A portion of our profits have always gone to several different charities. This year we're proud to support the Kiva Microlending general operating fund, as well as being a "loaner."
At the moment we're lending funds to Victor, who is a member of the Confianza Village Bank in Peru. Victor and his brothers own a workshop where they make weavings on a loom. They then sell their weavings in a local market. Victor has been working as an artisan for 14 years and his loan is to buy wool and dyes for his weavings, as well as to buy new heddles for his looms. Victor's goal for the future is to export his work. He may be able to do this through FINCA Peru Exports, a branch of FINCA that works with artisans to sell their work internationally.
From time to time we'll update you about Victor, as well as other loan recipiants your purchases from World Peace Jewelry help to fund.
Care to join us? Read more about Kiva.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Monday, December 8, 2008
Holiday Sale Now in Progress
Don't miss this great sale on perfect holiday gifts! Click here to receive 10% off your purchase - including sale items - plus free shipping!
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Sunday, November 16, 2008
New Peace Symbol Charms
Good news for those of you who love my vintage peace symbol charms and pendants... but would like to spend not quite so much! Since I'm running out of my vintage ones, I've been searching for more or a good substitute. I think I've found them in these no-lead pewter silver and gold charms. So far I've just made some earrings with them and I do think they make a stylish alternative to the vintage brass and silver. Take a look and see what you think.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Veteran's Day
November 11 is Veteran's Day!
Thank God for all those patriots who have sacrificed for our country!
I happen to believe that peace is patriotic... and so is wearing your values!
Monday, October 20, 2008
New Bracelets
October 24 is United Nations Day.
Many gemstones available in vintage brass and silver. My little hoard of vintage peace charms is about gone... so get them while you can!
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Poverty
When I told my husband I'd decided to participate in Change.org's Blog Action Day, he asked: "Are you for it or against it?" He already knew the answer - I'm against it. I'm against all kinds of poverty - poverty of morals, poverty of ideas, poverty of information and education - one could make a case for all kinds of poverty.
Wikipedia's definition of poverty:
Poverty is deprivation, the denial of access to those things which make a life of dignity possible, including not only food, shelter and safe drinking water, but also such as 'intangibles' as the opportunity to learn, to engage in meaningful employment or to enjoy the respect of one's fellow citizens.
As someone who's worked both professionally and as a volunteer in the not-for-profit sector... and as someone who now lives in rural Missouri, I feel like I could write a multi-volume book on the subject. To your vast relief, I won't.
What I will say is that while Lehman Brothers were partying at their fancy resort, three more factories here laid off their third shift employees and cut the rest to part time.
While our elected officials voted for an over 800 billion dollar Wall Street bailout, our local newspaper noted that the local food pantries are empty.
While my Democratic Congress member was assuring me that he had to vote for the "economic rescue bill," the local Share Your Christmas organization announced that their funding was half what's it's been in previous years.
While another day has passed with another few billion dollars spent in Iraq, local reserve members are serving their third tours of duty while their wives try to keep body and soul together for their children.
This summer I was aware of more than one family living under a bridge or camping out somewhere in the countryside. What will happen now that the weather is changing? Forget about Christmas presents, how about shoes, clothes and food for those children?
According to the World Encyclopedia close to 12.8 percent of all Americans, about 31.5 million people, are classified as poor by federal standards; that is, they sustained an income of $12,675 or less for a family of four. Given the state of our economy, that figure is bound to increase this year. Could you raise two children on that income? Even living in a midwest community with a very low standard of living, I couldn't.
Throughout the years Americans have shown time and time again how generous they are in contributing to causes in the world... especially to third world countries... as individuals and through our government. As I watch the evening newscasts and read the news on the web, I've come to realize that America is approaching third world standards of living. We're becoming a poor nation where it is becoming increasingly difficult to live with dignity. We're beginning to see and feel the effects of a poverty of action, ideas and moral values.
Wikipedia's definition of poverty:
Poverty is deprivation, the denial of access to those things which make a life of dignity possible, including not only food, shelter and safe drinking water, but also such as 'intangibles' as the opportunity to learn, to engage in meaningful employment or to enjoy the respect of one's fellow citizens.
As someone who's worked both professionally and as a volunteer in the not-for-profit sector... and as someone who now lives in rural Missouri, I feel like I could write a multi-volume book on the subject. To your vast relief, I won't.
What I will say is that while Lehman Brothers were partying at their fancy resort, three more factories here laid off their third shift employees and cut the rest to part time.
While our elected officials voted for an over 800 billion dollar Wall Street bailout, our local newspaper noted that the local food pantries are empty.
While my Democratic Congress member was assuring me that he had to vote for the "economic rescue bill," the local Share Your Christmas organization announced that their funding was half what's it's been in previous years.
While another day has passed with another few billion dollars spent in Iraq, local reserve members are serving their third tours of duty while their wives try to keep body and soul together for their children.
This summer I was aware of more than one family living under a bridge or camping out somewhere in the countryside. What will happen now that the weather is changing? Forget about Christmas presents, how about shoes, clothes and food for those children?
According to the World Encyclopedia close to 12.8 percent of all Americans, about 31.5 million people, are classified as poor by federal standards; that is, they sustained an income of $12,675 or less for a family of four. Given the state of our economy, that figure is bound to increase this year. Could you raise two children on that income? Even living in a midwest community with a very low standard of living, I couldn't.
Throughout the years Americans have shown time and time again how generous they are in contributing to causes in the world... especially to third world countries... as individuals and through our government. As I watch the evening newscasts and read the news on the web, I've come to realize that America is approaching third world standards of living. We're becoming a poor nation where it is becoming increasingly difficult to live with dignity. We're beginning to see and feel the effects of a poverty of action, ideas and moral values.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Women's Equality Day
I myself have never been able to find out precisely what feminism is. I only know that people call me a feminist whenever I express sentiments that differentiate me from a door mat or a prostitute. ~Rebecca West Novemver 14, 1913
August 26 of each year is designated in the United States as Women's Equality Day. Instituted by Rep. Bella Abzug and first established in 1971, the date commemorates the passage of the 19th Amendment, the Woman Suffrage Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which gave U.S. women full voting rights in 1920
August 26 of each year is designated in the United States as Women's Equality Day. Instituted by Rep. Bella Abzug and first established in 1971, the date commemorates the passage of the 19th Amendment, the Woman Suffrage Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which gave U.S. women full voting rights in 1920
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Happy Independence Day!
My God! How little do my countrymen know what precious blessings they are in possession of, and which no other people on earth enjoy! ~Thomas Jefferson
My all time favorite 4th of July was spent at Poplar Forest, Thomas Jefferson's summer home. Second favorite? Spent at Patrick Henry's plantation home. Both occasions when the pipes and drums played ... and cannons fired... it gave me such a thrill to think of my ancestors who fought for the liberty of America.
Though it saddens me to think of the liberties we've lost since then, the birth of our country is good time to celebrate freedom and work for peace, don't you think?
Happy 4th of July!
Patriotic Peace Jewelry is now on Sale at World Peace Jewelry
Monday, May 12, 2008
Wear Purple for Peace Day
Wear Purple for Peace Day is May 16.
Select items are on Sale
I've found two explanations for Wear Purple for Peace Day. The first is rather simple and fairly self-explanatory: to encourage peace throughout the world and show your personal support for world peace.
The other is... interesting ... to say the least! According to Holiday Insights, some folks believe that aliens from outer space consider earthlings to be too hostile. As a result, aliens have yet to make contact with us. So we should wear purple for peace in order to make the world a more peaceful place and encourage aliens to visit!
I guess the bottom line for me is that wearing purple for peace one day a year can't hurt (even though I'm not much interested in encouraging alien contact)!
Friday, May 2, 2008
World Press Freedom Day - May 3
The peculiar evil of silencing the expression of an opinion is, that it is robbing the human race; posterity as well as the existing generation; those who dissent from the opinion, still more than those who hold it. If the opinion is right, they are deprived of the opportunity of exchanging error for truth; if wrong, they lose, what is almost as great a benefit, the clearer perception and livelier impression of truth, produced by its colision with error.
~John Stuart Mill, On Liberty, 1859
Throughout the world, 3 May serves as an occasion to inform the public of violations of the right to freedom of expression and as a reminder that many journalists brave death or jail to bring people their daily news.
In dozens of countries around the world, journalists, editors and publishers are murdered, assaulted, detained and harassed simply for telling the truth. Their publications are censored, fined, suspended and closed down for daring to voice opinions contrary to those of their governments. World Press Freedom Day exists to recognise the sacrifices made in the struggle for freedom of the press and to put pressure on governments that continue to deny their citizens this basic human right. The 3 May message is that journalists everywhere must be granted the right to report freely and without fear.
The date marks the anniversary of the Declaration of Windhoek, a statement of principles drawn up by African journalists in 1991, calling for a free, independent and pluralistic media on that continent and throughout the world. The Declaration afirms that a free press is essential to the existence of democracy and a fundamental human goal. The Declaration is a milestone in the struggle for a free press in all regions of the world.
At a time when human rights and democratic development hang in the balance in so many countries, no one can be complacent. 3 May is the day on which the media can remind governments and the public of the importance of freedom of the press and of how the gobal battle to attain it, continues.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Earth Day is April 22
"Let every individual and institution now think and act as a responsible trustee of Earth, seeking choices in ecology, economics and ethics that will provide a sustainable future, eliminate pollution, poverty and violence, awaken the wonder of life and foster peaceful progress in the human adventure."
~John McConnell, founder of International Earth Day
Visit World Peace Jewelry for special discounts on bracelets, earrings and necklaces in celebration of planet earth and Earth Day.
~John McConnell, founder of International Earth Day
Visit World Peace Jewelry for special discounts on bracelets, earrings and necklaces in celebration of planet earth and Earth Day.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
The World According to Monsanto
On March 11 a new documentary was aired on French television (ARTE - French-German cultural tv channel) by French journalist and film maker Marie-Monique Robin, The World According to Monsanto - A documentary that Americans won't ever see. The gigantic biotech corporation Monsanto is threatening to destroy the agricultural biodiversity which has served mankind for thousands of years. As you watch remember that these are the same people insisting that GMO products have nothing to do with the honeybee die-off.
May 26, 2008 update: Monsanto's lawyers have begun lawsuits (or threatening lawsuits) to those websites which show this video. Unfortunately the link I provided no longer works and I am unaware of a replacement.
May 26, 2008 update: Monsanto's lawyers have begun lawsuits (or threatening lawsuits) to those websites which show this video. Unfortunately the link I provided no longer works and I am unaware of a replacement.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Plight of the Honeybee
Though the connection to world peace can be debated... this certainly does impact our world. In the past 2 years, nearly one third of the US honeybees have vanished. We rely on them to pollinate our crops and wonder if they might be a version of the canary in a coal mine. The cause of colony collapse? Pesticides, dwindling food supply, and a virus tht target bees' immune system.
We agree with Burt's Bees cofounder, Burt Shavitz who says "The bees' survival depends on how we manage and protect our world." Click here for a free packet of bee-friendly flower seeds you can plant in your yard to provide a source of food for our favorite pollinators.
We recently read that every third bite of food we eat has been pollinated by a honeybee. Can we afford to lose our fruit, berries, nuts, and more? Here at home we garden organically and shop for food that is homegrown. We avoid genetically modified food (frankenfood) at all times.
We agree with Burt's Bees cofounder, Burt Shavitz who says "The bees' survival depends on how we manage and protect our world." Click here for a free packet of bee-friendly flower seeds you can plant in your yard to provide a source of food for our favorite pollinators.
We recently read that every third bite of food we eat has been pollinated by a honeybee. Can we afford to lose our fruit, berries, nuts, and more? Here at home we garden organically and shop for food that is homegrown. We avoid genetically modified food (frankenfood) at all times.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
The Spirit of My Jewelry
I am passionate about many things. This includes my work - in that through my jewelry our values may be worn and subtle (and sometimes not so subtle) messages can be conveyed. The following quotation keeps me focused and centered... and inspired. It feels right to begin this blog with...
There are people who will try to tell you that love is a luxury and that life in all its miraculous beauty is less urgent right now than the need to retaliate against the forces of evil. I am here to tell you that unless we respond with love, we will certainly hand evil its great and final victory. Go out, right now, and plant yourself in the middle of that which you love most - the thing within you that is most alive. Now listen carefully, because as that love cracks your heart open, it will tell you exactly what this broken world needs from you. This is your holy work, and it cannot wait. Make it big this time. Make it so. ~ Yael Lachman
There are people who will try to tell you that love is a luxury and that life in all its miraculous beauty is less urgent right now than the need to retaliate against the forces of evil. I am here to tell you that unless we respond with love, we will certainly hand evil its great and final victory. Go out, right now, and plant yourself in the middle of that which you love most - the thing within you that is most alive. Now listen carefully, because as that love cracks your heart open, it will tell you exactly what this broken world needs from you. This is your holy work, and it cannot wait. Make it big this time. Make it so. ~ Yael Lachman
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