Infusing your wardrobe with excitement, stars take shape in multicolored, petite glass beads in a luxurious pair of dangle earrings from Mexico. Adriana Trejo designs and crafts them, and adds hooks of sterling silver.
"I craft jewelry with tiny colorful seed beads we call 'chaquira.' I learned from my parents and they were taught by their grandparents; this family art has been handed down for generations."
Latest Update “Five years ago I joined Novica. I think that one of the most important achievements is that I have been...Latest Update
“Five years ago I joined Novica. I think that one of the most important achievements is that I have been able to grow, not only as an artisan but also financially. Thanks to the fact that my sales have always been good at Novica, I have been able to give work to other artisans who also know how to work with beads. That makes me very happy because many of them are my relatives so in some way I feel that I also share my achievements with them. In addition, that gives me some benefits, such as being able to choose which models to make of the ones I like the most in my pieces. Now, unlike before, I can give myself the opportunity to do the pieces that I enjoy doing the most, and that benefits me because I enjoy the process more, I get less stressed and I distribute my time better.
“Before selling at Novica my income was not so stable and it was very difficult, even impossible, for me to save some money. Being with Novica has not only brought me more sales and advice, but it has also been willing to help me when I needed it, and that has translated into better economic stability, which has given me the opportunity to save to build a house.
“Before I only dedicated myself to selling at street markets and my work was bought by local tourists or resellers. Now my jewelry has reached different parts of the world and that has given me much more visibility as an artisan. In addition, it has given me the opportunity to meet and live with other artisans, who have shared their experiences with me and have encouraged me to move forward.
“Novica has always been willing to help me and I feel very supported by all the facilities they give us. This constant support has helped my business a lot because without the microcredits that I received I would not have been able to buy my material and that would have meant a lot of lost sales. Also, I probably would have put my family out of a job, so thanks to Novica's financial support I've been able to get my business off the ground more than once.”
Update
"I'm very grateful because you allow me to give work to members of my family and to continue supporting their growth. This is vitally important to me. That, and having time with my daughters.
"You have helped our sales grow, and they now represent 50 percent of my income. I'm very happy about that. You have given the opportunity for my daughter to study. And you also give my husband time and resources to support our family.
"At first, I must admit it was difficult for me to adapt to the quality requirements for each design but, when you understand that it is a piece that will cross borders and reach other countries, your perception changes. It's exciting to know that someone uses a necklace, bracelet or earrings that we made with love and dedication.
"As I have grown, I have allowed myself to focus on my priorities. I wouldn't have been able to achieve this without you, as you've given a lot of support and guidance in how to make modern and beautiful jewelry.
"What I like most about my work are the colors we combine, and color is the basis of our work. Creating a traditional beadwork design with modern touches is great.
"I want you all to know that a part of my family goes in each piece of jewelry we make. That our tradition is behind each one, as well as a bit of our history."
Original Artisan Story
"I craft jewelry with tiny, colorful seed beads we call chaquira. I learned from my parents and they were taught by their grandparents, as this family art has been handed down for generations. My grandfather also worked with amate paper, derived from the bark of wild fig trees. Our Aztec ancestors wrote pictographic books on amate paper.
"After we finished our chores around the house, we'd work on our crafts. I was only seventeen when my mother taught me, and I learned little by little.
"My first design was a ring, and I continued with a belt and other accessories. When I was nineteen, we moved to a large city and I began to work with my brother until I found a way to set up a workshop and craft my own designs.
"My two daughters are my motivation in life. Aleida was born in 2009 and Sofia in 2015. I'm beginning to teach this tradition to Aleida. Once she made a ring from beads and it was lovely, even more because it was made by her own little hands. She offered it for sale and it sold quickly. I told her, 'Look! You were able to sell something you made yourself,' and that motivated her a lot.
"What I like best about my work is letting my imagination fly. Playing with the colors and shapes inspires me. Every time I work on a new design, I try to imagine how it will look, and this is how I combine shapes and colors until I can see it finished. This greatly motivates me.
"I remember a design that I found very difficult. It was a complex necklace with many colors and shapes. I used different shades of blue, red, orange, yellow and green, and figures like diamonds. It was large and dramatic. I began to think that maybe I wouldn't be able to make it after all, but I took my time. After three days of work, I finally finished this design. And I realized that you can do anything as long as you are dedicated and constant.
"Attention to detail is extremely important to me. It's essential to knot the threads neatly so that every piece of jewelry is pretty. I so enjoy working with my family. But this work has also let me give jobs to others in my community."
Only valid on the Normal shipping option for shipments to 48 Lower US states.
Discounted shipping price may not be applied to previous orders.
This item ships with a free artist storycard, so you can remember who you impacted today. Customized gift messages are also available with every order.
We want you to be 100% satified with your order, so if you are not completely happy with your item, you can return it within 60 days of receiving it.
We pack, ship, certify and 100% guarantee the quality of this item. Watch this video to see how.
This item is available for backorder and will ship within 2 to 8 weeks. Artists love to get backorders. Placing a backorder ensures that the artisan will do their best to create and deliver your item to our local office for shipment.
Although we cannot guarantee availability, we do expect to be able to fill the order within the timeframe indicated. But sometimes life happens - special materials may not be immediately available to the artist, or there might be some other circumstance beyond our control that could delay the shipment.
If for any reason we are unable to ship the item within the timeframe indicated, we will notify you.
In the unlikely even that we are unable to ship the item within the timeframe indicated, we will contact you and provide an updated delivery window.
This item has a special shipping flat fee which means that due to bulk, duties, or other special requirements, the item will be shipped to you via one of our special one-rate services. Shipping is only available to the United States (lower 48 States only).
WOMEN
S
M
L
XL
XXL
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
22
BUST
35 - 36
37 - 38
39 - 41
42 - 44
46 - 48
WAIST
27 - 28
29 - 30
31 - 33
34 - 36
38 - 40
HIPS
37 - 38
39 - 40
42 - 43
45 - 46
49 - 50
MEN
S
M
L
XL
XXL
CHEST
36 - 38
39 - 41
42 - 44
46 - 48
50 - 52
WAIST
30 - 32
32 - 34
35 - 37
38 - 41
43 - 45
NECK
14 - 14.5
15 - 15.5
16 - 16.5
17 - 17.5
18 - 18.5
SLEEVE
32.5
33.5
34.5
35.5
36.5
FINDING YOUR SIZE
Take your measurements with the tape measure over your under garments. If your measurements fall between sizes you may prefer the next larger size. Inseam, skirt and dress lengths vary by style and will be listed in the item description. Our sweaters are knit in standard American sizes, however actual measurements vary by style.
BUST / CHEST
Measure around the fullest part of chest under the arms and over the shoulder blades keeping the tape measure level.
WAIST
Measure around the smallest part of the waist keeping the tape measure comfortably loose. Most garments use the low waist measurement noted below.
LOW WAIST
Measure around the body approximately 1.5" below the natural waist (above). This is the area where most pants and skirts actually fit.
HIPS
Standing with your heels together, measure around the fullest part of the body approx 7"-8" below the waist.
NECK
Measure around the base of the neck keeping the tape measure comfortably loose.
SLEEVE
Bend elbow slightly and starting at the center back of the neck, measure across the shoulder, to the elbow and down to the wrist.
INSEAM
Our standard inseam length for women is 32" and 34" for men; however inseam measurements will vary slightly by style.
Belts with buckles are measured in inches that correspond to a waist size however, most people do not wear belts on the waist, they wear them closer to the hips. A buckle belt measurement is take from the end of the "pin" of the buckle to the middle hole on the belt. Generally there are 5 holes for size adjustment, with a 1" space between each, so the middle hole will the be average size of the belt.
For at tie belt (no buckle) measure the belt portion end to end and half of the tie portion. This again is the medium size of the belt.
For a soft fabric tie belt it can be called "1 size fits most" and the entire length of the belt should be measured and listed.
See buckle/tie belt size standards below.
WOMEN
S
M
L
XL
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
22
inches
26 - 30
28 - 32
31 - 35
34 - 38
38 - 42
cm
76 - 86
81.5 - 91.5
86.5 - 96.5
91.5 - 101.5
96.5 - 106.5
+/- tolerance: 0.5 inches or 1.25 cm
MEN
S
M
L
XL
XXL
inches
30 - 34
32 - 36
35 - 39
39 - 43
43 - 47
cm
81.5 - 91.5
86.5 - 96.5
91.5 - 101.5
96.5 - 106.5
109 - 119
+/- tolerance: 0.5 inches or 1.25 cm
Sash tie length
Lay sash/tie out flat away from the garment and measure from end to end.
Belt with buckle
Measure from the end of the pin of the buckle (where it touches the buckle) to the middle hole.
Belt without buckle
Measure from the belt portion end to end and half of the tie portion. This is will give you the medium size of the belt.
Download our printable ring sizing chart to find the perfect fit!
We refer to these items as "discounted wholesale". Such items carry a deeper wholesale discount than other items, and have greater potential to provide your business with healthier resale margins.
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UNICEF Market offers triple win pricing, where YOU the consumer, Children from around the world, and Artisans all benefit.
WIN # 1 You Save!
UNICEF Market's artisan-direct prices are made possible through our partnership with NOVICA, a leading fair trade organization that works directly with artisans in remote regions around the world in many of the same communities where UNICEF has missions. NOVICA’s ten global Artisan Empowerment Hubs in Asia, Africa, and Latin America provide interest-free microcredit loans to artisans and help them bring their handmade creations directly to you.
WIN # 2 Children Benefit!
UNICEF Market supports children by helping generate funds for UNICEF's programs dedicated to improving children's lives worldwide. These initiatives provide essential resources such as safe water, nutrition, education, health care, and emergency relief to children in need. Learn more here: UNICEF USA.
WIN # 3 Artisans Thrive!
UNICEF Market empowers artisans in emerging nations by offering a fair trade platform to sell their handcrafted goods, expanding their market reach and increasing their income. This support helps transform the lives of tens of thousands of artisans and their family members across the globe.
