artists around the world

Members of the Jalapa Girl Jewelsmiths Association find a new take on a symbol originating in 1958. Crafted of silver, the pendant depicts the peace symbol so popular in the 1960s and '70s, and they add a heart, an olive branch and a creamy cultured pearl.

"We're inspired by what we're living today, and this made me think that we need to be united to create a better world and united to achieve peace," the Guatemalan artisan says. "This pendant represents the strength of union needed for us to achieve, together, the victory of peace. This image was designed for one of the first marches for Nuclear Disarmament in London, and later became widely used as a symbol for peace."

She displays the pendant on a brown leather cord.

For Guatemalan artist Carolina Cabrera, to adore your inner nature is to claim a triumph. Transporting you to a fantasy world where spring has conquered Earth, Carolina creates this expressionist composition, merging luminous oil hues and gold foil for a breathtaking illusion. Myriad sunflowers surround a little child's smile, sending a message of happiness and self-love. Petite golden accents complete the painting, imitating the sun's divine shine.

The artwork arrives signed and stretched.

Guatemala's spring wears beige, blue and red hues for Carmina Giron's newest creation. This macrame bracelet, handwoven with love and hope, displays crystal beads that form tender flowers around the design. Exuding peaceful sensations, the piece also has an adjustable sliding knot.

Who said men can’t celebrate their special bond with their best pals? They can do just that with this set of three handmade friendship bracelets crafted by Maria Canil in Guatemala using intricately braided acrylic yarns in attractive colors. The bracelets feature adjustable tie closures that can be tailored to your preference, providing a comfortable and secure fit.

"Life is not seeking victory and fighting to kill each other, but playing beautiful and peaceful melodies to create a flowery world," says Harman while finishing a stunning expressionist composition that calls for peace and love. The Balinese artisan uses sharp brushstrokes and acrylic to depict a woman looking at the doves that fly around a floral peace symbol. Aimed to create an inspirational ambiance, this painting comes unstretched and signed.

A faceless woman meditates as she sits on an open book. Working with the linoleum block print technique, Marina Pallares explores her global vision for world peace. The artist explains that the butterfly alighting on the corner of the book symbolizes the transformation of a being who dragged herself along the ground, but transforms into a winged creature that will take flight. Gentle doves are released from her bowed head.

"This print arose from my vision of world peace," the Mexican artist comments. "It's very similar to my ideas about ecology. Everything begins with the individual person with a global vision. That is, when we find our own inner peace, it's inevitable that we'll project it to everyone around us.

"Meditation is one of the simplest ways to gain access to our inner being. It gives us a sense of union with everything and helps us remain in the present. Meditation and education make us more conscious.

"Peace begins in oneself, on the basis of self-knowledge, self-love and education, making ourselves one hundred percent responsible for our own lives."

Titled "La paz comienza por casa" in Spanish.

"My definition of world peace is the desire of every human being who decides and chooses to be at peace in their own way. If humans realize we can all choose to make peace by asking God to give us a heart that is peaceful and calm, then there will be no war. My hope for world peace is that all beings can individually create something good and respect each other, and then peace will be established," says Ida Ratna Ningrum.

The artist advocates for harmony and goodwill with her daydream-like painting "Pray for Peace." With idyllic realism, Ida creates a desert landscape symbolic of societal conflicts and scarcity, dominated by a prayerful young woman in a pink dress.

The artist explains that the cat and white rabbit symbolize rebirth and new beginnings, respectively, as they accompany the girl in her quest for peace. Circling above, white doves soar freely, symbolizing the release of a new period of peace under a pure blue sky. Thriving around the young woman, cacti, prickly pears and aloe represent the protection provided by mother nature, even in times of friction. An encouraging reminder of human resilience, the painting calls for a new peaceful era on planet Earth.

"Peace is the desire of every human being around the world," says the artist. "Prayer is a method of expression from a person to God and the universe. A sad girl sees a beautiful world without any feelings of peace, as if there is always war. She prays to God that the world will always be at peace without any war. If the world is free from war, the world will be peaceful, serene, and prosperous."

A turtle's life is full of lessons of wisdom, inspiring many around the world, such as designer Ajay Patil from India. The artisan works with classic silversmithing methods to create the shiny turtle-shaped pendant that decorates this sterling silver necklace, made to infuse your spirit with serene energy.

Quetzalcoatl, the "feathered serpent" was a revered deity in Mesoamerican myth and legend. Mariana Llanes depicts him as a sterling silver dragon that take its own tail in his mouth. "When one becomes many, they awaken the dragon, and duality emerges — light and darkness, what is mine, yours and belonging to others," ths artist says. "Our differences, survival and the struggles for power.

"By biting its tail, the dragon places all its energy toward understanding who we are and why we're here. It speaks of overcoming one's own ego, of humility.

"For me, the open hands are a beautiful representation of human collaboration. They symbolize friendship, honesty, respect, solidarity and willingness.

"Black crosses flank the hands along with garnet droplets that represent the death and suffering caused by wars. This is in honor of everyone who has died because of war. And it's a prayer that their lives and their blood be seeds that germinate in green fields of conscience, learning, and respect for life and for our differences.

"The spirals speak of life's cyclical nature and of resilience. Of our capacity to learn and change our reality, converting painful experiences into strength and wisdom.

"The feather pendants are symbols of the birds that collect our prayers around the world — for peace, for justice, for equality and the rights of everyone. They carry our voices in their song and they carry our prayers for peace."

The pendant is worn on a beaded gemstone strand of amethyst, iolite, citrine, peridot, carnelian and garnet.

The enchanting Thai gardens have dazzled many throughout the years, making them a symbol of nature and elegance around the world. Also fascinated by them, artisan Nikom creates this cotton parasol painted by hand, depicting a glorious lily garden in a palette of green and pink hues. Perfect for adding a magical vibe to your walks, the accessory also has a bamboo frame that makes it sturdy.

Balinese artist Harman adds mystic symbols to a vibrant expressionist and cubist composition made with acrylic colors. As the central element, a Balinese woman poses in a mystic depiction of femininity while little doves and flowers wander around the colorful background. "When a woman is silent, there are thousands of things on her mind, namely about mental peace and world peace," reflects the artist.

The artwork comes signed and unstretched.

By Ruben and Gilda Perez, this unity bracelet centers red cords with a piece of natural Guatemalan jade. "We made this bracelet with two strands," they say. "One of them represents you, our shoppers, and the other represents the Novica team. The cool green gemstone in the center is a symbol of artisans all around the world. All of us work together as a team."