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Evolved Fashion Interviews Jaszy

BIG thank you to Evolved Fashion for the very generous interview!!

Click here to read.

I'm not there...yet.

Through the course of doing research for Modern Hippie Mag I come across so many really talented jewelry designers. Of course my interest is focused more towards eco-friendly and "green" designers, such as Green Diva. I am so very impressed with their green business ethics and gorgeous jewelry designs! I also felt a twinge of...dare I say, envy. I would love to be at a place where I could design strictly eco-friendly jewelry, but truth be told...I'm just not there yet.

When I started making jewelry back in 2002, I did not consider its environmental implications, not because I didn't care, it just wasn't on my radar. Being environmentally friendly wasn't a top priority in my life in general. I mean sure, I recycled newspaper, magazines, and stuff like that...mostly. Purchasing freshwater pearl, gemstone and glass beads became my obsession and I frequented buying shows in NY and Arizona often. The point is that I started to do my homework and educate myself about the dirty side of jewelry and its affect on the environment. It was then that I decided to make some responsible changes. Of course by then I also had enough inventory to open my own bead emporium!

Last year I made the decision to rebrand Jaszy's Jewelry as eco-conscious jewelry designs. Realizing that tossing out my "non-green" bead stash would not necessarily be environmentally friendly, I decided that I would try to incorporate at least one eco-friendly and/or Fair Trade component into every jewelry design I made. This is what I will do until I can completely phase out the "other" stuff. I also support a local chapter of Girls, Inc. by donating jewelry making supplies for their DIY craft programs. Of course items that I need to replenish are certain to come from companies that have environmental and ethical standards like obtaining recycled Sterling Silver from Hoover and Strong, a refiner with over 95 years experience in environmentally responsible refining, ethically sourced gemstones from Columbia Gem House, and Fair Trade Tagua from One World Projects. In addition, I try to donate to organizations that are at the forefront of the environmental movement, like Green America, Greenpeace and NativeEnergy. Effectively, I’m doing what I can with the resources that I have.

One day very soon creating environmentally conscious jewelry won’t be an option, it will be the standard. No one will have to question whether or not someone or the environment was harmed by its creation. When that day comes I would very much like to be considered right alongside of companies like Green Diva, but for now I’ll happily follow in their environmentally friendly footprints.

Shout out in Eco Fahion World!!

Jaszy's Jewelry got a mention in eco fashion world's eco-fashion guide!!

eco fashion world's goal is "to keep you green, gorgeous and growing with a comprehensive ecofashion finder of the greatest brands, shops and resources around the globe."

Look to eco fashion world for all the latest ecofashion news and reviews, designer q&a's, store profiles, launch updates, and interviews.

Thank you eco fashion world!

Jaszy's Jewelry on Channel 8 News with Gayle Guyardo!

It's kinda surreal to see yourself on tv and very exciting! I am thrilled that I had this opportunity and so very thankful. Yet, just as surely as the moment came my good friend SR reminded me that the work has just begun. He's right of course, but I'm gonna bask just a bit longer!

Take a gander at my interview with Gayle Guyardo!

What is "Fair Trade"?

Let me preface this post by saying that I am not an environmentalist, although I've been known to hug a few trees...What I am is a naturalist with a general focus on humanitarianism...(long word). In short, I love nature and on most days I love people. I also love designing jewelry. What does all that have to do with "Fair Trade"? For me, striving to combine my love for nature, people and jewelry led me to question how I could ensure that my endeavors would make a difference.

Fair trade is a system of exchange that seeks to create greater equity and partnership in international trading system by paying fair wages in local context, supporting participatory workplaces, ensuring environmental sustainability, supplying financial and technical support, offering public accountability, respecting cultural identity, building direct and long-term relationships, and educating consumers.

By approaching development as a whole process (rather than just a fair price), fair trade organizations cultivate partnerships with their suppliers and contribute to the development of communities. Fair trade is not about charity; it uses a fairer system of exchange to empower producers and to create sustainable, positive change, http://www.fairtradefederation.org.

I believe that by seeking out vendors who adhere to Fair Trade standards, purchasing Fair Trade and ethically sourced materials, and contributing to organizations who spearhead and support these efforts I am able to create and share my passion with a clear conscience.

be well, be positive, be present...

Jaszy

Celebrate Mom!

What better way to celebrate Mom and honor Mother Earth than with a gift of eco-conscious jewelry!!

All jewelry now 40% Off and if that isn't enough to tempt you...for a limited time enjoy a free gift with your purchase!

Necklaces, earrings and bracelets made with Fair Trade Gems, reclaimed Sterling Silver, Fair Trade Tagua and more!

Visit http://www.jaszyjewelry.etsy.com.

For all she does, Mom deserves a special gift...give her one that gives back! A percentage of all sales benefit The Nature Conservatory.