basic rings

Designed with an elabourate array of curling tendrils, Budiharta's hoop earrings are anything but basic. The Balinese artisan uses sterling silver to create the earrings, carefully twisting the slender wires into a stunning openwork motif that shines in a combination finish.

Inspired by foliage, Budiharta's hoop earrings are an elegant twist on a basic accessory. The Balinese artisan uses sterling silver to create the hoops, hand crafting a series of openwork design by gently twisting the slender wires. A polished motif shines beautifully next to the curling tendrils.

When designing her jewellery, Peru's Susan Alfaro says she likes "...applying creativity to basic pieces and looking at the same object from different perspectives." For this modern cocktail ring, she elevates a simple triangle shape by adding a pyramid-shaped chrysocolla stone in a bezel setting and accenting it with three metallic spheres. She works with sterling silver which is polished to a brilliant shine.

When designing her jewellery, Peru's Susan Alfaro says she likes "...applying creativity to basic pieces and looking at the same object from different perspectives." For this modern cocktail ring she elevates a simple triangle shape by adding a pyramid-shaped lapis lazuli in a bezel setting and accenting it with three metallic spheres. She works with sterling silver which is polished to a brilliant shine.

Rich textures suggest grains of corn as golden ears emerge from emerald leaves. The staff of life throughout the Americas, maize was the basic foodstuff of the Inca and their descendents. Exalting their heritage, Manolo and Lucho create the images in finely tooled leather to surround a wall mirror.

Rich textures suggest grains of corn as a golden ear emerges from emerald leaves. The staff of life throughout the Americas, maize was the basic foodstuff of the Inca and their descendents. Exalting their heritage, Manolo and Lucho create the images in finely tooled leather to surround a wall mirror.

This little black bag is a must for when you need to keep a few things handy, but don't need a full-sized purse or travel bag. Crafted of supple black leather appropriate for men or women, it features zippered exterior compartments in the front and back and a second open pocket in the front beneath the flap. The main compartment has two inner pockets, one with a zipper. This versatile sling bag is the work of Mexican artisan Amilkar Granados.

This unique bracelet is a long band of braided beads which wrap around your wrist various times, then fastened using a Tibetan-style pewter button. It is made by artisan Domingo Reanda, who was taught the basics of weaving by his farming family, but he found he had a real talent for this and other handcrafts.

This unique bracelet is a long band of braided beads which wrap around your wrist various times, then fastened using a pewter button. It is made by artisan Domingo Reanda, who was taught the basics of weaving by his farming family, but he found he had a real talent for this and other handcrafts. The name is a homage to his hometown Santiago Atitlan, Guatemala.

For this design, I chose a symbol of peace in practically all cultures and countries — a dove with an olive branch." says Alejandra Paiz of this delicate and unique beaded suncatcher. "It represents hope and the desire for a new and peaceful beginning on Earth. It's associated with purity and spirituality.

"I say a prayer for peace," the Guatemalan artisan continues. "And I ask that we pray it together. 'No more wars. We want peace. May this peace dove reach all the homes of the world.'

"The principles of peace are love, justice and truth. Nothing is more valuable than peace, and it's the basic starting point for humanity to progress.

"I share sensations of peace with the beautiful crystals that reflect the sun's light to illuminate the heart and soul. We seek that which gives meaning to our lives. Peace. Let's be a source of light instead of darkness."

Alejandra crafts the suncatcher by hand with crystal, glass and pewter beads, stainless steel ring and wire, a nickel chain and a zinc dove pendant.

"A dove with an olive branch is a symbol of peace recognized virtually in all cultures and countries. It represents hope and our aspirations of achieving a new, peaceful beginning. It is also associated with purity and spirituality," says Alejandra Paiz of this breathtaking suncatcher.

"I say a prayer for peace," the Guatemalan artisan continues. "And I ask that we pray it together. 'No more wars. We want peace. May this peace dove reach all the homes of the world.'

"The principles of peace are love, justice and truth. Nothing is more valuable than peace, and it's the basic starting point for humanity to progress.

"I share sensations of peace with the beautiful crystals that reflect the sun's light to illuminate the heart and soul. We seek that which gives meaning to our lives. Peace. Let's be a source of light instead of darkness."

Alejandra crafts the suncatcher by hand with crystal, glass and pewter beads, stainless steel ring and wire, a nickel chain and a zinc dove pendant.

"I convey peace with beautiful crystals that reflect the sunlight and illuminate our hearts and souls. Let's look for peace, which is what gives meaning to our lives. Let's be light, not darkness," says Alejandra Paiz, who crafts this one-of-a-kind beaded suncatcher depicting the universal symbol of peace — a dove holding an olive branch.

"This suncatcher represents hope and the desire for a new and peaceful beginning on Earth, made of components associated with purity and spirituality.

"I say a prayer for peace," the Guatemalan artisan continues. "And I ask that we pray it together. 'No more wars. We want peace. May this peace dove reach all the homes of the world.'

"The principles of peace are love, justice and truth. Nothing is more valuable than peace, and it's the basic starting point for humanity to progress. Here I share sensations of peace with the beautiful crystals that reflect the sun's light to illuminate the heart and soul."

The artisan handcrafts this stunning suncatcher from crystal, glass and pewter beads, stainless steel ring and wire, nickel chains and a zinc dove pendant.