In Kunio Takeda's necklace design, a heart centers this stylized Yalalag cross. Named after a village in Oaxaca, the original Yalalag cross fuses pre-Hispanic and Christian symbols such as crosses, feathers and hearts. "The Yalalag cross features three smaller crosses: the one on the left symbolizes the sky, the one on the right symbolizes Earth, and the one on the center represents the wind," explains Takeda. He works with sterling silver, masterfully detailing the cross with an oxidized, aged finish.
"My designs come as a fusion of aesthetics and my passion for conserving the environment. My desire is to spread the images of Mexico's natural world."
Latest Update "I have focused on the art of silver jewelry for more than 40 years, specializing mainly in giving it a...Latest Update
"I have focused on the art of silver jewelry for more than 40 years, specializing mainly in giving it a sculptural touch. I'm always looking for figures and creations that show Mexican identity, and the key for me is observation. I've managed to share my vision of Mexico in a different way and I respect traditions enormously.
"I'm very grateful to you, since you have given your understanding and respect to this beautiful fusion of Japan and Mexico. It has meant a huge and constant creative process in the observation of the details of things like alebrijes, flora and fauna."
Original Artisan Story
"I was born in Japan in 1948. When I was a child, I played with birds, I flew the kites I made, and I loved trekking in nearby mountains where I learned to fish in rivers and lakes. I've always loved being near nature. I grew up with my siblings and parents in the countryside — my parents were farmers, not artists. I joined the art club at school, and that's where my story in art begins. I was introduced to painting with watercolors, woodcut printing, and mural paintings on 7 by 15 foot walls. Though it kept me busy, I never forgot my responsibilities at home, including family activities and chores.
"After high school I took different courses to become a sculptor, and my favorite media were wood and ceramic. The first sculpture I made, 'Mother and Child,' was carved from walnut wood, and I gave to friend who was really like a patron of my work.
"I came to Mexico when I was 25 to study at the National Autonomous University of Mexico, in their National School of Fine Arts, and I furthered my studies at the National School of Design and Handicrafts. I specialize in artistic silver.
"In 1991, I was invited to be a judge at Taxco's International Silver Fair, and I've exhibited my work in different Japanese cities more than 30 times, as well as throughout Mexico.
"I've crafted jewelry since the 1970s, specializing primarily in silver, and each of my designs is crafted by hand with traditional silver techniques.
"My love of nature is my inspiration – I admire the great variety of flora and fauna that surrounds us! Traditional celebrations and fiestas from countryside villages also are a source of inspiration, for I love to transform them into landscape pieces featuring the unique sheen of silver.
"My collections include rings, pendants, earrings, bracelets, chains, buckles, brooches and sculptures. Sometimes I'll add gemstones such as turquoise, opal and jade, among others. I design and craft spoons and forks, vases and other utilitarian and artistic pieces, as well.
"I also love to read, walk in the countryside where I can also sit and paint, and prepare Mexican cuisine and beverages!
"As an artist, one of my greatest challenges came in 2002, when a friend in Los Angeles commissioned a sculpture of Buddha, completely made of silver. It measured 20 by 16 inches and took me three years to finish.
"One of the first wood sculptures I made was very erotic, it featured male genitalia, which inspired many other sculptures. From this experience I learned that my artistic creativity needs to be constantly evolving.
"To you who have come to know my designs, I would like to encourage you to wear them and show them off as landscapes and creatures that are on their way to extinction. My designs come as a fusion of aesthetics and my passion for conserving the environment. My desire is to spread the images of Mexico's natural world. And at the same time, contribute to bringing happiness to more people."
Only valid on the Normal shipping option for shipments to 48 Lower US states.
Discounted shipping price may not be applied to previous orders.
This item ships with a free artist storycard, so you can remember who you impacted today. Customized gift messages are also available with every order.
We want you to be 100% satified with your order, so if you are not completely happy with your item, you can return it within 60 days of receiving it.
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This item is available for backorder and will ship within 2 to 8 weeks. Artists love to get backorders. Placing a backorder ensures that the artisan will do their best to create and deliver your item to our local office for shipment.
Although we cannot guarantee availability, we do expect to be able to fill the order within the timeframe indicated. But sometimes life happens - special materials may not be immediately available to the artist, or there might be some other circumstance beyond our control that could delay the shipment.
If for any reason we are unable to ship the item within the timeframe indicated, we will notify you.
In the unlikely even that we are unable to ship the item within the timeframe indicated, we will contact you and provide an updated delivery window.
This item has a special shipping flat fee which means that due to bulk, duties, or other special requirements, the item will be shipped to you via one of our special one-rate services. Shipping is only available to the United States (lower 48 States only).
WOMEN
S
M
L
XL
XXL
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
22
BUST
35 - 36
37 - 38
39 - 41
42 - 44
46 - 48
WAIST
27 - 28
29 - 30
31 - 33
34 - 36
38 - 40
HIPS
37 - 38
39 - 40
42 - 43
45 - 46
49 - 50
MEN
S
M
L
XL
XXL
CHEST
36 - 38
39 - 41
42 - 44
46 - 48
50 - 52
WAIST
30 - 32
32 - 34
35 - 37
38 - 41
43 - 45
NECK
14 - 14.5
15 - 15.5
16 - 16.5
17 - 17.5
18 - 18.5
SLEEVE
32.5
33.5
34.5
35.5
36.5
FINDING YOUR SIZE
Take your measurements with the tape measure over your under garments. If your measurements fall between sizes you may prefer the next larger size. Inseam, skirt and dress lengths vary by style and will be listed in the item description. Our sweaters are knit in standard American sizes, however actual measurements vary by style.
BUST / CHEST
Measure around the fullest part of chest under the arms and over the shoulder blades keeping the tape measure level.
WAIST
Measure around the smallest part of the waist keeping the tape measure comfortably loose. Most garments use the low waist measurement noted below.
LOW WAIST
Measure around the body approximately 1.5" below the natural waist (above). This is the area where most pants and skirts actually fit.
HIPS
Standing with your heels together, measure around the fullest part of the body approx 7"-8" below the waist.
NECK
Measure around the base of the neck keeping the tape measure comfortably loose.
SLEEVE
Bend elbow slightly and starting at the center back of the neck, measure across the shoulder, to the elbow and down to the wrist.
INSEAM
Our standard inseam length for women is 32" and 34" for men; however inseam measurements will vary slightly by style.
Belts with buckles are measured in inches that correspond to a waist size however, most people do not wear belts on the waist, they wear them closer to the hips. A buckle belt measurement is take from the end of the "pin" of the buckle to the middle hole on the belt. Generally there are 5 holes for size adjustment, with a 1" space between each, so the middle hole will the be average size of the belt.
For at tie belt (no buckle) measure the belt portion end to end and half of the tie portion. This again is the medium size of the belt.
For a soft fabric tie belt it can be called "1 size fits most" and the entire length of the belt should be measured and listed.
See buckle/tie belt size standards below.
WOMEN
S
M
L
XL
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
22
inches
26 - 30
28 - 32
31 - 35
34 - 38
38 - 42
cm
76 - 86
81.5 - 91.5
86.5 - 96.5
91.5 - 101.5
96.5 - 106.5
+/- tolerance: 0.5 inches or 1.25 cm
MEN
S
M
L
XL
XXL
inches
30 - 34
32 - 36
35 - 39
39 - 43
43 - 47
cm
81.5 - 91.5
86.5 - 96.5
91.5 - 101.5
96.5 - 106.5
109 - 119
+/- tolerance: 0.5 inches or 1.25 cm
Sash tie length
Lay sash/tie out flat away from the garment and measure from end to end.
Belt with buckle
Measure from the end of the pin of the buckle (where it touches the buckle) to the middle hole.
Belt without buckle
Measure from the belt portion end to end and half of the tie portion. This is will give you the medium size of the belt.
Download our printable ring sizing chart to find the perfect fit!
We refer to these items as "discounted wholesale". Such items carry a deeper wholesale discount than other items, and have greater potential to provide your business with healthier resale margins.
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WIN # 1 You Save!
Handmade goods from developing nations usually pass through a series of intermediaries before being purchased by retail consumers. Each of these intermediaries adds cost to the product, and that cost is passed on to the customer. UNICEF USA partnered with NOVICA, who works directly with artists through their regional offices in Asia, Africa and Latin America, allowing purchases from UNICEF Market to go directly from the artisans to fulfilling customer orders. By skipping steps in the traditional supply chain, you can buy high quality items for less than the regular retail prices.
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Each item purchased from UNICEF Market will benefit UNICEF's programs that provide lifesaving nutrition, medicine, education, clean water, emergency relief and more to children in need.
You can learn more about UNICEF's work, on About UNICEF.
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