Thursday's Textiles

Today I'm featuring a few textile items that are for sale in the Good Gifts Market! Each item is made from traditional Liberian lappa fabric and created by local artisans in Liberia (except for the yellow purse, for which I'm the artisan). Maybe you need a gift for someone, or perhaps you just want to treat yourself. All of the proceeds go towards the community center!

To place an order, leave a comment or send me an email.

*Prices do not including shipping*

(but I use the most affordable shipping possible)

African Aprons: $20

Features pockets, a strap to go around your neck and a tie at the waist.

[Apron #1: two available]

[Apron #2: two available]

[Apron #3: two available]

[Apron #4: one available]

Shoulder Bags: $20

Zipper closer and inside pocket.

 [Shoulder Bag #1: one available]       [Shoulder Bag #2: one available]

Purse: $30

Magnetic closer and inside pocket.

[Purse #1: one available]

There are so many other great items available in the Good Gifts Market. All of the proceeds go towards the community center! Let's raise some money to pay the rent for year two and three!

Coconut Jewelry Artist: John Gartau

John proudly displaying is work at the U.S. Embassy Craft Fair

The first Liberian artisan that I want to introduce you to is John Gartau. He is a kind-hearted, young spirited Papie that has been making jewelry from coconut shells for decades! He really is a master craftsman. John began experimenting with coconuts in 1967 and he has grown his business into a family business. His grandchildren enjoy helping him and he wants to pass on his skills to the younger generation. John can frequently be found roaming around near guesthouses and tourist beaches with his small black bag full of beautiful coconut creations.
 He enjoys sharing the creative process with shoppers, and ALWAYS has a huge smile on his face! 

Africa Earrings and Pendants

Earrings

I have done alot of handi-craft shopping in Liberia, and I have never come across anyone else doing what John does. He uses mature coconut shells to make darker pieces, while younger coconuts provide the lighter pieces. John loves what he does, and he also desires to pass on his trade to the next generation so that it's not lost.. He is 70 years old [I know, doesn't look a day over 50!] and shared with me, as we sat on my front porch, that it's getting more difficult to crank out product with poor eyesight and more stubborn hands. I am hoping that he will do some training at the community center in the near future!

Cross Pendants

Earrings

John will happily ship his beautiful jewelry anywhere in the world, and he also makes custom pieces. If you can't find what you're looking for in the Good Gifts Market, you can contact him at  johngartau206@yahoo.com or +231-649-2853. 

Coconut Buttons!

Good Gifts Market

Wide selection of coconut jewelry.

 With great excitement, I'd like to announce the re-launch of the Good Gifts Market! If you're looking for a special gift for a loved one or you just want a piece of Liberia for yourself, look no further! The best part is that 100% of the proceeds go towards the community center in Liberia! It's a win-win...a beautifully hand-crafted gift from Liberia that changes lives!

The market is packed with things that I brought back with me on this last trip! Each item is carefully hand-selected from some of Liberia's most talented artisans. Whether you're looking for jewelry, wood carvings, textile items, dolls or home decor--the Good Gifts Market has it all!

New Amazing Grace inventory! Jewelry made from recycled glass bottles!

Please take a look at the official Good Gifts Market site, which will lead you to photos of the available products. We're still operating low-key, but I really hope that the market will grow to where we need a real shopping site! I will also feature artisans and their craft in future posts.

Aprons, bags and purses from traditional Lappa fabric!

Now go shopping for good gifts straight from Liberia...and change lives at the same time!

Good Gifts Market

Introducing the 2012 Good Gifts Market!

[I know this is late, but, better late than never, right?]

If you're still looking for the perfect gift for that special someone, maybe I can help. I have an assortment of items from Liberia that I think your family and friends will enjoy! The best part is that 100% of the proceeds go back to Liberia! If you are interested in any items, please leave a comment or send me an email, and I will get your item(s) in the mail ASAP so that they make it in time for Christmas! PayPal is the best method of payment (it's the fastest!), but I will also accept cash and checks! Please add $5 for shipping!

Paintings -- SOLD!

Painted by a local Liberian artist, these paintings both depict daily life in Liberia--selling bananas and the walk for water. The paintings measure 15" high x 10.5" wide. I can't guarantee that they are perfectly square, but they look to be pretty close!

Alfreda's Dolls -- SOLD!

These dolls are handcrafted by Alfreda, a local artisan. Alfreda learned the art of doll making from her mother, and creates beautiful dolls from natural elements like wood, grasses, leaves and nuts. The dolls are approximately 11" tall and sit on a base that is 3"x3". You can click on the smaller photos for up-close pictures of each individual doll. 

Amazing Grace Jewelry 

Bracelets -- $15 each

All of the beads are made from recycled glass bottles in Liberia. Each bead is carefully handcrafted, and some are hand-painted. They are strung on an elastic cord, so they will fit any wrist size! Please click on the two photos below to see the individual bracelets up close!

 Necklaces & Earrings

Left -- $20 (does fit small)

Middle -- $45 (set)

Right -- $50 (set)

(If you would just like to purchase a pair of earrings -- $10)

Textiles

Wine Bottle Carrier -- $15

Made from a recycled bean sack.

Purses -- $30 each

Made from traditional Liberian lappa

[The Mary Purse]

[The Georgiano Purse]

Miscellaneous

Bracelets -- $7 each

Made from wooden beads and strung on elastic cording. Fits most wrists!

[Cross bracelet is SOLD!]

Wood Carved Box -- SOLD

Carved by a local Liberian wood carver. The box measures 7.5" across x 4" deep x 3" tall.

Liberia Bracelets -- $8 each

Great gift for any lover of Liberia! Should fit most wrist sizes. Available in the colors below, except the pink/blue combo is SOLD OUT.

 If you would like to purchase any of these items, please leave a comment or send me an email: ashleystoll [at] gmail [dot] com. I want to get these in the mail ASAP, so again, PayPal is the preferred method of payment, but I will totally work with you!

For Sale--Last Chance!

I have a few items leftover from the Good Gifts Market, so I wanted to give you all one last chance to make a purchase before I head back to Liberia. Prices *do not* include shipping.

The most important items to me are the things that Jogma made--I want to sell ALL of it, so that I can take the money back to Jogma in 2 weeks. Jogma is scheduled to start school on January 30th, and she needs the money to purchase text books and to take care of her son Joshua. Please consider purchasing one of Jogma's very special, handmade items--you get a beautiful item, and your purchase will impact Jogma's life.

  Clutch: $10--SOLD 

 Headband: $5 --(L-R:#6-11 available)          

Jogma and I sewing on the front porch.

The last two handmade dolls from Alfreda:

Canoe: $25

Rice beater: $20--SOLD

 LIB Bracelets: $5

Hand woven in Liberia. Fits any wrist size.

Good Gifts Market Items:

You can visit the Good Gifts Market Photo Gallery to see everything else that is still for sale--Amazing Grace Jewelry, purses, and paintings!

Amazing Grace Jewelry

Original Artwork from Liberia--SOLD

To make a purchase, please leave a comment or send me an email (ashley at orphanreliefandrescue dot org). You can pay with cash, a check or through PayPal.

Christmas Gifts with a Purpose--Good Gifts Market

It's that time again! What time, you ask? It's time (well, really it's past time) to roll out this year's Good Gifts Market! I've got some things from Liberia, as well as some handmade ornaments, that I think would make great additions to your Christmas shopping, plus, all of the money goes to help orphans in Liberia! What could be better than that?!

Handmade Christmas Ornaments

I've been doing hours and hours of experimenting with making different Christmas ornaments. Right now, I think I have about 15 different versions, but here are the GOOD ones! Ornaments can either be ordered in regular ($20) or large ($25)

{Name, Dream, Destiny Ornament: glass ornament with a child's photo inside. Can also include Liberian fabric.}

{Glass Etched Ornaments: Choose to put a heart on Liberia, or anywhere in Africa, or no heart at all.}

{Hand painted glass ornament with "shiny-shine" Africa.}

Amazing Grace Jewelry

I'm pretty sure everybody knows how much I love Amazing Grace Jewelry! Amazing Grace beads are made from discarded and recycled glass bottles. The bottles are crushed into tiny pieces, placed in handmade clay molds and heated in a wood-fired earthen oven. Jewelry makers shape the hot glass beads, smooth them and string them by hand.

{The people of Amazing Grace are extremely kind--they have even let some of my girls spend time learning how to make the beautiful jewelry!}

Recycling, provide women in Liberia with income and skills training, getting/giving a great piece of jewelry with a purpose, and all proceeds go to help orphans. Um, WIN-WIN-WIN-WIN! To see all of the pieces that are available, click here.

{Prices range from $10-$50.}

Jogma's Handcrafts

If you've been around here long enough, you've heard plenty of stories about Jogma. You've also seen some of her beautiful sewing projects. She made some things for me to bring home, and I've still got a few items left, so I thought I'd offer them to you! Jogma requires another post, but for now, here are some of her things!

{Jogma and I sitting on the porch sewing. Choose a headband ($10)-9 different lappas-and I only have 3 clutches ($15) left!}

Each item was lovingly crafted by Jogma, who lives at Frances Gaskin Rescue Home in Liberia. Jogma LOVES to sew! Jogma and I spend Friday mornings on the porch together--sewing, talking about life and laughing. Jogma is also quite the business woman! She started a tailoring business, and used the profits to open a dry goods shop. Jogma also helps me teach sewing classes to other kids. All proceeds from Jogma's handicrafts will be given back to her--so she can pay school fees (she's in 11th grade and dreams of going to college). Jogma also needs money to provide for her son Joshua, who is almost 4 months old.

Alfreda's Dolls

Alfreda is a wonderful doll-maker, but I also consider her one of my Liberian friends. I frequently stop by her shop to say hello, to see what new things she's working on, to ask her where I can find specific sewing supplies, or to take visitors souvenir shopping. She learned her doll-making skills from her mother as a child, and it's always exciting to see when a new handicraft is made available in Liberia. Alfreda creates each doll by hand, using natural elements and beautiful Liberian lappa fabric. Alfreda's dolls make a unique and beautiful Christmas gift!

{Canoe Dolls: Dolls set into banana leaf canoes ($25), measuring approximately 15" long and 7"tall.}

{Single Dolls ($20) : Lappa seller , Rice beater, Rice harvester , Displaced mother. All have babies on their backs. Dolls measure 11"-13" in height.

Christmas Bundles

Maybe you're not interested in purchasing anything from the Good Gifts Market, but you want to make a direct impact on orphans in Liberia. For only $25, you can bring joy this Christmas to one of the beautiful children that I work with in Liberia! Please visit Orphan Relief and Rescue's website to buy a bundle (or a few!), and don't forget to write a note to go along with your bundle!

Please look around and leave a comment or send me an email if you would like to make a purchase. You can pay easily through PayPal, and all prices include shipping! Give gifts that matter this year and help orphans in Liberia! Merry Christmas!