beautiful process beautiful product Archives

Beautiful Process, Beautiful Product | Gorgeous Leather Bags from Amazig Leather

You know me – I love a beautiful product with a beautiful process behind it, and today’s find epitomizes that mantra. Not only is the process beautiful, but the purpose of this whole company is truly inspiring, and the handmade leather bags they produce are nothing short of gorgeous.

Amazig Leathers {pronounced “ah – mah – zig”} began with the dream of one young woman who wanted to change the world. Founder Brandi Jordan grew up believing it was possible, but it took some time for her to figure out how to make it happen.

“We are told from a young age that we can change the world, but so often we aren’t told how. I’ve always had this intense desire to make a positive impact somewhere and the radar system in my head is constantly on the lookout for opportunities,” she says.

It wasn’t until a few years ago that Brandi’s passion and purpose collided with an idea that would become the fulfillment of her dream. As Brandi started paying closer attention to the process behind the products she was purchasing on a regular basis, she was shocked to discover seemingly common practices of sub-standard working conditions, un-fair wages, and unethical treatment of the craftspeople.

“I had the epiphany that with every purchase I make, I can either empower or enslave people, real people.”

Inspired to create an ethical company with far-reaching impact, Brandi’s dream solidified around the idea of creating a leather goods social enterprise based in Morocco that would offer beautiful products and provide sustainable, positive change for a community of people.

{I am seriously in LOVE with this duffle bag – perfect for a lovely long weekend getaway!}

In creating profound relationships with Imazighen artisans on her first business trip to Morocco, Brandi established partnerships that would become the foundation of her vision for the company. Through the sale of high-quality, handmade artisanal leather-goods, Brandi is empowering these artisans to provide not only for their families, but also for their community with a portion of Amazig’s profits supporting educational initiatives among the Imazighen people.

Amazig Leathers only uses vegetable tanned leather, which ages better and is also better for the environment than harsher chemically tanned leathers commonly used. Amazig only uses leather from animals where the whole animal is utilized – for food as well as for leather – creating less impact on the environment. Artisans receive fair living wages and are provided with honourable employment at all levels of the supply chain and a portion of the profits go back into the communities where the artisans are from to support educational initiatives in those communities. Doesn’t get much better than that!

Amazig’s Debut Collection will arrive in North America the first week in November {shipping the following week}, and you can help them get a running start at their launch by contributing to their Kickstarter Campaign. Each contribution level of course comes with the amazing reward of a gorgeous, handmade leather piece from Amazig, so it’s really a win-win-win situation!

I hope Brandi’s courageous, compassionate heart for social justice – and the beautiful process behind her beautiful products – has inspired you as much as it has inspired me today.

Happy Wednesday!

xo
s.

By Sarah Walker The Curated House|October 2nd, 2013|0 Comments

Design Find | Armadillo Co Rugs | Australia

Today I thought I’d share a little eye candy with you in the form of some beautiful, flat-woven rugs hailing all the way from the warm shores of Australia. On first glance, you’ll see why the classic and modern patterns and highly saturated colours of Armadillo & Co‘s rugs caught my attention. But when you read their story, that’s when you’ll really fall in love.

I’m torn between the “Casablanca” burnt-red-on-cream {second from top}, the “Crosscut” red and orange and natural grey directly above and the goldenrod, grey and cream “Persia” below as my favourites.

Gorgeous, right? These pieces are all from their Designer Collection. Modern and graphic yet classic and timeless, these rugs could make just about any house feel like home.

But I promised you a good story today, didn’t I? Yes, yes. Theirs is a delightful one. Because this story {similar to that of Heavenly Organics} is a story of a business that cares for people. You see, their products are completely fair trade, and Armadillo & Co treats their artisans like extended family – with the kind of care, respect and love they would a father, mother, brother or sister. They select their artisans for both their hands and their heart, seeking out those who are both skilled and sensitive to their design aesthetic while carrying on an intricate tradition of weaving that has been passed down through many generations. Their wages are above average and integral to the health and well-being of their local community, and the lineage of handicraft they preserve in the work they do now.

They are working in meaningful ways to redeem an industry that has historically abused the people to create the product. As supporters and advocates for “Care & Fair,” they are working to ensure that child labour in the carpet production industry becomes a thing of the past by helping to finance local education and purchasing play equipment for the local school in the region of India where their rugs are woven.

{When purchasing any rug or carpet made in India, look for the ‘KALEEN’ label. Issued by the Carpet Export Promotion Council  of India, it guarantees that child labour was not used in manufacture.}

So happy to find a company that meets my “beautiful process, beautiful product” standards! So happy to be sharing them with you today.

Stay cozy and be kind to one another!

xo
s.

By Sarah Walker The Curated House|January 23rd, 2013|1 Comment

Tartine | Part 1 | San Francisco

I love a good story. The kind with a rhythm, with a persistent protagonist who perseveres and finds a way to push through challenges to overcome and create the things that legacies are made of. And today I am excited to share just such a story through the journey of a humble, magical bread-maker. Chad Robertson and his wife, pastry chef Elizabeth Prueitt, have created what can only be described as an iconic bakery and café in the heart of the Mission District in San Francisco. I recently had the delight of visiting their aromatic corner of the earth with my son. The perfect mother-son date. {After all, the way to any man or boy’s heart is indeed through their stomach.} This video will help you to understand why we were completely won over. They truly embody my motto: “beautiful process, beautiful product.”