Iridescent green beads of crystal adorn these pretty dangle earrings from Alejandra Torres in Mexico. The artisan crafts the earrings from crocheted golden thread and accents them with the faceted crystals. The earrings swing from 18k gold plated brass hooks.
"What I like the most about making jewelry is that I am happy! I am impassioned about what I do, and I can balance family life with work."
Latest Update"I feel very happy and content because I have been able to do what I love, without missing those moments...Latest Update
"I feel very happy and content because I have been able to do what I love, without missing those moments with my family. I've been able to grow and develop personally, and I feel very grateful that you value my work. In addition, it's amazing to think that there is someone in another part of the world who likes what you do.
"I remember the first designs I created for you. What I remember most is not having proper procedures for developing them. Now, with the help of my assistants, we create technical specification sheets for each design in order to be able to guarantee jewelry of total quality.
"I began to design with the main objective of telling a story through each one. My technique was professionalized and I learned to work under international quality standards. This also allowed me to control the inventory and pay more attention to detail.
"Now I feel more confident than ever because you've been there for me since I started. Also, year after year my sales have increased. During the last three years with you, my sales have doubled.
"One change I've made, which I didn't have before, is that now I have established an area for packaging and an area of photography for our jewelry. My oldest son already works with me and looks after the digital marketing, and I have standardized processes in my workshop to achieve the quality that you require.
"My biggest goal right now is to create a process and methods to make jewelry from home, so that more women can work from their homes and, like me, enjoy their families. At the same time, I want to share with them the happiness of doing something they enjoy that helps their family finances."
Original Artisan Story
"When I was a little girl, I loved going with grandpa as he worked in the fields of Guanajuato, because he always had great stories to tell. He would ask me what I wanted to do when I grew up, and that question inspired me to dream.
"I liked selling. I enjoyed going to the market with him to sell what he harvested, and I also loved going with mom after school to sell clothes. That's how she contributed to the family's income. So I knew that when I grew up, I wanted to go to university even though my mother's family believed women were not supposed to study. My father's family, on the other hand, did support my decision.
"Dad said that I could go to university as long as I found a way to pay for it, because he couldn't afford it. He only had enough to pay for transportation there and back.
"I found a part-time job during the week and, at the weekends, I worked at my maternal grandparents' shop so I could pay tuition at Celaya's Technology Institute where I studied industrial engineering. I was also fortunate to count on the support of two uncles, who chipped in when I was in need.
"I was lucky to meet the man who was to be my husband when I was studying. I graduated after getting married, and then I went on to study for a Master's degree in business administration. I was working in Silao when my husband gave me the news he was being transferred to Mexico City, and I found out I was pregnant with our second child. I was in the middle of a project at work, so he went first and, when the project was finished, I asked to be transferred too. But my request was denied so I decided to quit so I could rejoin my husband.
"The transition was very difficult for me, I wasn't used to being a full-time mom staying at home. My children are very creative and, one day, my eldest son asked to make a treasure trunk just like he had seen on the TV, so we got all the materials and had fun making it. My daughter then noticed there couldn't be a treasure trunk without a treasure, so out we went again to get some beads, sequins and foam and had fun making jewelry and crowns. Obviously, my daughter kept the treasure!
"Then my husband got transferred again, to the city of Toluca, and I decided to look for a job as it seemed a quieter and calmer place to live. I found a school that adapted to working moms' schedules. I got a good job in a good company, but now my children were crying because they missed having me around, so I decided to quit and start my own venture. I invested my severance pay in children's toys and educational materials to sell, but I kept thinking of the 'treasure' we had made….
"I bought some quality materials and I made 40 bracelets, which I sold within a week. I had started teaching at Toluca's Regional Tech while still making jewelry and everyone loved my designs so much that I ended up dedicating all of my time to making jewelry. Timing was perfect too – my husband got transferred back to Guanajuato.
"What I like the most about making jewelry is that I am happy! I'm passionate about what I do, and I can balance family life with work. My jewelry is completely crafted by hand, and some of my designs are knitted by hand, too. My jewelry is classic and elegant, intended for the woman who is in charge of her life, who likes challenges and is impassioned about life.
"My inspiration comes from life itself, as we are part of it. When I design, I imagine women wearing my creations, what they are like, and what they might project by wearing my designs — self-assurance, love, dynamism, passion.
"I know that we will often have small or big challenges we must face, but the one I am proudest of is finishing my studies and deciding to be happy. The first time I resigned from my job I was unhappy and dissatisfied with my lot – I thought of everything I had worked for and sacrificed to finish my studies and felt I couldn't develop professionally. Then I lost my best friend and I realized life is too valuable to not make the most of it. I realized we must strive for happiness and truly enjoy all that surrounds us.
"I give thanks to God for letting me find a job that enables me to keep a sense of balance in my life. I'm finally happy with life and with my family.
"I am grateful there are people who value the work of artisans, and hope they are happy when they receive a piece of art, because each piece carries with it a history, and is the work of people full of dreams and eager to work to build a more satisfying environment.
"I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you all of you, for this is only the first of many dreams I know will come true."
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.
We pack, ship, certify and 100% guarantee the quality of this item. Watch this video to see how.
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.
Turn your gift-giving into an art form with our new premium gift wrapping service!
Delivering a beautiful handmade treasure, wrapped by hand in exquisite packaging will make your gifts truly unforgettable.
Above all, it's EASY! Just select the premium gift wrapping option during checkout and we do the rest. No more last minute worries about presentation - your gifts will be the best dressed every time!
Most premium gift wrap is only $3.95 - $5.95 per item.
UNICEF Market offers triple win pricing, where YOU the consumer, Children from around the world, and Artisans all benefit.
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.
WIN # 2 Children Benefit!
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.
WIN # 3 Artisans Profit!
UNICEF Market artisans set their own prices and control their own businesses. UNICEF Market offers artisans a free platform to sell their work throughout the United States.
