For a truly global marketplace, stop in at NOVICA. This innovative shopping experience partners with National Geographic to feature home décor, jewelry, apparel, and artwork by some 2,000 artists from the Andes, Bali and Java, Brazil, India, Mexico, Thailand and West Africa. With its online distribution model, NOVICA removes layers of middle men and their markups, allowing the artisans to make more money while customers get lower prices. NOVICA wants shoppers to know the artisans behind the product, stating, “We want you to feel that attachment to the product and to the hands that created it.” With that in mind, every item includes a profile of the artist. You can read his or her personal story, “save” him to your favorite artists list and search for more of his works. For instance, we found this exquisite hand-tooled mahogany and leather table designed by Peruvian craftsman Abel Rios ($178); when you click on his other items, a list of 60-plus pieces — including jewelry boxes, chairs, ottomans, and more — comes up. Create your own virtual bazaar by starting an account to keep track of your favorite items, whether it’s this striped alpaca wool shawl ($66) or the striking “White Torch” photograph ($130); you can even send photos or painting as e-cards. If you’re in the market for something unique for a special someone, try the GiftFinder for ideas, such as these bright bamboo boxes ($105) by Wayan Genep from Bali as a corporate gift. But our favorite NOVICA market is the GiftAnimals section, with everything from the silver Elephant Parade cuff bracelet ($118) and this charming Playful Cat key holder ($45) to this whimsical “Zebra as Acrobat” sculpture ($273; pictured) and an array of animal masks. Now, that puts the world at your fingertips!
Since Mother’s Day will be here before you know it, it’s time to start thinking about a gift for the special mom in your life. New moms celebrating their first Mother’s Day deserve special consideration.
If you want to give a gift that is sure to become a treasured family heirloom, check out jewelry designer Barry Kronen’s new Babylicious collection, available at Ylang 23. When you send in a cherished photo, this image is then etched into the 18-karat gold charm of your choice using state-of-the-art technology.
Spring is the season not only of Easter but also of First Communions and confirmations. For little girls, the major purchase related to their First Communion (also called the First Holy Eucharist) is the celebratory white dress. MyGirlDress.com (also a good site for flower girl dresses, junior bridesmaid outfits and ring bearer tuxedos) has several of these pretty, long-skirted, white lacy dresses. The cap-sleeve Communion dress has a satin bodice and triple-layered tulle skirt ($59.50). A tea-length satin trim dress with organza skirt (pictured) has an adorable flower waistband and sash ($43.50). Sacco Company sells a wide variety of religious gifts and accessories. A First Communion Bible with a special prayer section comes in blue or pink ($22.95). The Catholic Company sells an attractive brushed-metal First Communion photo album ($15) and a pewter picture frame ($16), etched with First Communion symbols. For confirmation, Catholic teens traditionally select a saint from whom to take their confirmation name, and a medal of that saint in gold or sterling silver, with a chain, makes a nice present. The Catholic Company’s catalog of saint medals has medal and chain combinations priced from $28 to $50. Abbey Press has a nice etched glass Confirmation plaque, decorated with a cross and dove ($30). Appropriate for both boys and girls, this Confirmation bracelet includes a pewter accent on a black cord ($12).
The designers at Ecoist have made a name for themselves with cute, clever goods that sturdily rework material that would otherwise have gone to waste: a line of handbags made from old movie billboards, for instance, or bracelets made from folded-up candy wrappers. Their new line of clutches, though ($58 each), sports a design that suggests the purses might have their own second life after serving their initial purpose: The sleek handbags (the Diva clutch is pictured), in materials ranging from funky to mod, are already available in a dainty 7.5-inch length, but are about to be offered in a swanky foot-long version that will look good at a nightclub. If and when the winds of fashion make them undesirable, though, give them to a guy like me, because I’ve found a perfect reuse: One of those foot-long clutches is the perfect size to hold a pocket digital camera, an iPod, a GPS and a cell phone (plus a couple of stray wires and headphones) so they won’t jostle around or get smashed in your backpack or suitcase; the quilty con- struction makes it rigid and padded enough that you needn’t worry much when struggling through airport security, and it can be retrieved easily from a plane’s overhead compartment for all your digi-entertainment needs. (Incidentally: The candy wrappers, soda labels and food packages used for this line are “repurposed” instead of “recycled,” which means they’ve never contained anything edible or ant-attracting; instead, they’re manufacturer misprints or excess packaging that would have gone into landfills if someone didn’t find a way to use them.)
It’s almost sandal weather, tank-top and shorts time, the season of swimsuits drying on the line. If you’re already showing a bit more skin than usual, you might want to add one or two pieces of jewelry in an unexpected place.
No, we aren’t suggesting a new piercing, but maybe a toe ring? They’re fun and they bring an exotic flare to one little piggy while the other nine reap the extra attention.
Toe-rific Jewelry makes simple, inexpensive fitted rings, such as the sun-catching, gold-filled silver multi-hammered ring ($15). If you prefer gold jewelry, the Plumeria band ($60), a circle of little flowers, is delicate and feminine.
You may think you’re looking chic at work with those cute oversized hoop earrings or that trendy chunky bracelet, but you’re not.
That’s because of what is hanging around your neck. That clunky ID badge, bearing your name, rank and employee number, pretty much blows any style statement.
It generally hangs on a utilitarian black cord thingy and is probably the first thing people notice about your carefully crafted look.
But you don’t have to live under the thumb of the workplace fashion police. What you need is a bejeweled practical accessory.
Being a fool for wienie dogs, I’m always on the lookout for dachshund-inspired objects and books, but my amazement at Fuzzy Nation Couture’s faux-crocodile red dachshund ($180, pictured), Burrberry chihuahua($59), and bronze pug ($140) handbags has led me to several wacky animal-inspired fashions. If you’re saying, “But what will I wear with those nutty handbags?” Fuzzy Nation also offers newsboy hats ($32) and brooches ($12) to complete your ensemble. Carnaval and Mardi Gras 2008 may be over, but Halloween costume parties can give you reason to wear Laurie Jacob’s Blowfish Bra ($250) from her Spiky Bras collection. The padded push-up bra is made of 100 percent breathable synthetic, and the designer promises that “proceeds from all sales will go to my eventual analysis.” Over at Etsy, artist Neile’s Butterfly Wing Jewelry combines fine silversmithing with an eye for design and a love of butterflies. “The butterflies I use are farmed all over the world, and harvested after their natural death. No butterflies are killed for my use,” Neile reassures, for guilt-free shopping. Also at Etsy, check out the Cool Kitten Skirts like this one ($43.95) by Koosi, an artist from the Netherlands, or this “seriously cool” one from Kinchi ($43). Cool? I don’t know about that, but they’re awfully cute if you’re into kittens. Whatever species you adore, go get your wacky animal groove on.
