www.nikayahandcrafted.com

This week we are proud to announce that we have launched Nikaya www.nikayahandcrafted.com . It is a retail site featuring hand made products from Cambodia, including, jewelry, scarves, pillow cases and handbags. This project has been in the works quite a while. It developed from Andrea and Brandon’s wanderings through the markets in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh, and their desire to share the products with a wider audience. If you know Andrea or Brandon, you will certainly understand that a thought that goes through their minds is not easily forgotten and they tend to find ways to make it a reality (for example – Journeys Within B &B, Journeys Within Tour Company, Journeys Within Our Community and of course, the Alligator Farm!!).

 

They soon found Alex Adel, a brilliant creative director who’s past experience was as a Peace Corps volunteer helping teens and mothers with HIV support themselves and their family through craft projects – Alex was a perfect fit. He shares the heart and passion of both Andrea and Brandon, and has the creative experience to develop incredibly beautiful pieces. Andrea and Alex had the opportunity to meet with many incredible craftspeople in Cambodia to design and order the products you see on sale today. Each of our products have amazing stories – our brass jewelry is made from old shell casings and our silk scarves are all sewn by hand by individual artisans.

 

While in California, Andrea would share the product designs with me. “Do you like this color? Which bag do you like the best?” My interest in the project sparked and I hoped to one day help. Soon after my family and I traveled to Cambodia for the first time and my eyes were opened. My eyes were opened to more than the poverty in Cambodia, they were opened by peoples’ the desire and willingness to work to create positive change in the community. This was a community filled with hope, working hard to bring the best of life to their families. It was truly an inspiring visit, and I knew that Nikaya would be a great outlet for these artisans. Soon my input on which purse I liked the best, moved on to a desire to be much more involved in this project.

 

What I love more than the products themselves is the heart behind the purchase of the products.  We are currently working on getting fair trade certified and 10% of each items profit will be going back to Journeys Within Our Community (www.journeyswithinourcommunity.org) so we can continue to work on giving the community opprotunities to empower themselves and break out of the poverty they are currently living in. We also have some items that have 100% of the profit going back to JWOC, our Community Necklace and Bracelet which are each have the word “community” stamped on them in Khmer language. As you will see on the Giving Back page, we have included some of our grass roots projects: a water well, a microloan, a scholarship student or supporting a classroom. We are hoping that shoppers will give unique gifts by combining one of our products with one of these Giving Back options.

 

Now, I must take the chance to rave about the products we have at Nikaya. While I love all the products, what they represent and their unique beauty, there are a few products that I LOVE and with the outlet of blogging I would like to share them with you.  Andrea said that I should take pictures of me with my favorite products – but I’m a bit camera shy (shocking, I know.) So, I’ve added some pictures that we have from our website.

 

The Red Romance Scarf –

 

Living in Lake Tahoe, a scarf is an everyday neccesity. This scarf brings color and sophistication to any outfit. I seriously wear this everyday.

 

 

 

The Community Pendant and Bracelet –

 

I love simplicity, so these pieces are right up my alley. These pieces look beautiful together and I love what they represent. I do laugh and call them my “Best Friends” pieces. I have given them to all my best friends so we can match J But hey, when you are all matching for a good cause, what’s wrong with that?

 

The Buddha Clutch –

 

This was the first product I saw live in person from the Nikaya line, and it remains one of my all time favorites. It’s totally unique, stylish, yet it still has all the pockets and space to put everything you need to go out. Also, it’s small enough that you can keep your ID and cards in it, and then throw the whole clutch into your bigger purse – no switching wallets needed (efficiency is always a big plus for me!)

 

 

The Neary Scarf –

 

What I love about these scarves is their versitility. Andrea loves to wear them around her neck to add color to her outfit. I love to wear them as a head scarf – just tie it in the back and it keeps your hair out of your face and looks super cute at the same time. And on occasion I wear it as a belt. They are the perfect length and width to get creative with and bring something different to an old fit.

 

 

Hot Asian Nights –

 

With the name “Hot Asian Nights” how could you not like it?  I am a big fan of pillow covers, and changing up the look of a room by simply changing the pillows. I like the way the rich red color of these pillow makes the living room pop. If you want to really have some fun – you can take the red romace scarf and use it as a table runner to coordinate with the red pillows. Put a log in the fire and the warm glow will mix perfectly with the red coordinates, add in a peppermint hot cocoa and you are all set!

 

 

 

We look forward to Nikaya’s growth and success and appreciate all of your support. … Read more »