What: Sweetie Necklaces

Where: Thanda Zulu – $24 – $48 & for a limited time everything on the site is 20% off!

Why We Love It: Mmmm, we are such suckers for candy-esque baubles (pun not intended, but there you have it…. ) and these glass beaded strands from Thanda Zulu are delectable. The glass beads, imported from the Czech Republic, are beautiful and the strands come in a variety of color palettes from the bold multi-colored strand to the muted grays of the storm. They range in length from 17″ to 46″, so they are ideal for layering, looping and mixing and matching. And if you are looking for fun ways to style your Thanda Zulu strands, take a look at these ideas from the ladies of Bryn Mawr….

The bead work is inspired by traditional Zulu and Xhosa styles and features an adjustable ball and loop closure. Each necklace is handmade by previously unemployed women in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The women are given complete ownership of the process, designing pieces and buying the beads themselves thus providing viable employment and empowering these women with the ability and means to support their families and their communities. 30% of each purchase goes directly to the woman who crafted the piece, 62% goes to Thanda After-School Project and the remainder goes to operating costs. You can take pride in knowing that your purchase directly supports women, families and children.

Who:

What: Calypso Canvas Wedge

Where: Amazon.com – $69 (update, sold out)

Why We Love It: We soo wanted to embrace TOMS classic canvas shoes, but it was a style that we just couldn’t pull off (although they are super cute for kids!).  So we were so psyched to see their new summer collection with this timeless summer wedge. Love the stripes, the rounded toe, the shape and the TOMS One for One emblem on the back.

They made of natural canvas uppers with an EVA insole and a soft suede insert with jute rope detailing on the heel. They are quite comfortable, breathable and the suede help keeps feet from slipping in the summer heat, but the heel height, at a teetering 3 1/4”,  is certainly not for “quitters.” They do fit snug at first, but over time mold to your foot. And they are selling out fast!

We’ve admired TOMS since they started back in 2006 introducing their One to One concept – for each pair purchased a pair of shoes would be donated to child in need – as a means to create a sustainable business that ‘does good.’  So far TOMS has donated over 600,000 shoes to children around the world.  Which is incredibly powerful when you consider that a pair of shoes means protection from soil-transmitted diseases and infections which can have life altering effects in both health and education, and in many cases these are the first pair of shoes these children have ever owned.  Who knew the power of a shoe?

If you aren’t in the market for a pair of shoes, consider donating your gently used shoes to Souls4Soles who have distributed over 10 million shoes to people in over 125 countries, including Kenya, Thailand, Nepal and the United States.

Who:

What: Seat Belt Cushions

Where: TING – £40 – 70

Why We Love It: Besides being an absolute sweetheart, designer Inghua Ting, is a master at taking salvaged materials like seatbelts and old leather belts and reworking them to create high luxe products. At ICFF 2010, she debuted her new collection of leather belt flooring (more to come on this) along with a vibrant and enviable collection of floor cushions and throw pillows in cool shades of blue. Made of durable reclaimed seatbelts and stuffed with a dense feather fill, the pillows have an unexpected heft that is perfect for a pillow – gives you the feeling that this is a product is going to keep it’s shape, withstand anything and last a lifetime.

Her designs are created with respect for the environment in an effort to minimize the footprint of her designs and all aspects of her life – including biking to and from the office.

TING have always worked to produce the highest quality products with minimal environmental impact. TING’s already small carbon footprint, is offset with the help of growaforest.com who plant trees on our behalf to counterbalance the impact of the CO2 produced by our business. In addition, TING continue to do business with an understanding of our social and ethical responsibility.

Want to see more fashionable seatbelts? Check out Harvey’s Carry-On Tote and Baguette.

Who:

What: Artichoke Lamp

Where: Stray Dog Designs – $625

Why We Love ‘Em: Such a playful and fun accent piece. This lamp has texture, spunk and the carefree spirit of the tropics. Perfect for a beach retreat or to add some color to your room.

Each lamp is handmade by artisans in Haiti and made of papier mache from recycled materials. You can leave the base white or go for a pop of color with your choice of 15 different paint colors, all low-VOC, ranging from the bright Bahaman Sea Blue pictured to a cool African Violet to the sharp contrast of a basic black. All bases are paired with a white paper shade. Other items in their collection are crafted from repurposed tin, glass and even cement bags.

Initially, the founders of Stray Dogs design set out to create unique pieces while providing sustainable jobs for communities in need, as was the case with Haiti. In light of the recent earthquake, they have set up the Stray Dog Designs Haitian Worker Relief fund to directly support the workers they employed. In addition, a portion of each Stray Dog Design purchase is donated to organizations that feed hungry children, shelter homeless families, or create loving homes for stray dogs and cats. So bringing some color and whimsy into your home will help bring color to those in need.

Related Articles: Paperstone Cutting Boards | Green Guides: Paperstone Countertops

What: Tegu Magnetic Wooden Blocks

Where: Tegu.com – $50 – $125

Why We Love ‘Em: The classic wooden block just got a whole lot more fun! These innovative Tegu blocks combine the beauty of the classic wooden block with the ‘magic’ of magnets. So you can completely defy gravity creating Wright-esque cantileversand dynamic forms from the wheels of a racecar to the petals of a flower.

The blocks come in cubes, long planks and short planks. Each is made from FSC-Certified tropical hardwoods including huesito (an abundant species native to Honduras), beech and a limited edition set made of mahogany. They are coated with water-based, non-toxic finishes. The tactile blocks are incredibly well-crafted with the magnets safely imbedded in the core  for a toy that will last generations to come.

In creating Tegu, founders Chris and Will Haughey wanted to address the question of how can a company make a profit and have a positive social impact? They have succeeded in creating a toy that captures the mind of children and adults alike while contributing to the economic welfare of a community in need. They built a manufacturing plant in Honduras to support local communities and by supporting FSC-certified lumber companies, they are supporting sustainable harvesting practices and helping to protect the region from deforestation. In addition, for every set of Tegu blocks purchased, the company plants at tree though their partner Trees for the Future. You can also go to their site and make donations to plant trees and to fund children’s eduction in Honduras.

What: Cadi Multifunctional Boot

Where: Urban Outfitters – $198, or direct from WHERE on sale for  75 (approx $121.57 depending on exchange rate plus shipping & taxes)

Why We Love It: Very exciting news – one of our favorite European labels, WHERE, has just landed in the US and are now selling a selection of their shoes at none other than Urban Outfitters. So, now you can finally get your hands on WHERE’s cutting edge collection of ethical footwear without incurring exorbidant import fees.

Among the three shoes featured is the most coveted and brilliant Cadi boot which solves the dilemma of the bootie vs. the full length boot. Based on a traditional equestrian riding boot the ‘tall’ version of this versatile boot features elegant stirrups and pull on tabs so you can slip the sheath over your calves. The bootie has a timeless design with brass hardware details for a edgy yet classic look.  Check out WHERE’s instructional video to see how this knee high boot easily transforms into a bootie.

Not only is the Cadi versatile – two boots in one, but it is also a classice silhouette that will never go out of style.  Whether the ‘it’ boot is a tall boot or a bootie, you’ve got both in a boot that transcends trends. The design of their shoes is the perfect blend of traditional shoe making workmanship and techniques with modern sensibilities and unexpected detailing resulting in a one of a kind product.

All of the materials for the boot are locally sourced from small producers using only high quality leathers for a more durable product. Each shoe is made completely by hand in India where all employees are treated fairly and receive fair wages. Whereever possible WHERE uses natural and eco-friendly materials for the products themselves and for the packaging.

Related Articles: Terra Plana’s Quilted Comfort | Olsen Haus Heels

What: “Thirst for Giving” Special Edition Vessels

Where: Amazon.com – $35 (See also the KOR ONE BPA Free Hydration Vessel for $25.99)

Why We Love It: We first spotted the Kors Hydration Vessel at the Green Pavilion of the Architectural Digest Home show last year. Huge fans of the bright colors, the slick cylindrical shape and the innovative flip-top cap hinged to stay in place – no more running around the house in search of our missing screw top caps. The wide-mouthed top also fits ice cubes quite nicely so you can enjoy cool beverages. Another nice feature, for klutzs like ourselves, is the grippy bottom to help avoid inadvertent spills. This is a good sized water bottle, much taller than standard models on the market, but the cylindrical shape fits nicely in the plam of your hand (even our small hands!)

$5 from the sale of each Special Edition vessels is donated to Thirst for Giving. Each bottles feature a unique nature-inspired motif  that reflects the four non-profit organizations that the Thirst for Giving program supports – The Algalita Marine Research Foundation, Blue Planet Run, The Container Recycling Institute and The Wetlands Initiative.

The ‘hydration vessels’ are made of Tritan, a BPA-free plastic that is odor-free, dishwasher safe and 100% recyclable, but since is technically a #7 plastic it is not easily recycled. Kors plans to implement their own take-back recycling program to reclaim the bottles at the end of use.

Related Articles: Earthlust-worthy Designs | DIY Soda | No More Single Use Water Bottles

What: Fox Earrings

Where: World of Good – $35

Why: Walking into artist Emily Baker’s studio is like walking into another world, filled with the most unlikely of treasures – cast off car parts, bits of recycled glass, sea urchin spikes… all of the inspiration for her unique jewelry. Love the way that she manages to transforms every day objects into something extraordinary. These Fox Earrings are crafted from old car parts and salvaged vintage brass chains for a lightweight pair of mod hoops.

Not only are these earrings sustainable, made from 50% post-consumer waste and without the use of toxic materials, but they are also people positive. Emily is a member of Trillium Artisans, a nonprofit economic development organization that supports low-income crafters in Portland, Oregon. Trillium Artisans is just one of hundreds of sellers featured on World of Good, a multi-seller marketplace that promotes people positive and eco-positive products from around the world. Visit World of Good to shop for gifts with meaning and check the Goodprint label to learn about the positive impact your purchases make.

	One lucky Urban Sherp reader will win a pair of the Fox Earrings courtesy of World of Good. To enter, leave a comment on Urban Sherp about an item from WorldofGood.com that you would love to receive as a gift this holiday. Hurry! This giveaway ends December 4, 2009 at 11:59PM EST. One entry per person. Open to US & Canadian Residents. Official Rules.

Who:

What: Matsu Jacket

Where: Elroy – was $188.10, on sale for $132.05 (Sign-up to The Find for extra 10% off through 12/31)

Why We Love It: The Matsu Jacket would be a great staple for any wardrobe. Such a versatile piece that works perfectly paired with short sleeves or long, with jeans or a pencil skirt, with a sweater dress or a cocktail dress. The relaxed dolman sleeves, the exaggerated neckline and the figure flattering tie waist hits just the right note of modern femininity – sweet, edgy and timeless.

Designer Leanne McElroy has an amazing ability to construct pieces that are fashion forward and innovative and yet incredible wearable, affordable, all while adhering to core principles of ‘ethical fashion.’ From start to finish, her goal is to create quality, sustainable, fairly traded and beautiful garments, and she definitely succeeded with the Matsu Jacket.

The Matsu Jacket is available in 100% organic cotton in white, chocolate, sky or gravel or in a 55% hemp/45% tencel blend in sand or stone (as shown above).

	One lucky Urban Sherp reader will win the Matsu Jacket in the color &  size of their choice (pending availability). To enter, visit Elroy Apparel & then leave a comment below telling US which item, other than the Matsu Jacket, you would put on your wishlist. Hurry! This giveaway ends December 2, 2009 at 11:59PM EST. One entry per person. Open to US & Canadian Residents. Official Rules.

You might also like: Thread Social’s Chevron Skirt | Elroy Apparel’s Fresh Take on the Shift Dress

Who:

What: Vote Ecologically Organic T-shirt

Where: SOLD OUT at Under the Canopy.com, Men’s & Women’s sizes available at Natural Home Store for $28.00

Why: Wear your vote on your chest, not on your bumper. I am a huge fan of Under the Canopy’s soft soft, perfectly-snug, tees made of 100% cotton in fair wage factories in Peru with 2% of the sales of these tees are donated to the Rainforest Foundation. And I could not find one nearer or dearer to my heart that this one. I will happily don my VOTE t-shirt around all the Massachussetts NIMBYS who have been fighting the Cape Wind Project for the past seven years, too wrapped up in their own selfish battle to see that windmills create some of the most beautiful landscapes and stand as a testament to the power of nature combined with human innovation, but I digress….thanks to the eco-stylings of Under the Canopy, I won’t have to shout my stance on windmills, I can just let my Tee do the talking for me, supporting three causes with one Tee – organic fabrics, alternative energy and the rainforest, all for $28.00.

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Updated April 2, 2009: Under the Canopy is holding a huge sale, up to 70% off their ecofashions, T-shirts now $13.99, yoga pants for $25.99, great deals on high quality organic clothing.