Not being ones to play favorites, we still have to say - this batch of jewelry, fresh from our delightful lady partners in Jinja, Uganda, is possibly the most striking yet! The necklaces are much longer and the ladies have made all sets with coordinating earrings and a bracelet! The beads in these sets are really, really amazing. They have varied the size, shape & color this time and it all adds up to a true work of art. Here's the story of how we came to sell this jewelry... Unknown to most of us, there is a population of women a world away in Jinja, Uganda struggling just to survive. Each day is a struggle to dodge the devastating "bullets" of malaria, hunger, water-borne disease, sheer poverty, and AIDS. For many, if not most, they are fighting a losing battle... We have become aware of and are now taking concrete steps to help a group of women living in Jinja, Uganda, by being part of their efforts to learn a trade and then sell their works. The women are being taught viable trades such as sewing (see the pictures of the little shorts made from paper concrete mix bags!) and jewelry-making. They go to a sort of shed-like structure, all open-air, each day and are taught these trades and are given opportunities to sell what they've made. Mainly, they count on tourists to buy a few things here and there. As you might imagine, though, tourism to Jinja, Uganda is not exactly a bustling industry. These women need other avenues of commerce besides just the occasional tourist there locally. This is where The Beautiful Life has decided to become involved. Can you think of a broader avenue of commerce than the world-wide-web?? And, what better product to offer to you women than one made from a fellow woman who is in dire need. You get a beautiful, handmade piece of wearable art and in turn, you help change her life -- her world. Each piece is handmade and therefore each bead varies and each piece of jewelry will vary. The ladies in Uganda sent us one big batch of this particular type of jewelry and since it is all fairly similar and not really able to be broken out into colors, etc., we ask that you simply let us choose for you. The jewelry is sold as a set: 1 necklace, 1 bracelet, and 1 pair of earrings. The necklaces are approximately 50" long when undone (so, 50" in a straight line) then 25" from neck to waist, if not doubled-up. The bracelets are approximately 3" but are made on transparent elastic cord, so they stretch. Earrings will vary widely but all have hook insertion and are for pierced ears. |
Toll Free: 888.393.1133 Email: info@thebeautifullife.com |