gifts for nature lovers

Guatemalan artisan Iliana Hernandez masters the intricate craft of crochet in this adorable decorative accent featuring a colorful llama. Crafted using the Japanese amigurumi technique, it is an enchanting accessory that will bring warmth and life to your surroundings.

The solitary kingfisher thrives in the tropics where the colorful creatures fish for food. Cesar Gonzales depicts a beautiful avian couple in natural gemstones. Cool green serpentine and rich brown aragonite become soft feathers in the sculptor's hands. Boasting crests of rose quartz and sodalite, they feature accents of onyx, red jasper and white quartz. Each perches on a white onyx base with gleaming bronze feet.

“My designs come in striking colors that represent Costa Rica, with the idea of capturing some of the richness of these colors and our beautiful native animals to make you fall in love with them,” says Costa Rican artisan Ferlander Arguedas. To create this colorful cushion cover, he uses different painting techniques and sublimation for printing. The cushion cover features Costa Rican native flora and fauna, such as parrots, toucans and frogs, in vibrant colors. The back is plain, with a zipper closure to fit the cushion.

A small flock of birds sits among the floral blooms of a huge tree in this lovely pair of cushion covers. Designed by artisan Amit Moza from India, white cotton is used as a base for the gorgeous aari embroidery. This particular type of embroidery, a specialty of Kashmiri artisans, involves a hooked needle that creates the unique chain-stitch seen on these elegant covers. Shades of blue thread are used for the friendly fowl, which makes them stand out beautifully against the light, earthy tones of green and brown chosen for the tree. The backs of the covers are plain white, and feature a slit opening for the cushions.

Flowers and vibrant leaves surround the stunning beauty of a butterfly, capturing El Salvador's magical aura. Artist Mónica Mónico paints this naif scene by hand, working with sweet and colorful hues that convey the region's tropical aura. The artwork is then added to a sturdy pinewood frame, creating a sublime tray whose dark brown hue and resin coat make it the perfect complement to a joyous gathering with friends and family, all celebrating this land's glorious nature.

Flowers, fruits and vibrant leaves surround the glorious beauty of a garden, capturing El Salvador's unique aura. Artist Mónica Mónico paints this naif scene by hand, working with captivating and colorful hues that convey the region's tropical aura. The artwork is then added to a sturdy pinewood frame, creating a superb tray whose brown hue and resin coat make it the perfect complement to a cheerful gathering with friends and family, all celebrating this land's stunning nature.

Chakras align in the form of seven faceted gemstones held within a sterling silver figure in a meditative pose. Alok Jain's pendant necklace is simple yet elegant in its design as it represents the seven centers of spiritual energy found in the body when practicing yoga or meditating. Red garnet depicts the foundational root chakra, with a carnelian stone above it for the sacral chakra, which relates to accepting change. Yellow citrine for the solar plexus chakra stands for confidence, and green peridot for the heart chakra and love. Blue topaz for communication sits in the throat chakra position, and the figure's head holds iolite for the focusing third eye chakra. The line is finished at the top with a purple amethyst, held aloft, representing the crown chakra that promotes spiritual connection.

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.

Buddha is at one with nature in this fabulous mask by Gung Gus. He carves the mask by hand from crocodile wood and paints it with exquisite details. Lush trees, colorful birds and blushing flowers reveal Buddha's peaceful heart.

The alley cat does her best to stay in the shadows. Contending with other night creatures, the feline also prefers to be neither seen nor heard. No wonder they call them "cat burglars!" The nocturnal nature of the notorious alley prowler is captured in beautiful detail by Balinese artisan Made Wardika. The circular pendant features a smiling crescent-moon, hand-carved from bone, with a cat of sterling silver sitting beside it. A pair of faceted garnet gemstones flank them, while the top and bottom are adorned with amethyst and peridot gems. The entire necklace receives a combination of oxidized and high-polish finishes for stunning visual contrast.

Ghanaian artisan Christiana Asare designs and hand-crafts this pair of cotton and silk cushion covers as if they were wrapped gifts complete with big red bows. She strategically places the bows over a lovely floral pattern which results in a winning combination for any space. The covers come with stainless steel zippers and thanks to their wonderful colors and accents will spice up your everyday life.

A contemplative Buddha takes on the face of nature in this mesmerizing mask by Gung Gus. Detailed with vivid artistry, the mask is carved by hand of seasoned crocodile wood. This inspiring piece is delicately painted with acrylics.