AMERICAN NOMAD | Summer 2016

Page 1

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every item has a story. every artist has a voice.


every item has a story. every artist has a voice.

We get excited for every new season here at AMERICAN NOMAD, but Summer always holds a special place with us. There’s something about this time of year that makes us want to spend long afternoons reading a good book, exploring a new craft and baking up our favorite recipes to share with family and friends. We’ve discovered some amazing new items handmade in Poland, Italy, Japan and Mali we’re excited to introduce to you this season. Each item in our Summer Collection embraces our mission of authentic style by supporting artists that are striving to rise above poverty, fight discrimination or gain an education while utilizing craftsmanship that is deeply rooted within their cultures. Every item has a story and every artist has a voice. We hope you can find a calm moment throughout your day to connect with the stories each of our items tells about their culture’s history and the artist’s experiences. They inspire us each day to strive to live an authentic life that is filled with compassion and humility toward others and our planet.

XO, Michelle

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founder, AMERICAN NOMAD


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Zuluwood Adventure Necklace Handmade in Kenya/$50

every item has a story. every artist has a voice.


every item has a story. every artist has a voice.

THE BUCKET BAG

$150

handmade in Uganda The Safari Leather Bucket Bag is handcrafted in Ethiopia from oil-tanned leather that shows the natural variances and will become more beautiful and distinct over time. The spacious, unlined interior includes one patch pocket and a zippered pocket to keep your treasures organized and secure. Not only will you look good wearing this handbag, but you’ll also feel good knowing that you are contributing to empowering women in East Africa.

About Sseko Design

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Sseko began as a way to generate income for high potential, talented young women to continue on to university. And it is working! Every woman who has graduated from Sseko is currently pursuing her college degree or has graduated from university and is on her way to making our world a more beautiful place. Sseko also employs women from all walks of life. By creating an environment of dignity, honor and dedication, Sseko Designs provides the opportunity for women in East Africa to end the cycle of poverty and create a more equitable society.


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fits perfectly inside the Bucket Bag. . .

stacked triangles pouch | $32

stained glass pouch | $32

handmade in India

handmade in India

bucket bag | $150 handmade in Uganda

every item has a story. every artist has a voice.


explore more at www.shopamericannomad.com

every item has a story. every artist has a voice.


$63 handmade in the Philippines

/ BUSLO BAG $135

The weave that creates the unique Stella Clutch and Buslo Bag is both traditional and modern. It’s a technique that has been used for centuries in the Philippines but has also evolved throughout the years. The magic of this weave starts in the homes of the Rags2Riches (R2R) communitybased artisans where they take strips of fabric, knot them together, and weave them using a simple wooden frame with perfectly calibrated nails.

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STELLA CLUTCH

About RAGS2RICHES Design is woven into the very fabric of R2R as a company. They integrate collaborative, conscious, human-centered design into every step of their work: from community development to product design. Every R2R team member is a designer in their own right. R2R designed a unique system to professionalize home-based community artisans, and empower them with their Artisan Academy and Quality of Life Program. They strive for success that does not leave anyone behind. In a world where fast and cheap labor is sought, R2R places the highest value on every person’s humanity and dignity. They go beyond charity and beyond aid to create meaningful, high value, and sustainable trade.

every item has a story. every artist has a voice.


explore more at www.shopamericannomad.com

every item has a story. every artist has a voice.


explore more at www.shopamericannomad.com

every item has a story. every artist has a voice.

Rags2Riches artists weaving


every item has a story. every artist has a voice.

PERSIAN TILES WEEKENDER

$110

handmade in India The Weekender Bag from JOYN is big enough to take on a trip and just right for your everyday. It will be your “go to” bag for...well everything. Smart pockets on the inside to keep the small stuff from getting lost. Handmade from cotton that is spun and woven by hand and then created by using traditional wood blocks that are skillfully carved with it’s own unique design. This artisan process is helping to revive an ancient traditional art form that is native to India.

About JOYN

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At the heart of JOYN lies a desire to see lives in the Rajpur, India region changed. Many persons living in Rajpur grew up begging on the streets and have no education, identities, or even birthdays. To empower the people of Rajpur, JOYN has partnered with a nonprofit called JoyCorps to provide them with steady jobs, a good work environment, daily meal plans, education for their children, English and vocational training, and medical care. They scale their manufacturing by identifying and cultivating local entrepreneurs, supporting them in starting or growing their own businesses of spinning, weaving, block printing or stitching, so they can help their own communities rise out of poverty.


suede satchel | camel | $72

handmade in India

handmade in India

blooming birds crossbody | $48

stacked triangles crossbody | $48

handmade in India

handmade in India

stacked triangles tote | $44

handmade in India

handmade in India

every item has a story. every artist has a voice.

blooming birds tote | $44

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suede stachedl | gray | $72


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every item has a story. every artist has a voice.


explore more at www.shopamericannomad.com

every item has a story. every artist has a voice.

arists at JOYN block printing


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every item has a story. every artist has a voice.


$48

handmade in Japan

Furoshiki are a type of traditional Japanese wrapping cloth traditionally used to transport clothes, gifts, or other goods. While this art of furoshiki remains popular in Japan, its use has declined because of the modern high demand for plastic bags. In recent years the Japanese Ministry of the Environment organized several campaigns to promote the use of furoshiki again and ensure environmental protection in Japan and worldwide. Modern day Furoshiki are often used instead of bags to wrap and transport lunch boxes, double as a tablecloth, wall decoration, an accessory, a bottle holder, drapes ... the list is endless!

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FOLDED PAPER FUROSHIKI | TEAL

About The Link Collective Link produces contemporary furoshiki textiles that aim to cross cultures and generations by creating beautiful and functional products, merging international design with traditional Japanese production methods. Link believes Japanese craftsmanship is second to none in terms of quality and attention to detail. It’s because of this that all their furoshiki are handprinted and sewn in Japan by a family-owned business with over 50 years experience in furoshiki production. Although Japan’s craftsmen often spend a lifetime perfecting their artistry, much of that skill and knowledge is being lost as today’s mass production, cost cutting and on-demand culture drives ever more business decisions. Link hopes to play a part in keeping these crafts alive by showing what can be achieved when creativity and craftsmanship come together.

every item has a story. every artist has a voice.


explore more at www.shopamericannomad.com

every item has a story. every artist has a voice.


explore more at www.shopamericannomad.com

every item has a story. every artist has a voice.

LINK craftsmen printing LINK artists print Furoshiki


every item has a story. every artist has a voice.

SOLONA MAMA + WATUMU SANDS ZULUGRASS

$68

handmade in Kenya These beautiful, unique and earth friendly necklaces are handcrafted by beading experts - the Maasai women of Kenya. Utilizing a readily available and sustainable grass, the women harvest each blade that are then dried, cut and dyed by hand and then strung into necklaces. What we really love about these strands is their versatility! Each necklace comes with a necklace loop and bracelet clasps that transform these beautiful strands into a variety of accessories.

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About The Leakey Collection The Leakey Collection is a Fair Trade design company built on innovative uses of natural materials to create a line of beautiful lifestyle products for the contemporary global marketplace with the purpose of creating employment opportunities for rural Kenyans. Philip and Katy Leakey, who live among the Maasai in the Kenyan bush, wanted to help their neighbors and provide them with work opportunities without changing their culture after a devastating drought killed their livestock and livelihood. Over 1,400 hundred Masai women are now making Zulugrass through entrepreneurial and lifelong opportunities, while continuing to lead their lives in their traditional Masai lifestyle.


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every item has a story. every artist has a voice.


explore more at www.shopamericannomad.com

every item has a story. every artist has a voice.


explore more at www.shopamericannomad.com every item has a story. every artist has a voice.

Masaiartists artistsgathering gather grass make Masai grasstofor the Zulugrass Zulugrass strands strands


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every item has a story. every artist has a voice.


$38 handmade in the United States

+ GOLD BLOCK NECKLACE

$58

There is always something to be thankful for. What are you grateful for today? Handmade using the ancient folk art of metal stamping by artists working at Link of Hearts. Their mission is to focus on those battling depression and other mental illnesses by connecting them with support groups at behavioral centers, psychiatric and rehab clinics, and pediatric hospitals.

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BAR OF GOODNESS

About Link of Hearts Link of Hearts is joining the movement to be socially conscious and help others through their story and effort. One piece. One message. One voice. One link. Connecting & Inspiring. Every piece of jewelry provides a message of hope and gives voice to those struggling alone in silence. With every purchase, Link of Hearts will give one piece of jewelry to someone in need, that has an inspirational word ‌HOPE, TRUST, LOVE, BELIEVE, among others. Together, we can give the gift of hope and help fight the stigma of mental illness.

every item has a story. every artist has a voice.


explore more at www.shopamericannomad.com

every item has a story. every artist has a voice.

CHUNKY KNIT THROW | $62 handmade in Bangladesh


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every item has a story. every artist has a voice.


every item has a story. every artist has a voice.

KANTHA THROWS + PILLOWS

$58 - $175

handmade in Bangladesh

Kantha meaning ‘patched cloth’ is an indigenous craft traditionally made by rural women in West Bengal and remains the most creative of all embroidery crafts in Bangladesh and parts of India. For centuries, poor Bengali women have taken their discarded cloth and sewn them together with a simple running stitch to create something new. Old cloth in Bangladesh is said to keep the user safe from harm and our kanthas from Basha Boutique remain true to the artform utilizing vintage saris curated from local markets. Each throw and pillow offersa glimpse into the creativity and artistry of the women at Basha.

About Basha Boutique

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BASHA provides dignified work for women in Dhaka, Bangladesh who were rescued from human trafficking. Meaning “house of hope,” BASHA dreams of a day when women are not at risk of exploitation and no longer live in fear. BASHA procures re-purposed saris that have been time-softened to create each kantha throw. They match contrasting saris which are then hand-stitched into one-of-a-kind pieces. The kantha is BASHA’s symbol representing beauty emerging from the discarded and broken - lives being made whole stitch by stitch.


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every item has a story. every artist has a voice.


explore more at www.shopamericannomad.com

every item has a story. every artist has a voice.


explore more at www.shopamericannomad.com

every item has a story. every artist has a voice.

BASHA artist stitching a kantha BASHA artists stitch kanthas


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every item has a story. every artist has a voice.


$89

handmade in Poland These exquisitely soft pillows are hand dyed and plaited (braided) by sisters Dorota and Sylwia of Taftyli in Krakow, Poland. During a three day process, each piece of fabric is cut, sewn and braided before being dyed it’s own unique color. The braids are then hand sewn together to create these unique, one-of-a-kind pillows. Plaiting makes a highly complex and decorative weave that has been found on early garments worn by the nobility and senior clerics.

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PLAITED PILLOWS

About Taftyli To relieve and discharge the stress of everyday life, sisters Dorota and Sylwia made the decision to take over their family traditions of tailoring and textile making. They compose materials, textures, colors, styles and moods with each unique piece. Their collection is created primarily from natural and noble materials, so when you purchase their products you have a guarantee that none of the details have been selected by accident.

every item has a story. every artist has a voice.


every item has a story. every artist has a voice.

HAND-DYED LINEN PILLOWS

$58

handmade in Poland From the same artists that create the plaited pillows, these exquisitely soft pillows are hand dyed by sisters Dorota and Sylwia of Taftyli. These artists decided to take over their family’s tailoring tradition to relieve the stress of everyday life. Handmade of 100% pure Lithuanian linen and dyed by using natrual dyes, this is the perfect pillow to bring natural elegance to any room.

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About Taftyli To relieve and discharge the stress of everyday life, sisters Dorota and Sylwia made the decision to take over their family traditions of tailoring and textile making. They compose materials, textures, colors, styles and moods with each unique piece. Their collection is created primarily from natural and noble materials, so when you purchase their products you have a guarantee that none of the details have been selected by accident.


explore more at www.shopamericannomad.com

every item has a story. every artist has a voice.


explore more at www.shopamericannomad.com

every item has a story. every artist has a voice.


explore more at www.shopamericannomad.com

every item has a story. every artist has a voice.

artist at TAFTYLI hand dyes Dorota from Taftlyi dyingfabric linen


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every item has a story. every artist has a voice.


$24

handmade in Italy Bring a sense of whimsical style into your home with one of the unique planters handmade by The Yarn Kitchen. Each one is felted by hand using all natural wool and dyes. Felt is the oldest textile fabric dating as far back as 6300 BC. It is created from wool or other fibers that are densely matted together. Felting predates spinning, weaving or knitting and for centuries, this non-woven fabric has been used for yurts, blankets, rugs, hats, boots and clothing. Felt has the ability to protect against cold and insulate against heat, and can absorb and hold moisture.

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FELTED PLANT HOLDERS

About The Yarn Kitchen The Yarn Kitchen is a small family studio located in Italy. Each member of this family of four + the grand mother playes a role, designing, marketing, modelling, shipping and mostly dreaming up their next design. They love to explore with felt around the kitchen table with wool and soapy water and imagination. Their goal is to give materials and things a second chance and show younger generations that things can have a second life, often so different from the first one.

every item has a story. every artist has a voice.


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every item has a story. every artist has a voice.


$14 - $39

handmade in Vietnam At the Kinh family workshop in the famous pottery village of Bat Trang, Vietnam, ceramics artisans carry on centuries-old tradition. Craftspeople, mostly women, earn a meaningful income, blending their artistic skills, traditional techniques and an array of designs. Painted and glazed by hand. High-fired for strength and durability.

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PETAL POTTERY

About Craft Link Craft Link, a nonprofit organization, works with Vietnamese artisans to generate income, with a focus on ethnic minorities, street children and artisans with disabilities. Craft Link helps artisan groups design new products, develop marketing opportunities, sells artisans’ handicrafts locally, and exports their handicrafts to fair trade organizations and commercial companies around the world. Their goals include cultural preservation, public education on traditional handicraft, income generation for small-scale Vietnamese artisans and acquiring new markets. Artisans working with Craft Link receive tools, interest-free loans, education, training and literacy classes.

every item has a story. every artist has a voice.


every item has a story. every artist has a voice.

SHARE COOKBOOK

$34

Global recipes are compiled alongside stunning full-page color images of the food and faces from Women for Women International-- an organization that reaches out to women in war torn areas, providing the knowledge and resources necessary for them to rebuild their lives after having suffered unimaginable hardship. Complete with an introduction by Meryl Streep and quotes from many influential humanitarians, 100% of the publisher’s profits go to Women for Women International.

About Women for Women International

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In countries affected by conflict and war, Women for Women International supports the most marginalized women to earn and save money, improve health and well-being, influence decisions in their home and community, and connect to networks for support. By utilizing skills, knowledge, and resources, she is able to create sustainable change for herself, her family, and community. Since 1993, they have helped nearly 429,000 marginalized women in countries affected by war and conflict. They directly work with women in 8 countries offering support, tools, and access to life-changing skills to move from crisis and poverty to stability and economic self-sufficiency.


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every item has a story. every artist has a voice.


explore more at www.shopamericannomad.com

every item has a story. every artist has a voice.


explore more at www.shopamericannomad.com

CHUNNI CHOPPING BOARD | $27 - $32 handmade in India

every item has a story. every artist has a voice.


explore more at www.shopamericannomad.com

www.shopamericannomad.com

every item has a story. every artist has a voice.


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