great gifts for her

Small beads of sterling silver hang alongside 12 carats of clear quartz, each bead embraced by floral petals. This Peruvian pendant necklace is crafted by Marianela Vargas, who takes great pride in the realization of her own designs. She hangs the pendant from long black cotton cords that tie at the desired length for a beautiful, contemporary look.

Designer Luisa Villavicencio and her family maintain the last remaining cotton farm in Guatemala, where they produce the materials used in their natural fashions. This laid-back poncho is created using undyed cotton and reclaimed denim fibers in a striking asymmetrical design with fringe details.
Luisa's family cultivates cotton in several natural colors, and the family is involved in the entire process, from growing the cotton to transforming it into apparel. Says Luisa, "There are 80 artisans working with us. Some are civil war widows. Others always felt that they couldn't do anything, and we've been able to change that negative self image... A lot of families depend on us. I feel I have a great duty to them, to my parents and to my country, whose textile tradition should not be lost."

Designed in dusty palette of blue, teal and apricot, Indian artisan Jay Kumar Maheswari's sleeveless cotton dress exudes the delightful look of a blooming spring season. The flared, three-tiered silhouette offers a relaxed and comfortable fit in a maxi length, and comes with side seam pockets. A great summer dress for beautiful sunny days.

Leafy vines sway in the gentle breeze on this beautiful, lightweight blouse from India. Intricate white chikankari embroidery adorns the upper areas of the blouse, adding a delightfully feminine appeal to the top. Neat pintuck pleats decorate the front, beneath a round neck and alongside a deep v-cut. Shalabh designs the long-sleeve white blouse with semi-sheer cotton, making it a great choice to pair with a camisole.

Artisans from UMBVS Desert Weavers of India craft this cotton sling bag using traditional weaving methods. The eye-catching patterns in black and white and the bag's modest size make it a great everyday carryall. An external zipper compartment is perfect for your keys or cell phone, while the larger main compartment holds the rest of your necessities.