VirtuArte.com

Yesterday I read an article in Forbes.com by Angie Chang, a woman business owner, who has yet to start her Holiday Shopping.  A few weeks ago she was reading a blog post about a woman business owner and her product and immediately thought this product would make a great Holiday gift.  In this article she wonders if she can spend at least 50% of her Holiday Gift dollars on women-led businesses.  Angie has decided to compile a Holiday Shopping Guide of awesome products and services created by women-led companies and has called for nominations.

I think this is a wonderful idea and want to be a part of this Guide.  It is a fact that women put their money straight back into the economy, to everyone's benefit.  In the developing world it has been found that the greater control over the household resources women have, the more those resources are spent to benefit their children.  So help VirtuArte out.  Nominations must be submitted by 16 November 2011.  Send your favorite VirtuArte item to Angie.  You will need to include our Twitter handle, which is @VirtuArte.  To help you out I have compiled our top ten list of items handcrafted by women artisans.

Metallic Clutch
It is only when you get up close to this clutch do you see it is created from post-consumer recycled pull tabs and the bottoms of aluminum cans.  It is crocheted together by women artisans in Brazil using an entirely original technique.

Tagua Chip Bracelet
This bracelet made from tagua seeds, which comes from the fruit of a palm tree found in the Amazon Rainforest, sustainably harvested, dried, chipped and dyed with natural dyes.  Once dry, the chips are strung by women artisans in Colombia.

Hand-woven Silk Shawl
An exquisite shawl made from hand spun silk and hand-woven by women artisans in Ethiopia.  This shawl has a window-pane design woven into it, fringed trim and embellished with flowers made from the silkworm cocoons.

Leaf Earrings
Hand-woven exclusively by left-handed women artisans in Brazil, these golden grass earrings shimmer with a warmth and luster more commonly associated with gold jewelry.

Stripped Bamboo Chenille Scarf
This red and black stripped bamboo chenille scarf is hand-woven on a traditional back strap loom by women of the Asociacion Maya de Desarrollo, a women's cooperative in Guatemala.

Cerrado Flower Brooch
This handcrafted multicolored flower brooch is made of "real" leaves.  The petals of the flower are cerrado leaves, Brazilian vegetation that is sustainably harvested.  Each leaf is de-chlorophyllized, dried and dyed and then made into this eco-friendly piece of jewelry by women artisans in Brazil.

Embroidered Wallet
This wallet is embroidered with traditional Acehnese designs, which can be found on the front panel, back and front.  The embroidery is done by women who survived the 2004 earthquake and tsunami in Indonesia.

Hand painted Box
The top of this box has a brightly, hand painted vertical pattern created by Monica Hintze, an up and coming Brazilian artist.  The box itself is made of recycled wood, has a hinged lid and is lined.

Raffia Throw Pillow
A throw pillow made of raffia, a natural fiber from dried palm tree leaves, and hand-woven by women artisans in Swaziland.  The pillow comes with a down filler.

Alpaca Baby Hat & Booties
VirtuArte does not carry baby items, however I thought these alpaca baby hat & booties from Global Goods Partners were so adorable I had to add them to the list.  They are hand-woven by women artisans in Bolivia of alpaca yarn and dyed with all natural materials.  Each is accented with playful scenes of white and grey alpacas, the llama-like animal native to Bolivia. 

I founded VirtuArte to help create awareness of these pieces of folk art and fine crafts and to sell these items to an international clientele.  These products are often expressions of traditions and customs that are slowly dying out because there is insufficient incentive -- economical or cultural -- to pass on these traditions/skills on to the next generation.  Through the increased awareness of their art and the ability to generate an income, it is my belief these artists will be encouraged and have an incentive to continue their traditional weaving, carving, sculpting and painting and pass their skills onto the next generation.

Help me to create greater awareness of and desire for these fabulous pieces of art.  Remember nominations to the 2011 Holiday Shopping Guide of awesome products and services created by women-led business must be in by the 16th of November.