AC Artistry (100th AC Blog post!)

AC origins: Olga's merchandise for her stand at the marketplace when AC first began working with her family in 2008.

As I have been watching Andean Collection grow over the past few years, I am struck by the unique combination of hard work and creative fervor with which all the women involved in AC approach their work. This pulsing creativity isn't just the new sustainable business approach or a keen ability to continue expanding an eco-fashion jewelry company with an ethical model, which they do very well. In addition, there is also a very genuine artistry shared by every woman who works in New York and every artisan in Ecuador, which adds another important layer to the cross-cultural interactions that produce such stunning pieces of jewelry.

As a kid Amanda loved to make jewelry, and my similar history inventing bead creations contributed to my exhilaration with the new materials used and the sheer fun it was to arrange such vibrant beads in new ways with the artisans. This pattern of invention continues and evolves every time the team makes a trip to Ecuador. Jess dives headfirst into the design process, sharing notes and ideas and adapting models to make them a reality. Bria can tell you about the entire spectrum of colors chosen for each season's palette and how they interact, speak, and assert themselves. Luz has creative solutions ever-ready for flawless artistic implementation.

This expressive aspect of the company has not been showcased in great detail, yet it deserves mention. Not only is AC fashion-forward, eco-friendly, and ethical, but a shared creative drive amongst the AC team adds a dimension of deep appreciation for the craftsmanship in beading and a connection to this historic talent. This conviction unites our artisans and our New York team of women who not only recognize the tradition and beauty in what the artisans produce, but also participate in the creation process with enthusiasm.

I dedicate our 100th post to you all, our readers; thanks for staying with us as we continue our creative journey!

Small Changes that have a Big Impact

It is funny how sometimes it takes the littlest thing to make life so much easier.

Recently the lead artisans and I went to visit Doña Gladys, the women who dyes the seeds for our collection. Nancy, one of the lead artisans was having a difficult time communicating our new seasons colours to Doña Gladys. As we know, life in Ecuador is not always as organized as it is in the states and old colors were often getting confused with new colors.

We needed a way to communicate consistently and effectively about colours.

The idea quickly hit us as we thought about the need for a visual reference that could not be mistaken for anything else. Make a sample sticky-board that could be hung up in view. Between the artisans and myself we figured out how best to do this:

- Recycled cardboard box carton backing.

- Samples hung on thin pieces of thread.

- Label written under each sample with details of type, colour, etc.

And voila! problem solved. It works so well in fact that Nancy, Olga and I have decided to do the same at home! Next seasons colours are coming out great, now that we are all organized and ready for the spring!

Mattress and a Car

At the AC, it's been a crazy week here. There's some incredible developments happening, which we'll share with you soon! So while change is definitely upon us here in NYC, change is progressing at an even more rapid rate in Ecuador.

I arrived to the house of lead artisan Olga & Cesar, and saw...

A CARPORT!

For their CAR. (When we arrived Cesar was in town with the car, and I somehow missed a photo of it! Ah!) Keep in mind that this was a couple who would often be forced to forgo meals to feed their children just three years ago. It's all the more incredible because when I asked Olga what was new over the past few months (months, not years), she told me in the same sentence that they bought a mattress (forever before sleeping on straw mats) and a car. Personally I think Olga was more impressed by the mattress, which had become a real symbol of success for her.

Lead artisan, Olga Moran

I remember one of our first walks through the town, about a week after I met Olga in 2008. She was quiet for awhile and I asked her what she was thinking about. She responded...Amanda, can I ask you something? Sure, I said. Do you sleep on a mattress? I told her did, to which she replied, do you like it? I said that I do but that I'm used to it and once you get used to something, you don't think about it too much. Olga told me she was used to sleeping on her mat and didn't think she'd like a mattress. Now I think what she really meant is that she never thought she'd get one. Her semi obsession with mattresses was always a topic of conversation between ourselves. Each time I came to town she'd ask if my hotel had a mattress. I'd always let her try it out, to which she'd respond "I don't know if I like that".

Now, 2 years since I met Olga she not only has a mattress, but a car. She also has 10 employees which are on the same track to prosperity as Olga is. I have so many stories that I can't wait to share with you similar to this one. Please come back to our blog often to get the full picture of how your support of Andean Collection is transforming communities in Ecuador.

A washing station, also a new addition to Olga's house, allowing for more sanitary conditions

Andean Collection Families

Lead Tagua Artisans Viviana and Christian with their two Daughters

One of my favorite parts about going down to Ecuador is getting to know the Artisans and their families. Since the design workshops are in the Artisan's homes we get to experience family life while we're working (I love this)! For instance, in the middle of the day we have a big family lunch where the children, neighbors and cousins come join us to eat. At the end of the day after designing, the kids finally get our undivided attention and demand that their photos be taken! We have had many photo shoots with the little ones around their neighborhoods. It's a blast!

This little one loves posing for the camera

One of my favorite "family" memories from this past trip was when our Lead Tagua Artisan Christian asked his two daughters to pull out their water colors and help him mix colors. We were looking for a certain shade of brown for our bracelets and he worked with his daughter to make different hues of brown using their water colors. It was awesome. I love our family in Ecuador.

La Cleta - my favorite Quito hang out

So there's a lot to talk about from our trip to Ecuador last week, but I'd like to focus on one place that struck a particular visual nerve: La Cleta! La Cleta is a new bar in Quito - or shall I say, new "bicicafebar" -- a café/bar whose decor is all about bicycles! And I mean, every aspect of the decor -- from the lighting to the tables and chairs to the barstools to the mural wall art. AMAZING! Check it out!

One wall is covered with a playful composition of bike silhouettes

This chair (and table in the foreground) is made of recycled bicycle wheels and spokes

How awesome is this light fixture, created from recycled bike pedals and bike chain?? Each light fixture is a completely unique design using recycled bike cogs, chain and pedals.

See the mini bike hanging in the corner? Each piece of framed artwork is a print of a different vintage bike poster.

More amazing graffiti artwork on the walls of bicyclists and their bikes...
Not to mention co-owner José behind the bar!

The AC ladies all together at La Cleta! (From left to right: Bria, Amanda, me, Luz and Sarah)

Guest post from Attie

We're thrilled to welcome Attie James to our AC team. Below is a guest post about what she's been up to. Thanks, Attie!

Working at the Andean Collection for just over a month, I was thrilled to be welcomed so enthusiastically aboard such a proactive and savvy team of young women. Working on the Sales and Marketing side of things I have been able to get friendly with the trade shows and Pop-Up shops here in New York City. Up to my elbows in gorgeous jewelry, I still don't know which piece I like best! I love stacking my wrists with Tagua bracelets and layering necklaces such as the Açaí rope necklace with the Açaí wrap choker! Customers love poking into our booth and looking around, awed by the vibrant colors and smooth textures of the seeds. The jewelry really speaks for itself, but customers love hearing the story. Usually assuming the product must be some sort of plastic or wood, many people become quite excited to find out that the beads are all made from seeds and the smooth natural texture is totally non-synthetic. The crowds at the Pop-Up shop are showing a special interest in the jewelry with chain accents. We are thus on the hunt for recycled and affordable chain in order to enhance the collection. With lots of trade shows before us in the upcoming months, I am also busy with applications to ensure our spot.

 

I am a senior at Barnard College, majoring in Art History with a Visual Arts concentration. I have been making jewelry for many years, but the Andean Collection offers an extra appeal for its style and ethical value. Working mostly with painting as my medium in my own artwork, I am very inspired by the colors and patterns of the jewelry and deeply admire the thoughtful collaboration of designers. The line offers a wonderful melding of high fashion and authentic Ecuadorian designs, lending itself to an extremely diverse buyer base. Though I have never ventured to South America, I have always been drawn to its beautiful landscape and artistic culture. A close friend of mine came back from Beunos Aires raving about the artisan fairs where vendors would come from all over Buenos Aires, including the rural peripheral areas, to sell their handmade crafts. She even brought me back a gift from a vendor who was making the jewelry right in front of her, and I wear the earrings all the time!

South American mining (lessons from Chile's San José experience)

As we wait for more news from our hard-working team in Ecuador, I wanted to give you an update on the Peruvian mining research I did and also link some of the challenges I encountered to the current events unfolding in Chile.

Photo courtesy of AP.

You've probably heard mention of the Chilean miners trapped half a mile underground for the past two months. Just in case, though, here's the quick summary: after 17 days without any knowledge of whether the men were alive or killed in the mine's collapse, all 33 were discovered safe, albeit hungry, in the shelter. Since then, food, medication, and entertainment has been sent down to help the men survive the long weeks awaiting their rescue. Three teams with different techniques for drilling through the solid rock raced to reach the miners' depth. Finally, this Wednesday the miners will begin to reach the surface one by one.

I left Chile the day the miners were found to be alive, with their famous note: "We are safe in the shelter, all 33" reaching the public only hours before my plane took off. The miracle that has united an entire country around their cause has not lost popularity since that afternoon when horns honked joyously along the highway, from what my Chilean friends report. The nightly news talks of little else, exposing every minute detail of their lives and families to the media; they truly have been made national celebrities.

Hopefully, though, when the international media departs from Camp Hope and Chilean life regains a more normal pace, the lessons of the San José mine will not be lost in Chile and elsewhere in Latin America. As this article mentions, it should not be forgotten that the men have been trapped for so long because of sub par security standards and the lack of an emergency escape tunnel. In my reading about Peruvian mines, similar concerns seem to be even more present than in Chile, which as a country with a stronger economy and better infrastructure definitely has better safety measures than many mines in Peru. Many sources cited how the Peruvian government has relaxed governmental intervention in mining to encourage foreign investment. Let us hope that international pressure will recognize this Chilean rescue as a huge success for international teamwork, but also as regional challenge for corporate social responsibility with heightened environmental and safety standards in mines of all sizes.

Straight from the Andes...Creating the Tagua Bib

Ecuador: nearly a coup d'etat?

The face off: a civilian protester against the protesting police

Everyone, be it punk or an office worker, with a single cause

It was touch and go...the police fired tear gas at the President of the Republic...he was rushed to the nearest hospital where he was then held hostage, with no one being allowed to enter or leave the building.

This type of situation had happened before in the past...and usually ended with a military leader being put at the head of a 'temporary' government. No, this wouldn't have been the first time that Ecuador has turned into a police state overnight.

No....something smelled of sticky fingers working behind the scenes here....and the people of Ecuador knew it.

And so they took to the streets....they took to the streets either to support their President, or whilst maybe not being too keen on the President certainly being willing to fight against a right-wing backed police takeover of the country (as was the case for many of our friends). Hence we see photos of old age pensioners facing armed police guards, of middle class men sharing a make-shift shield with rebellious punks. Because everyone had a single cause that day; not to let the state fall into another military regime.

And so yes....it was touch and go. Finally the army chose to support Correa and not its counterparts in the police. But it could have easily turned the other way.

But perhaps the most daunting thing is not the protest, the tear gas, the President held hostage...but more the abrupt return to 'peace'. The next day everyone walks the streets of Quito as if nothing had occurred. Work opens, shopping abounds, taxis and buses whiz around, even the police are back on the beat...

....ah....but then so are the military, who have been despatched to ensure that the 'peace' is kept

...and underneath the veil of normality if you listen closely, you can hear the growl...the rumble of discontentment...

....of civilians who can now not trust the police force to do their job,

....of the police who think it's time for the military traitors to return to their barracks,

....of the soldiers who remember their comrade who died in the rescue mission of the President at the hands of the protesting policemen.

Yes, underneath it all Ecuador is a volatile country. It is sometimes easy to forget this when working in the mountains or near the coast with our artisan colleagues.

It must be remembered that the people the Andean Collection is working with have forged a livelihood in the face of poverty, injustice and a high level of instability, which we in the West would not even begin to comprehend.

It makes it all the more incredible to work with such a resilient and yet unbelievably creative crowd.

Friends of the AC Support Correa

Things seem to have settled down a bit in Ecuador today. And one of the AC's friends from Quito, Cristian, is featured on the NY Times.com showing support for President Correa!! He's protesting against the police protests - so an anti protest of sorts. President Correa is much liked by our artisans and indigenous peoples in Ecuador because of his dedication to increasing the country's social services such as health care and welfare.

Cristian is below on the far right wearing the awesome green googles (for protection from tear gas). He's also an avid cyclist, hence the rolled up pants. Congrats for the global coverage Cristian!