patchwork

Based on the traditional techniques developed in Rajasthan, India, this wall hanging is handcrafted of recycled patchwork material, sewn together with cotton. Anil Khandelwal designs the rectangular wall hanging, depicting a fabulous yellow elephant against a body of aqua. He finishes the wall hanging with intricate floral zari embroidery alongside beads and sequins. A floral motif border surrounds the central image.

A cute tiny doll adorns a vibrant design presented by India's Himani Gupta. Perfect for everyday use, this cotton toiletry bag features a patchwork pattern in citron, emerald, tangerine and strawberry hues. In addition, it comes with a zipper closure and two interior open pockets, making it a convenient accessory you can carry anywhere.

Originated by the Akan peoples of Ghana, colorful kente cloth is the best-known of all African textiles. Kente cloth is woven in strips, which is how it came by its name (kente means "basket" in the Ashanti dialect). Ghana's Rachel Armah creates this colorful cotton blend scarf in cheerful shades of purple, green and yellow. She names her design nyiraba, which means "blessed child" in the Akan dialect.

In kente cloth, each color has a symbolic meaning: black symbolizes maturation and intensified spiritual energy; blue signifies peacefulness, harmony and love; green symbolizes vegetation, planting, harvesting, growth, and spiritual renewal; gold represents royalty, wealth, high status, glory, and spiritual purity; grey is for healing and cleansing rituals; maroon signifies the color of mother earth, associated with healing; pink and purple are associated with the female essence and female aspects of life; red symbolizes political and spiritual moods, bloodshed, sacrificial rites and death; silver is associated with the moon and represents serenity, purity, and joy; white is for purification, sanctification rites and festive occasions; and yellow represents preciousness, royalty, wealth, fertility, and beauty.

Peruvian artisan Maria Ramos Sanchez handcrafts this mobile phone case with an arpillera style front, in which cotton blend felt is appliquéd and embroidered to create an elaborate scene. The artisan was inspired by the beautiful Tambopata National Reserve of Peru, and fills this jungle scene with scarlet macaws perched in flowering trees, a tiger stalking through the foliage on the jungle floor, and a sloth peeking out from amongst the branches. This lovely, brightly colored scene is on a yellow background, and the back and lining of the bag are black. The single compartment is secured with a zipper and a long, colorful strap makes it easy to carry the case over the shoulder or across the body.

Indian artisan Anil Khandelwal uses lively printed motifs resembling patchwork to create these vibrant bedspreads. Finished with a contrasting running kantha stitch all over. In lovely sunflower and white that reverses from printed to solid. Comes with two matching pillow shams.

Ghanaian artist Emmanuel Atiemoh Yeboah arranges diverse batik textiles on this patchwork composition made to spread a message of self-empowerment. Proud of his heritage, the artisan carefully chooses the materials to use, cutting and setting them on a calico cloth, forming a strong fist that symbolizes resilience and courage.