–Karen Chien, Founder Object Mythology

Beautifully handcrafted, these pearl and cornelian drop earrings are set in 14k gold overlay. Handcrafted by Turkish artisans, this earrings were handpicked by Object Mythology during their last trip to The Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, Turkey. Size: 2 1/4 in. long. $80.00

As an experienced world traveler, I can attest to the wonder of hand-made objects from cultures from around the globe. While living in the Peruvian Andes, I fell in love with the artisan markets scattered throughout the Sacred Valley. The pieces I found there were always charged with a special energy that is impossible to find in anything manufactured. Embedded within the objects are stories, traditions, and teachings from many generations. The songs and poems of the people are woven, carved and welded into their objects.

This limited edition, hand knit wool hat was handpicked by the Object Mythology team when they found it on Taquile Island in Lake Titicaca, Peru. Beautifully hand knit and embroidered, many of the best knitters come from Puno and Taquile island. $35.00

These artisan goods are often made with a refined skill and a deep respect for the materials, often using materials sourced and produced in an eco-friendly and sustainable way. For example, many of the Andean textiles are dyed using the natural plant pigments that are not harmful to the ecosystem. These handmade and often traditional pieces are made with love and you can feel the difference. It feels great buying a unique piece that tells a story and directly supports the people of the craft.

These unique hoop earrings feature turquoise, pearl and rose quartz stones in 14k gold overlay. Handcrafted by Turkish Artisans, these earrings were handpicked by Object Mythology during their last trip to The Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, Turkey. Size: 2 1/4 in. long $95.00

Object Mythology, an online marketplace, is making these kinds of treasures easily available to those of us who love unique objects. By building a bridge to the beautiful world of artisan crafts of cultures from around the world, Object Mythology is an example of a brilliant business model. They are providing a sustainable alternative to cheap mass manufactured goods by offering one of a kind pieces, hand chosen with a refined eye for aesthetic and design.

This Amazonian print necklace was hand-beaded by an artist living in the Peruvian Amazon. Its unique design are reflective of the amazonian spirit. Necklace is 17.5 inches long. $75.00

I had the honor of interviewing Karen Cheng, the founder of Object Mythology about her work.

What inspired you to start Object Mythology?

Five years ago, I was heading to Macchu Picchu and met a group of artisans who were looking for work to help provide for their families. Many of them were single mothers who had just learned to knit through a charity organization in Peru and wanted to meet a designer who could help develop their talents to create hand knit products for the US and European markets. I met them at their workshop and felt honored that many had taken time from their families to meet me. I was determined to find a way to help them foster their creativity.

How does travel enrich your creativity?

Travel has always been a passion of mine since I was young. Nothing is more exciting than traveling to the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul and finding a really interesting silk fabric that I could bring home to create really fabulous pillows for a client or finding unique, interesting vintage pieces like the seltzer bottles from Buenos Aires to dress up a bookcase. It’s always fun to travel and bring back something to remind you of the great time you had on that wildly exotic, fun trip.

How do you choose which objects are worthy of being brought to the world by Object Mythology?

We always look for good aesthetics and design to make sure that the unique interesting objects we bring to Object Mythology fits into the company’s mission to maintain social responsibility on a luxury level. Whether it is the work we provide for the single mothers who make our products or through eco-friendly materials and practices.

What do you seek to inspire through the objects that you provide?

All of the things we carry through Object Mythology have a story. For example, the Cambodian silk scarves are from a workshop where many of the weavers are landmine victims. It is nice to know that the silk scarf you’re wearing helps provide work for someone who greatly benefits from your purchase. Everything we carry at Object Mythology has some benefit whether it’s to provide work for those less fortunate or its eco-friendly. Every object should have a positive social impact on the world.

What is your vision for the integration of art, travel and social entrepreneurship?

To create an luxury lifestyle shopping resource for the individual who desires beautiful things from nearby and faraway places. I’m lucky enough to travel frequently while some may not have the time. Through Object Mythology I hope that everyone can bring something special home for themselves or for someone special anywhere, anytime.

Beyond The Garment Factory’s Floor from savann.oeurm on Vimeo.

Sometimes people think that covering and promoting eco fashion is frivolous. This is why it’s not.

Recently, I conducted an intern search, and since Eco Chick is one of the many companies that works virtually, that means I had to find a place to meet with all the fantastic applicants. As I spend quite a bit of time in the Union Square area of NYC, I have long been stopping by the Think Coffee near the park, but this past autumn, on a run back from the gorgeous-in-every-season Hudson River Park, I noticed a new Think was setting up shop at 8th avenue between 13th and 14th streets.

The interior of the 14th&8th Think Coffee store – with plenty of room in the back room for relaxing and enjoying your java.

This store is much more chill than the always-busy Broadway location, and soon after they opened, I became a regular. Not just because I have a bit of a coffee addiction, but because the space is open and new (but with a bit of an old-school coffeehouse vibe), and Think is serious about its ethical bona fides, which include the following:

-Sourcing direct from farmers. No middleman means no greenwashing, as coffee farms are visited by (the lucky!) Think employees during travels to Brazil, Columbia and Costa Rica. Why all this trouble?

Coffee is grown across the globe, and, in our opinion, no single coffee purchasing or certification system can be expected to work equally well everywhere. Whether it is a small family farm in Nicaragua or a Brazilian plantation or a cooperative in southern Ethiopia, each has its own economic, social and political climate. That’s why we go to origin, to see first hand where our coffee comes from, to bring you as much transparency as we can. No other coffee retailer we know of checks up on the claims of its roasters, importers or certifying authorities the way we do.

To read more, check out the rest of the post on our sister site, Eco Chick Escapes, all about travel and style.

Diamonds. They’re there for a girl when she needs them. As they sparkle back at you, you’re reminded of a time in your life, or a place, a person or cherished memory.

But what’s even better than those feelings a diamond evokes, is the pride you have as you rock a piece that was ethically sourced and manufactured responsibly.

I discovered Anjolee– the largest purveyor of high-quality, ethically sourced diamond bracelets online, and it was pure rapture. They manufacture every single item they sell which allows them complete control over the quality of their products. And they mean business when it comes to their sourcing. Anjolee fully complies with the Kimberly Act of 2003, ensuring that all of their diamonds are strictly certified as conflict-free.

Here’s another reason I know you and I can be boastful about an Anjolee piece: They love Mother Earth as much as we do. Their strict, green jewelry manufacturing process involves the refining, recycling and clean disposal of all materials used during the process.

Since the products met our site’s standards, it was time to do some serious window shopping. I have to admit that I sort of felt like a little girl in FAO Schwartz. “Ohhh, I like this one. No wait, that one!!” The site is easy to navigate and you can custom-design a piece to your fancy that meets both your taste and budget (let’s be honest, we all have restrictions!).  What’s great is that since you’re buying from Anjolee directly, they’re able to offer affordable prices below retail.

So whether you’re in search of a stunning Diamond Bracelet, Diamond Tennis Bracelet, Gemstone Bracelet, Tennis Bracelet, Necklace, Diamond Earrings, Diamond Jewelry or more, it’s impossible not to find an item that’s perfect for you, the earth and the people who produced it. Anjolee jewelry will be a great addition to that little holiday wish list of yours. Not only will you look good wearing it, but you’ll feel good wearing it because there’s a happy story behind Anjolee’s jewelry.

I don’t really consider chocolate an indulgence- more like a part of my daily diet (I’m so not kidding about that!). And that means I eat a lot of chocolate; probably about a bar a week. And seeing that I enjoy it so much I def look for high quality, Fair Trade and organic brands only. After all, as much as I love chocolate, it’s NOT a necessity for life!

I choose ethical brands because the conventional ones (Hershey’s, I’m looking at YOU!) not only tend to use lower-quality cocoa that tastes terrible, but doesn’t pay farmers fair wages and might even be involved in taking advantage of child labor and/or environmental degradation from the cocoa farming. That ain’t sweet and I won’t contribute to it!

A cocoa farmer in Madagascar (that’s a cocoa fruit he’s eating, the flesh is delicious, and the seeds are what cocoa is made from).

Madecasse chocolate is one of the best chocolates I’ve tried, flavor-wise, so much so that I quickly devoured the samples the company sent me and bought some more at the market! Creamy and rich, without any waxiness (many inexpensive chocolates use cheap fats and oils to create a creamy mouth-feel, but it’s just fat, not real flavor; Lindt, I’m looking at YOU here!). Truly, one of my top 3 fave chocolates, Madecasse is now on regular rotation in my household.

Madecasse is made from the best ingredients, and simplicity is key; the 80% cocoa bar contains just cocoa, sugar, and cocoa butter. Contrast that with Lindt, who add barley malt powder, palm kernel oil, caramel flavoring, and a bunch of other junk in their darkest chocolate.

The sea salt and nibs bar is hands-down the best I’ve had of that variety (Knipschildt, who is based in my current hometown in Connecticut makes a great one too).

Vanilla is an important ingredient in most chocolate; these women are sorting and drying vanilla bean pods.

The company was started by three Peace Corps volunteers, Brett, Tim and Joe, who worked in Madagascar, and not only is it Fair Trade, but Joe told me, “we make the entire bar there, from training and empowering farmers to tying the raffia tie on the packaging.”

All the chocolates are available in the company’s web store, and I have found them in NYC at Whole Foods and Westside Markets. Outside NYC, check here for a store close to you that carries Madecasse; it’s worth it!

The newest installment of Harry Potter (Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows: Part 1) came out this past weekend and the world could not wait to see their favorite actors battle with the evil wizards that aim to take down the good (for good!). If you are a fan of the series, you’ve seen Emma Watson’s Hermoine mature from a timid, supersmart wizard-in-training to one of the most powerful Muggles on-screen.

Actress Emma Watson, who plays Hermoine, has also grown up, from cute girl to fashion icon, with her latest modelling contract for Burberry. But Watson’s more than just a poster girl, she’s an ethical fashionista too, having recently collaborated with the UK’s super-sustainable line People Tree.

Emma’s line is called “Love from Emma” and though it’s technically for girls, there are some really cute pieces ladies of any age could rock. To ensure the sustainable characteristics are met, People Tree works with 50 Fair Trade groups in 15 countries. That means more work for more artisans. In other words more work means better conditions which leads to the alleviation of poverty (now that is cool.)

The methods used to make the beautiful collections are eco-sound. Most of the cotton used is certified organic and Fairtrade and all of the dyes are natural. Most of the materials are local so nontoxic textiles are chosen. The artisans know how to make the best of these methods so the collections are beautiful while still being low-impact. Artisans are also employed, so the collections include handwoven fabrics.

Emma Watson revealed her collection this summer, championed via (megagreenie himself) Prince Charles and demonstrated that the talents of the screen star go way beyond cute witchery. Her collection for People Tree is adorable and unique. I love the details that she has keen look-out for and which can be seen in such sustainable, chic items as, The Salmon Pink Grecian Dress, The Loretto Button Dress, and The Kitebrook Shorts.

Emma Visits Bangladesh…see how the fabrics for the People Tree collection are made!

You know how every now and then, you take a bite of something and it’s so insanely good, your eyes involuntarily roll back into your head? Moments like those are few and far between for most of us, especially because food that divine is often outrageously decadent or made with rare, expensive ingredients. But sometimes what makes that food so delicious – even beyond brilliant flavor combinations and expert preparation – is the knowledge that every single aspect of its production was handled with the utmost care and responsibility.

Call me crazy, but for me, that’s why Fair Trade Certified foods taste even better than food made with the same exact ingredients but produced in a way that screws over the environment, workers and community that created it. Would you treat a bar of Hershey’s chocolate the same way that you’d treat a bar that is not only organic, but sourced directly from well-paid Mayan farmers? Nope. While you might scarf down a cheap candy bar without a thought, this chocolate is special.

For Fair Trade Month, I got to try a few certified food products including a bar of Green & Black’s dark chocolate, some La Yapa quinoa and a tin of Rishi Wild Berry loose tea. All of these products are certified by Fair Trade USA, an organization that ensures that products labeled ‘Fair Trade Certified’ meet strict criteria including fair price, fair labor conditions, direct trade without unnecessary middlemen, democratic dealings between the producers, community development and environmental sustainability.

Not only were the raw ingredients that went into each of these products sustainably grown by knowledgable farmers in a healthy working environment, those farmers often spend Fair Trade revenues on social and business development projects like scholarship programs and organic certification.

Are any of the products I tried unbelievably, eye-rolling good? Maybe not (though give a good chef that La Yapa quinoa – a brand owned by farmers in the salt flats of Bolivia – and your odds are definitely favorable). All of them were delicious, no doubt about that.

But beyond that, there’s a wonderful satisfaction in knowing that your purchase not only did no harm, but helped improve the quality of life of farming families and their communities – and this knowledge will induce you to slow down and savor that bite of chocolate, and truly enjoy that cup of tea.

Learn more about all kinds of Fair Trade Certified products at TransFairUSA.org.

In honor of Earth Month, THREE lucky Eco-Chick readers will win and Eco-Starter Kit from Target. Making small changes, even during typical daily routines such as brushing your teeth and washing your hair can have a positive impact on the Earth.

The Target Eco-Starter Kit includes the following items (for more ideas visit the new eco-boutique):

Target Eco-Starter Kit:

* Home Organic Towels
* Dr. Bronner’s Organic Fair Trade Shikakai Soap
* Burt’s Bees Shampoo and Conditioner Value Pack
* Conair ECO Ionic 1400-watt Dryer
* Radius Source Toothbrush 3-pk
* H2O Eco Bottle (stainless steel)
* Reusable Tote Bag GiftCard
* Standard Reusable Shopping Bag
* Organic Archer Farms Fruit Bars

To win, leave a comment below telling us which product you’d most love to try and why. When you fill in the comment field, it will ask for you email address. This is the address I will use to contact the winner, so use a real email. There are three winners for this one!

Deets and Promises: Eco Chick does not sell, lease or lend any email addresses we collect. Giveaway ends Friday, April 23rd 2010. Good luck!

“Per FTC guidelines I am disclosing that Target is providing the product which will be given to the three readers.”

This thought-provoking tee isn’t organic, but it is available on American Apparel stock shirts, so at least you can choose a fair-trade option. I think this is totally genius, and includes all the heavy metals that have worked their way into the bodies of every human being on the planet- like it or not. These heavy metals are known disease-causers and are pumped into the air and water by coal- and oil-burning power plants, garbage incineration, plastic-production plants and others- and are distributed planet-wide.

• Learn how to make ethical fashion choices and upcycle your existing wardrobe this week on Green Girls Global.
• Check out the Eco Fashion World interview with Maroussia Rebecq, founder of the Andrea Crews Collective.
• Eco-Chick has rounded up some Eco Fashion News from around the web!
• The Eco Diva goes local with Etsy.com!
• Learn about Bangladesh Garment Factories Going Fair Trade at Ethical Style!
• Check out Curatorial’s Limited Edition Collection featured on Feelgood Style.
• Green Grechen discusses the impacts of milk silk.
• Want to see some of the best organic fashion on sale today? Green Lashes and Fashion has a round up!
• 8 Ways to Get the Closest Eco Shave for Men and Women–on Greenopia!
• Inhabitat is featuring the very drool-worthy Noon Solar Bags.
• Modern Hippie Mag has a question about hair oil in their Ask the Beauty Chick column.
• Are You a Green Beauty? Take the Quiz on Planet Green!
• Upcycled bags are better the second time around…so says The Alternative Consumer!
• Join in the Vintage Jewelry Obsession this Fall at The Green Girls.
• The Thrifty Chicks are Standing Naked in a Thrift Store.
• Treehugger dishes on the 7 Common Cosmetics Ingredients You Need to Avoid!
• Fashion, Evolved interviews Jaszy McAllister creator of ethical, beautiful Jaszy’s Jewelry.