Costa Rican artisan Marian Zerpa Torrelles offers this fantastic accessory for expressing your individuality under the sign of Pisces. Natural labradorite forms the leaves of a magnificent gemstone tree, which is handcrafted of copper. The circular pendant centers a braided length of faux leather.
“My greatest inspiration is nature, including images that surrounded me in my youth, like bird nests, leafy trees, pure air, and flora and fauna."
“My name is Marian Zerpa. A daughter of Christian missionaries, I was born in the south of Venezuela. During my youth,... we lived on the Venezuela-Brazil border with indigenous communities, where we were always surrounded by handicrafts that drew my attention. Everything there was made artisanally, which awoke my creative side. I always helped my father with chores around our home, most notably in carpentry.
“I have lived in Costa Rica for 11 years. Moving here was like being born again; in my native country I had everything I needed. However, opportunities for growth were not very good there, but Costa Rica is entirely different. It is a beautiful country with rich traditions. With time, I began to love its people, its warmth, and the colors of its flag, and I made the decision to obtain Costa Rican citizenship. This fills me with great pride, since this country has opened its doors to new opportunities and a new entrepreneurship, but above all, to the correct path toward fulfilling my dreams and goals.
“Throughout my childhood, I was surrounded by an artisanal atmosphere. The thought of creating something marvelous from scratch always drew my attention. Curiosity knocked on my door, and I began to buy materials little by little. My imagination soared and I could express myself with metal wire and other materials. I tried making different figures, combining colors, folds, and forms, and with time I was able to develop my own concepts. I went on forming a little at a time everything that I only dreamed of doing as a child.
“My greatest inspiration is nature, including images that surrounded me in my youth, like bird nests, leafy trees, pure air, and flora and fauna. I also want my pieces to feature pre-Columbian designs, always featuring my personal essence and trademark. I try to keep in mind that, we buy each piece in order to have something significant, something more profound behind its design, and something that fills us and becomes part of our lives. I love the things I make. The stones that I work with have a lot of energy. Each piece is made in a unique way. There is no manual for making them; each piece is made with a lot of dedication and love.
“I love being able to use my craft to transmit my thoughts. I give classes to people who like my work and who are inspired to make them, which fills me with satisfaction, because teaching is one of the best gifts that one can have. I have two nieces who help me in the workshop a lot. They are my main source of pride. They are like my daughters, with whom I share great moments, and I would like to teach them more.
“Having been born in the Amazon rainforest, I learned the cultural forms of the indigenous in the south of Venezuela, including respect towards nature and the symbolism assigned to the native trees. Through a lot of investigation, I have learned that different cultures assign different meanings to the image of a tree. For the Celts, the tree of life represents prosperity and wisdom. In Nordic mythology, its roots and branches hold together the different worlds, and from its roots emanate the fountain that fills the well of wisdom. The tree is one of the most popular symbols precisely because it represents the essence of our own existence and transmits a great force and positivity.
“I dream of continuing to make my pieces and that each one has a special significance, a social and environmental sentiment that is worth the effort. Each piece is made with a lot of dedication.”
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.
