange gems for the 2nd chakra. Black gems are used to stimulate the 1st chakra, that of stability and security.

In Sanskrit, chakra refers to an energy vortex through which vital universal forces are channeled, and there are believed to be seven in the human body. When all seven are aligned the person feels a healthy sense of well-being.

.925 Sterling silver.

This floral medallion with multi colored petals is designed to energize the chakras. From Alok Jain, the sterling silver necklace is studded with amethyst, quartz, iolite, citrine, peridot, garnet and carnelian. The gems total 1.3 carats and their colors relate to a specific chakra: clear and light purple stones are associated with the 7th chakra (awareness and wisdom); the purple, violet and indigo gems with 6th chakra (insight and perception), and the blue or light blue with the 5th, that of communication and truth. Green and pink stones are for love and compassion, linked to the heart, on the 4th chakra. For inner power and will, the 3rd chakra is associated with yellow gems, whereas emotion and sexuality are linked to red and orange gems for the 2nd chakra. Black gems are used to stimulate the 1st chakra, that of stability and security.

In Sanskrit, chakra refers to an energy vortex through which vital universal forces are channeled, and there are believed to be seven in the human body. When all seven are aligned the person feels a healthy sense of well-being.

.925 Sterling silver.

In Sanskrit, chakra refers to an energy vortex through which vital universal forces are channeled, and there are believed to be seven in the human body. When all seven are aligned, the person feels a healthy sense of well-being and emotional balance. Colorful gems of powerful beauty are designed to align with their respective chakras in these dangle earrings from Alok Jain. Crafted of polished sterling silver, the earrings feature faceted amethyst, iolite, citrine, peridot, garnet, blue topaz and carnelian.

.925 Sterling silver.