Still looking for the perfect gift for dad?  Look no further – pick up a MyMela E-Gift Card and let him choose something one-of-a-kind without leaving his desk. With our unique selection of handicrafts, he is sure to find something he loves.

We’re sure dad will also enjoy our great videos that explain how MyMela products are crafted and the social impact behind every product. He will be proud to see you supporting a socially responsible, eco-friendly brand.

Mandir Coasters $79

Shathranj Chess Set $159

The MyMela EGift card can even be used to make loans to our artisans. What better gift is there than to know you are helping someone on the other side of the world? The money loaned to our artisans is used to upgrade equipment and create jobs and is repaid in three months with an additional 10% bonus in MyMela credits. To learn more about loans, click here and to purchase the ultimate special gift for Dad, click here.

With our special Father’s Day sale, get $10 off any purchase of $30 using code FATHER10 at checkout. Offer expires 6/18 at midnight.

A Great Last Minute Father’s Day Gift: The MyMela EGift Card is a post from: MyMela Blog

Give Dad a gift that gives back this Father’s Day
and save $10 on your purchase of $30 or more!
Use code FATHER10 at checkout. Offer expires 6/16 at midnight.

View all handcrafted gifts for Dad here.

Save on Father’s Day Gifts is a post from: MyMela Blog

Splendor Letter Holder $19.00

Dads get a lot of mail that can pile up and make his desk cluttered. Make his life a bit easier and get him this stylish, handcrafted letter holder so he can better organize his mail. Made of sustainable sheesham wood, Dad will love it.

Stunning Photo Frame $29.00

Are you the apple of dad’s eye? If so a frame with the picture of you both is a great way for him to keep you close wherever he is. This hand-carved frame is made from ‘warli’ art; a unique design by Indian indigenous peoples.

Rajya Playing Cards $169.00

If your father’s hobby is playing cards, why not get him a precious, hand-painted set that speaks for how much you care about him. He will certainly be the only one of his friends with this unique deck.

Peace Offering Oval Bowl $24.00

Since dads aren’t usually big on decorating, give him a simple yet modern bowl to spice up his desk or workplace. He can even get some practical use out of the bowl as a place to put his knick knacks.

Leaves of Gold Decorative Box $70.00

Why not get your father a sleek looking box for him to place all his important items away? It is a unique handcrafted box that will add sophistication to his work place.

To view more gifts and products that will make your Father’s day special, click here.

5 Hand-crafted Gifts Dad Will Love is a post from: MyMela Blog

Nicole Scherzinger is a successful American singer and dancer. She has recently joined UK X Factor, the equivalent to American Idol. She is recognized as a friendly yet funny judge on the show who has a spunky sense of style. Scherzinger is almost always sporting big, statement earrings that add to her exotic look. With these MyMela accessories, you can get the look.

Look #1

Spring Delight Sterling Silver Earrings $59.00

These layered, dangling earrings make for a perfect summer accessory. They are attention-grabbing earrings that will look great with a slick back ‘do and a simple dress or shirt. Pair them with smokey eyes to complete Nicole’s look.

Look #2

Silver Sparkle Earrings $16.00

Big hoop earrings are a ideal to sport to a summer barbeque or party.  MyMela’s Silver Sparkle Earrings are an essential, affordable accessory to pick up for the summer season. They have fun, daring, and stylish written all over them.

Look #3

Sun Drops Engraved Earrings $22.00

Don’t be afraid to be bold this summer. These large, circular earrings look great with a bright dress and add a trait of spontaneity to your look. The Sun Drop Earrings also feature handcrafted floral designs- talk about being prepared for summer getaways!

To see more adventurous yet tasteful accessories that MyMela offers, click here.

Style Icon Saturday: Nicole Scherzinger is a post from: MyMela Blog

Rural landscape in Tamil Nadu.

Scattered across the lush farmland of South India are small, picturesque villages dedicated to the age-old tradition of weaving beautiful and functional items from locally sourced, natural materials. Using materials sourced from nature such as rivergrass, banana leaves, and jute, rural weavers make everything from baskets and bins to floor mats and table linens. 

In every village one can spot roofs, walls, and mats made from the very same natural fibers. In every house in the village, there is a handloom; a testament to how these materials and traditional crafts have become interwoven into the rural way of life over the years. Since (date) local NGO, Industree,  has worked to empower women in rural communities through the formation of production self help groups whose beautiful hand work they find a market for, both domestically and abroad.

One of the homes in Saraswati's village.

Banana fiber on a handloom.

In this interview with MyMela, weaver Saraswati Krishna tells us her story of empowerment through  learning the traditional craft of weaving natural fibers.

Saraswati outside of her home.

My name is Saraswati Krishna and I am from a small village called Salangalapalayam, near Erode. I have been with Industree for only 3 years, but I come from a family of weavers, and I have always had a loom in my home. The self-help group that I work with has provided me training, along with 15 other women.

Since the beginning, I have been elected leader of the group. As the leader, I have additional responsibilities aside from weaving, like issuing raw materials to the other women in the village, receiving the finished products, and checking the quality. The most challenging part of my job is the coordination involved with making timely payments and issuing raw materials. It is a lot to keep track of!

Member of Saraswati's cooperative weaving in her home.

I am married to a carpenter, and I have two children. My son is 20 years old studying electronic engineering in college. My daughter was educated through the 10^thStandard, and now she is married and just gave birth to a baby boy. My wish is that my children and grandchildren will have the opportunity to follow their dreams and to find happiness in life. 

View more products from Industree by clicking here.

Fruitful Placemat Set of 6 $46.00

Honeycomb Small tray $16.00

Voices of MyMela: Industree is a post from: MyMela Blog

Father's Day is June 16! Click on the image for unique gift ideas.

Each week we bring you the most relevant and news worthy articles about what’s happening in the world of crowdfunding, fair trade, sustainable fashion and more!

This week we have exciting topics such as universities exploring crowdfunding, a year-long sustainable fashion challenge and more. We’ve gathered the articles below to keep you in the know about the topics you care about.

So check in with us every week and share your thoughts in the comments section.  Stay informed, get involved, and be part of the solution!

Sustainable Fashion

High fashion embarks on safari to bring sustainable income to African workers – Read more

The 365 Challenge: A Year of Stylish, Reused Clothing – Read more Factory Disasters Increase Demand for Fair Trade Fashion – Read more

What’s in style: Eco-friendly, green fashion – Read more

Crowdfunding

5 ways the booming crowdfunding ecosystem is changing in 2013 – Read more

Universities explore crowdfunding, social media to raise money – Read more

How Smart Angels Will Leverage Crowdfunding – Read more

Crowdfunding sites raise thousands for Oklahoma victims – Read more

Microfinance

Microfinance in Madagascar helps small businesses buck the system – Read more

“Continuing Education” from Venture: A Collection of True Microfinance Stories – Read more

Microfinance and Entrepreneurship Among Minority Communities – Read more

Alleviating Poverty: Mobile Communications, Microfinance and Small Business Development Around the World - Read more

Fair Trade

Does Fairtrade actually work? – Read more

Lessons From Fair Trade on How to Make Your Brand Message More Powerful – Read more

Weekly News Roundup from MyMela is a post from: MyMela Blog

When Chanda Shroff went on a famine relief mission to the Kutch region of Gujarat state in 1969, the last thing she expected to do was to found a company. Nevertheless, when she arrived she was surprised to discover that in this culturally diverse and geographically arid region, rural women have excelled in the craft of embroidery for generations.

Originally created by girls preparing their dowries, each tribal group in the region had its own particular style of embroidery and lexicon of stitches and motifs. Seeing the hardships of these women and the delicate beauty of the art they created, Chanda and her family were inspired to found a philanthropic venture to protect and preserve this craft while empowering the women who practiced it.

Chanda Shroff started Shrujan by giving raw materials like thread and fabric to women embroiderers, encouraging them to create their own pieces and promising them a market for their products. Shrujan gradually spread to more villages and came to represent a multitude of distinct tribal groups producing many different products in a variety of embroidery styles.

Today, Shrujan works with 16 different styles of embroidery done by 3,500 women across 100 villages located in and around the Kutch desert. Shroff’s efforts and dedication to the cause of preserving Kutchi embroidery has resulted in the financial emancipation of many women. Shrujan’s women embroiderers are now able to contribute to their family’s income, while sharing with the world a craft that was previously known only in this remote, arid part of the country.

All Shrujan products in our marketplace are made exclusively for us and are not available on any other website. Enjoy the infinite variations of texture and color embodied in the work. And remember: when you bring the exquisite embroidery of the Shrujan women into your life, you are supporting their empowerment in a very personal way.

Watch the Shrujan video to learn more about the cooperative.

Cosmic Connection Orange Cushion Cover $59.00

Tree of Life Midnight Blue Tote Bag $129.00

Click here to view the entire Shrujan collection of hand-embroidered products.

Empowering Women Through Traditional Embroidery is a post from: MyMela Blog

Kavita Tablecloth $65.00

This lightweight tablecloth, featuring a tranquil shade of blue is a practical item to have “by the beach.” It can be used as the quintessential addition to your nautical beach home and alternatively be used as a blanket to tan or have a picnic on.

 

Shell-Shocked Necklace $22.00

This is the perfect accessory to sport by the water. It is a versatile necklace that can be worn when lounging by the beach at a cafe or it can add a little something extra to a simple dress for a midnight stroll on the beach. The shell charms and gold accents will go great with your summer tan!

Walking Grace Anklets $32.00

Don’t forget about your feet! Anklets look great on everyone and it’s almost a guarantee that you will receive compliments in these unique MyMela anklets.

Summer Bloom White Evening Bag $59.00

This bag is just as full of color as your vacation by the beach should be. The perfect size to hold  a small bottle of sunscreen, a book, and other personal belongings. The exotic mix of color showcased on this exquisite hand-embroidered bag is essential for a tropical vacation.

Turquoise Blossom Earrings $18.00

Large earrings are ideal if you are going to be spending a lot of time by the beach. The vibrant turquoise and fun flowery design of these earrings will transform your ordinary look to an enticing one.

To check out more products that will perfectly compliment your tropical summer, check out the full collection here.

Sustainable Summer Style is a post from: MyMela Blog

Around the globe, Catherine Zeta Jones is known for her grace and beauty. She is also recognized for the sophisticated style she brings to the red carpet. Jones chooses to keep her outfits simple but accessorize with fun earrings and bracelets. She is applauded for being an open-minded, well-cultured individual who incorporates her travel experience into her personal style. She recently said, “I really want to visit India again specifically during the Kumbh Mela pilgrimage and I’m told it is a sight to behold for the eyes and soul.”

Here are a few examples of how you can get a similar classy look to Jones with our MyMela products.

Catherine Zeta Jones

Eternal Essence Handcrafted Dangle Earrings $24.00

Here Jones is wearing attention grabbing earrings that suit her fresh-face look and summer dress so perfectly. You can get the same exotic look with our Eternal Essence Dangle Earrings to wear on a night out with your hair up and simple dress.

Catherine Zeta Jones

Old Gold Engraved Bangle Set $24.00

Jones pairs a set of bangles with a simple mid-length dress to add a little charm. You can dress up your casual dress with our gold engraved bangles. Great for a night out with your friends.

Catherine Zeta Jones

Magical Moon Sterling Silver Set $76.00

Jones pairs a sterling silver necklace featuring a semiprecious stone with a black blouse. Get the look with our Magical Moon Sterling Silver Set and pair it with a work outfit or a simple dress. You are guaranteed to receive compliments with this high-end look.

To view more accessories that MyMela offers to class up a simple outfit click here.

Style Icon Saturday: Catherine Zeta Jones is a post from: MyMela Blog

Women artisans from Sadhna enjoy each other's company.

Hinduism is often described as a polytheistic religion with a pantheon of gods each worshipped for his or her own special qualities and powers.  A deeper study of the religion, however, reveals that there is only one Divine Principle that pulses through the universe but that in order for the literal human mind to comprehend this abstract idea, various gods and goddesses have become part of Hindu mythology, each representing a different aspect of the Divine.  In Hinduism, the female aspect of the divine is known as Devi, or Mother Goddess. She is the female counterpart without whom the male aspect remains impotent and void.   Together, male and female principles fuse to represent the Divine.  Goddess worship is thus an integral part of Hinduism.  Various aspects of female power are attributed to different goddesses and wherever you travel in India, you are always reminded through art, sculpture, song and stories, about the awesome power of the Mother Goddess.

Lakshmi

Statue of Lakshmi

Lakshmi is the Hindu goddess of wealth, prosperity, light, wisdom, fortune, fertility, generosity and courage.  She is the embodiment of beauty, grace and charm and is believed to bring good luck.  Lakshmi is the consort of Vishnu, the Preserver in the Hindu trinity of gods, and accompanies him in all his reincarnations or avatars when he descends to earth.  Thus she is Sita to Vishnu’s Rama and Radha to his Krishna.  While Vishnu is depicted as the stern patriarch, Lakshmi is shown as soothing, warm and approachable, the embodiment of love.  In statues and paintings she is depicted as standing or seated on a lotus which is the Hindu symbol of purity, perfection and spiritual awakening.

Saraswati

Saraswati statue, Gangaikonda Cholapuram temple, 11th century

Saraswati is the Hindu goddess of knowledge, literature, music, art and science.  She is the consort of Brahma, the Creator of the Hindu trinity of gods.  She symbolizes not just worldly knowledge but spiritual knowledge, the awakening of the soul.  In sculpture and paintings, Saraswati is depicted as a beautiful woman dressed in pure white, signifying the purity of the search for truth.   She always has four arms which signify the 4 aspects of the human personality: mind, intellect, alertness and ego. The four arms hold the following: a pot of water signifying purity, a book signifying literature, a veena signifying music and a garland of crystals signifying poetry.

Durga

Statue of Durga defeating the buffalo demon

Durga is the warrior aspect of the Divine Mother, embodying the creativity and compassion of righteous power.  In Hindu mythology, she slays demons and punishes evil doers. She is depicted with many arms that hold the weapons associated with male gods such as Rudra’s trident, Vishnu’s discus, Indra’s thunderbolt, etc., thus combining all their power in herself.  She also carries a lotus flower and wears a meditative smile indicating that she retains a spiritual detachment even while she wreaks havoc on her enemies.

Parvati

Parvati statue, Tamil Nadu, India

Parvati is the consort of Shiva.  She embodies gentleness, nurturance and compassion, without which the power of the male god is useless.  She is the mother of Ganesha, the elephant-headed god of wisdom.  She is depicted as fair-skinned and beautiful, often with a child on her knee.  Her peaceful gentleness is seen as capable of subduing conflict and negative emotions.

Kali

Brass statue of Kali standing on top of her husband Shiva

Kali is the goddess of death and destruction.  She is the fiercest aspect of the mother goddess, being depicted in an aggressive stance holding weapons and ready for battle, with a garland of human skulls.  Paradoxically, Kali’s destructive aspect really reflects the Hindu belief that the physical self and the desires of the ego have to be destroyed in order for the soul to free itself from the cycles of rebirths. Kali is worshipped because she stands for the triumph of truth and the promise of spiritual release from suffering and rebirth.

In the name of all the powerful goddesses of India, MyMela encourages you to celebrate the women in your life.

MyMela Celebrates Women Goddesses is a post from: MyMela Blog