good dresses

In hues of blue, purple, green, and black, elegant clouds reveal hand-stamped batik motifs in this long sundress from Bali. Galuh Kenanga designs this breezy rayon piece, featuring a gathered frill on the hem and a tie neckline with spaghetti straps.

A cheerful troupe of angels delivers good tidings in this set of 6 ornaments from the Bali cooperative Bhakti Senang Hati. The ornaments are crafted from albesia wood and painted by hand. The Balinese foundation assists people with physical disabilities to develop self confidence, physical and economic independence.

By Made Suciati in Bali, this rayon blouse is detailed with intricate hand embroidery and lacework. Colorful flowers decorate this piece, which is finished with cap sleeves.

Crowned with stars, the milky face of the moon appears to glow from within. Buana of Bali presents this beautiful cuff bracelet, crafted from sterling silver and set with a cameo of hand-carved cow bone. The bracelet is further embellished with precious carnelian, blue topaz, and peridot stones.

.925 Sterling silver

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.

There's nothing better than waking up to a Christmas stocking stuffed with goodies. Wake up to four stockings next year with Nik's darling set of ornaments. The Balinese artisan stuff the stockings with poly fill for just the right shape, then tops them off with festive polyester ribbons and aluminum flowers.

"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.

"My definition of world peace is the desire of every human being who decides and chooses to be at peace in their own way. If humans realize we can all choose to make peace by asking God to give us a heart that is peaceful and calm, then there will be no war. My hope for world peace is that all beings can individually create something good and respect each other, and then peace will be established," says Ida Ratna Ningrum.

The artist advocates for harmony and goodwill with her daydream-like painting "Pray for Peace." With idyllic realism, Ida creates a desert landscape symbolic of societal conflicts and scarcity, dominated by a prayerful young woman in a pink dress.

The artist explains that the cat and white rabbit symbolize rebirth and new beginnings, respectively, as they accompany the girl in her quest for peace. Circling above, white doves soar freely, symbolizing the release of a new period of peace under a pure blue sky. Thriving around the young woman, cacti, prickly pears and aloe represent the protection provided by mother nature, even in times of friction. An encouraging reminder of human resilience, the painting calls for a new peaceful era on planet Earth.

"Peace is the desire of every human being around the world," says the artist. "Prayer is a method of expression from a person to God and the universe. A sad girl sees a beautiful world without any feelings of peace, as if there is always war. She prays to God that the world will always be at peace without any war. If the world is free from war, the world will be peaceful, serene, and prosperous."