Lilac

Andinet’s Story

One of my favorite aspects of Raven + Lily (and in particular, my role with Raven + Lily) is getting to share the stories of the women in our partnerships. These women are so honored to have their story shared because they have overcome hardship and are experiencing hope, dignity, and purpose through our partnership.  On a recent trip to Ethiopia, Esther Havens (humanitarian photographer) and Lori Fox (lead designer for R+L) captured a new story to share…the story of Andinet.  

Here is Andinet’s story in her words:

I used to sell food from the country side in the city and had a good life with my family. My husband became ill and died, so to support my daughter and I,  I left her with family members in the country side and went to the city to get work in an Arab country. After I filled out my application, I had to get tested for HIV. I found out I was positive. I was shocked. I decided to stay in the city and move to Entoto because I heard I could be healed by the holy water. I thought I could be healed then go back to my daughter and everything would be okay. After 3 years I decided to return to the country to get my daughter and move her to Entoto with me. I got her tested and she came back positive too. I have now been at Entoto for 8 years. I joined the jewelry making program in the beginning, 4 years ago. I am so thankful I do not have to stay at home alone all day. I love coming to work and talking to everyone. I tell them everything. They are like family to me. In the future I would like to save enough money to move into the city so my daughter and I can have a better life. When they first started the savings accounts here I did not like it and did not understand it. But now I am so happy to have it. I recently had some kidney problems and I was able to use money from my savings to help pay for it.

Thank you Andinet for sharing your story with us.  You are a beautiful soul and we’re so proud of you!

Crafting Bullet Casings into Beautiful Jewelry: Part 2

(Before reading this post, be sure to read Part 1 from last week’s blog about hand crafting beads from bullets.)

There is a labor of love and history that goes into each and every bead in our designs.

We source beads, charms, and pendants from remote villages to create jewelry designs in partnership with a job training program that targets supporting HIV positive women.  We strive to honor both the bead makers and the women in our partnership through a direct, fair trade relationship.

The women in our partnership have been ostricized by their famililes and communities because of the stigma associated with AIDS.  They come to a mountain to live in community with other HIV positive Ethiopians.  Some come with their children as widows.  Some come with their HIV positive husbands.  All come to wash in the “holy waters” on the mountain believed to bring healing from their disease.  Most resort to begging and waiting to die.  They have lost hope.

When we first started our partnership two years ago, there were only a few skilled women, and most of the women still showed signs of sickness and discouragement.

Today, the jewelry design center is buzzing with activity and joy.  There are now 150 women in the program and a large waiting list of more to enter as our orders grow. Hope is contagious.

The women gather throughout the week to fulfill our orders, working together based on their skills and level of training.

Our lead designer just returned from Ethiopia last night, sharing that the women are so confident and proud of their work.  Many of them now have savings accounts which has become a tangible result of empowerment.  

She showed them our website and they grinned ear to ear.  When I hear reports like this, I too grin ear to ear and know that its all been worth it!

What was once meant for harm (bullets) now brings hope and life to these women….the ultimate example of upcycling for good.

Why don’t you join this redemption story and purchase something from our jewelry collection for yourself or someone you love.  You’ll be directly part of bringing hope and dignity to an HIV positive woman in Ethiopia.  

You can feel beautiful inside and out when you wear our Ethiopia collection.  Each original handmade piece of jewelry embodies redemptive beauty.

(all photos by Esther Havens)

Crafting Bullet Casings into Beautiful Jewelry: Part 1

I love redemption stories.  They remind us that there is hope and meaning even in life’s darkest moments.  I also love finding ways to incorporate repurposed materials into our collections…taking what was considered waste and making it into something beautiful and valuable.  Our Ethiopia Collection tells a very powerful redemptive story, and one of the most stunning examples of up-cycling I know.

In the rural regions of Ethiopia, farmers gather empty bullet casings found in their fields.These bullet casings are reminders of the many conflicts Ethiopia faced in the 20th century. 

In nearby villages, families continue to practice the art of bead making utilizing artisan skills passed down through generations.  Since resources are scarce in such a poor country, the villagers buy the empty bullet casings from the farmers to make their amazing hand crafted beads and charms.

Over crude hot coals, the bullets are melted and then poured into thin rods of brass or copper metal.

The metal is then hammered into thin sheets, cut into strips, and formed into beads…one by one.  The amount of work that goes into each bead is absolutely stunning.

The beads are next strung and dipped into a lime solution that brings out the shine of the brass and copper.

To achieve the silver beads, vintage silver coins are cut in half and the beads are dipped into another solution of the melted coin to create a silver coating.

Finally, the beads are washed, scrubbed, and hung to dry.

Esther Haven’s photos truly capture the labor of love that goes into each bead in our collection.  I cherish the imperfect beauty of these beads. Some extra shiny and smooth.  Some a little rough around the edges.  Each unique.  Each lovely.

(Stayed tuned for Part 2…the story of the HIV positive women who create the Raven + Lily designs made from these incredible up-cycled beads.)

Our Goods have arrived…volunteers + boxes galore!

After a month of waiting, our shipments from India and Ethiopia finally arrived last week! Our little studio was suddenly flooded with boxes!

Never fear!  Many of my wonderful Austin friends came to the rescue to help us unpack and organize all the amazing goodies.  It felt like Christmas!

And today another group of lovely ladies spent most their day helping me organize all our wholesale orders!  They lovingly packaged the goods for many wonderful boutiques, museums, and other online venues.

My favorite volunteer of all was my sweet 13 year old chihuahua, Lumiere.  I love how she coordinates with the style of our studio showroom! 

We’re almost ready to launch our online store!  Thank you for your patience.  We can hardly wait for you to start shopping!  Stay tuned…any day now…

Story of Amleset

Its a joy to share the redemptive stories of the women in our partnerships like Amleset from Ethiopia.  When I met her for the first time 2 years ago, I remember how proud she was of the first designs we created together (including our popular Ella Necklace she proudly models below).  

She and her husband are HIV positive, yet Amleset and her family are thriving because of the wholistic support they receive from our partnership that cares for people living on Entoto Mountain.  It wasn’t easy for her to learn how to make jewelry, but she persevered.  This is her story in her own words:

“My family and I used to live in the city. We heard on TV about HIV. My husband was working for the military and was becoming sick a lot so he decided to go and get tested. He found out he was positive, then I found out I had it as well. Our kids were scared to go to school because of the stigma so we decided to sell everything and move to Entoto where there is no discrimination. Everyone has HIV/AIDS there so we are all the same. I used to beg on the mountain and I stayed there for the holy water {in hopes of being cure}. My life was very bad. Begging is like being dead.  I was living in death. My husband…started to help with the Entoto Project when they first came to the mountain. He introduced me to them. I am so thankful for the opportunity {to earn income}. Once I was frustrated because the jewelry making was very complicated.  I am changed because of this program and now I am called to help other human beings.  My heart and eyes are open. Now you can go into my home and there is food there. Thinking about this makes me want to cry. I know God helped you to help me and now I am changed.”

I love this photo of me with Amleset (far left) and some of the other fun ladies in our Ethiopia partnership.  They were so shy while making the designs, but when my husband asked to take a few photos of them with the designs we created, they came alive!  This was featured in the New York Times a few years ago. It’s definitely one of my favorite memories of what it looks like when women feel empowered through design!

(Many thanks to my handsome husband, Mr. Brandon Dickerson, for these great photos!)

Austin Fashion Week

Its Austin Fashion week, and last night the historic Driskil Hotel was dripping with designers, fashionistas, and gorgeous gems for the Jewelry Showcase. We were thrilled to be able to introduce our Fall 2011 collection at such an occassion.

My dear friend Tiffany Schwedland made me a lovely tunic to wear to the event.  She’s quite a talented designer, and I’ve always wanted her to make me something.  This was the perfect occassion.  Thank you Tiffany!  I accessorized my silk top with a Raven + Lily clutch, necklace, and belt, of course!

I must say our display area looked lovely, and we seemed to have lots of buzz that evening!  Many thanks to Michelle, Jackie, Sarah, and Lauren for being incredible reps for Raven + Lily that night.  They were amazing!

My new designer friend Dean Fredrick was also showcasing that night.  He’s known as Austin’s “Bada** Jeweler”.  Our studio showrooms are in the same building on 5th street, and he designs gorgeous conflict free diamond rings and bracelets.  He and my husband are rockstars for cheering me on during my presentation.  

As my models were waiting backstage, I quickly gave them the backstory of the designs they were wearing.  They were visibly touched to know they were modeling something so special.  

We were the last company to be showcased.  I like to think of it as the “grand finale” for the event. :) I kept envisioning the Ethiopian women so I wouldn’t be too nervous.   Their beautiful creations on those beautiful models were only a glimpse of their deep beauty. What a joy to share their story!