american nomad fall/winter 2015

www.shopamericannomad.com

FALL/WINTER 2015


GEO PLUSH TOWEL | $195handmade in Turkey


We understand when it comes to shopping your choices are endless. But, not all stores embrace the spirit, quality and authenticity as AMERICAN NOMAD. Each item we curate is handmade by artisans working at cooperatives around the globe as they strive to rise above poverty, fight discrimination, gain an education and preserve their cultural traditions.

We are so excited this season to introduce you to new artists from Kyrgyzstan, Turkey, Malawi, Nairobi and the United States. This Fall also marks the inaugural season of the AMERICAN NOMAD Artisan Collection. This is a collection of items handcrafted by artists working to preserve art forms such as weaving, screen printing and felting. They have taken the leap from daily grind workers to creative entrepreneurs and we’re honored to support their mindful endeavors.

Every Item Has a Story. Every Artist Has a Voice.


Meet the Maker: CUTTALOSSA

LINEN

TOW

EL |

$65

The babble of Cuttalossa creek rustles through the trees as you make your way down a path and cross a stone bridge. Under a canopy of trees is where you can find Cuttalossa owner Shannon Retseck stealing a minute to herself between long hauls to and from the farms she works at daily.

Her company’s namesake creek is a constant source of inspiration for Shannon. Much like the tiny creek that has historically connected goods from the surrounding regions to Philadelphia by way of emptying into the vast Delaware River, Shannon herself is a connector. Working with local farms to source heirloom textiles and weaving artisans in Turkey, Shannon is the home goods version of the farm-to-table movement.All CUTTALOSSA products are made of 100% natural fibers and dyes and consciously craftedfor every day use.


ALPACA THROW | $190handmade in USA


KANTHA THROWS & CUSHIONS$59 - $199

handmade in BANGLADESH

GREEN RAMA PILLOWS $65 | handmade in the PHILIPPINES

CHUNKY KNIT THROW & CUSHION $58 | handmade in BANGLADESH


Meet the Maker: BASHA

One woman’s seemingly insignificant desire to help the impoverished women of Bangladesh was the beginning of Basha Boutique. Robin Seyfert, founder of Basha, began her journey in 2006 when she moved to Bangladesh to help foster an HIV awareness-training program. Their efforts quickly expanded to include a program to helping women transition from a life of street-based sex work to a more dignified means of employment.

As Robin’s term ended, she witnessed the joy and inspiration their training program had on many women. She knew she had to do more. When she returned to the U.S. in 2010, Robin began the preparations to start Basha. On May 1, 2011, Basha opened its doors for production, forever bringing a renewed hope to the survivors of such tragedies as rape, abandonment, prostitution and hunger in Dhaka, Bangladesh.


Citron Fields Kantha Quilt $148 Sky’s The Limit Throw $98 Dhaka Market Kantha Quilt $148


Sienna HIlls Chunky Knit Quilt $58 Stillwater Chunky Knit Quilt $58 Emerald Isle Chunky Knit Quilt $48


NESTING PILLOWCASES | $22 handmade in USA

KANTHA THROWS & CUSHIONS$59 - $199

handmade in BANGLADESH

CHUNKY KNIT THROW $58handmade in BANGLADESH


Meet the Maker: OH, LITTLE RABBIT

NESTING PILLOWCASES | $22

Oh, Little Rabbit started out in a one-bedroom apartment as a creative outlet for Jason & Cara Hibbs. Over the following year the business began to grow and needing to make a decision, they took a leap of faith, quit their jobs and devoted all of their energy towards their entrepreneurial efforts.

Oh, Little Rabbit is a reflection of the things they enjoy and would want to have in their own home. They love the idea of art that is equally beautiful and practical. Each illustration is drawn by hand and screen printed using organic and recycled materials whenever possible and nontoxic water based inks. Their passion and respect for their art form is present in each piece they create.

Part of the AMERICAN NOMAD Artisan Collection.


DIAMOND PESTAMEL TOWEL$95 | handmade in Turkey


Brookside Nile Towel $28-58 Zarima Towels $28-$58 Zulu Towels $28-$58


CHAPATTI BOXES | $62handmade in India


Meet the Maker: NKUKU

The founders dreamed up the idea of Nkuku after a year of working and traveling through Africa and India. They wanted to find a way to promote and develop the traditional skills of the artisans they met along the way, whilst building a sustainable business. In the process they wanted to improve the challenging living standards and restricted opportunities that many of the artisans endured.

The name ‘Nkuku” was borrowed from a village in Zambia where they saw it whitewashed on a hut as they jotted down their business plan on the back of a paper napkin. Nkuku is socially responsible and rooted in fair trade principles & equal opportunity.


Copper Bells $9-$48 Rosewood Tablet & Book Easel $65 Makenge Basket $96 Moonlight Wall Hanging $47


Pimba Bottle Stoppers $15 Hand Etched Iron Bowls $32-$55 Bell Placeholders $31 Vintage Barware $23-$33


How It’s Made . . .Hand poured into porcelain rice bowls by refugee women living in Massachusetts who earn a living wage while learning the traditional art of candle making.

Sansui Candles $34-$44 Blue Mums Candles $32-$44


How It’s Made . . .Made from recycled glass that requires 30% less energy to melt when compared with raw material. Using less energy means less fuel is burnt and less emissions.

Antique Glass Coasters $30 Glass Knobs $16 Antique Glass Candlesticks $14-$18


WHIMSY PINE NECKLACE | $58 handmade in Uganda


Meet the Maker: 31BITS

As a carefree junior in college, Kallie experienced a life-changing trip to Uganda. She met women who grew up in a war torn country and had nothing. They were single moms with no education and no job, and they were her age, but their lives couldn’t have been more different. Joining forces with three of her college friends, they started a business that would make a positive change in women’s lives.

31BITS model is to empower people through the fashion industry. They work with their beneficiaries in Uganda to create fashionable, quality products. They earn an income enabling them to provide for their families. 31BITS cares for them in a holistic program with counseling, health education, finance training, and business mentorships. After five years in their program, their beneficiaries are ready to graduate. A graduated beneficiary has her own business and is educated, healthy, and confident. She is empowered.


How It’s Made . . .SOKO partners with jewlerymakers in Africa to leverage technology in innovative ways to create a bridge for these talented artists to participate in international trade.

Layered Bar Necklace $70 Silver Fringe Necklace $85 Bow Earrings $42


How It’s Made . . .T.A.R.A. is a pioneering organizationin India that brings fair wages, health awareness and educational programs for its artisan members that specialize in metalwork.

Bead Cuff $24 My Fair Lady Earrings $16 Agate Cuff $24


Horn Gem Necklace $84 Fringe Earrings $42 Elsabet Hoops $38 Circle Earrings $38 Two Way Choker $70 Weave Cuff $28


Smooth Plate Necklace $70 Wood & Metal Bangles $32 Knotted Swahili Necklace $75


TAILWINDS TOTE | $260handmade in Kenya


Meet the Maker: SSEKO DESIGNS

When Liz traveled to Uganda after graduating college, she came across an incredible community of young women who were committed to learning and going to school, but struggled to find work during their gap year between secondary school and university and without employment, they were unable to finance their university education. Liz was determined to find a way to empower these women and build sustainable opportunities of employment for their entire community.

Sseko Designs began as a way to generate income for high potential, talented young Uganda women to continue on to university by providing them with employment and scholarship opportunities to pursue their dreams and overcome poverty. To date, SSEKO has enabled 60 women to continue on to university and are currently working with a team of 50 women.

SAFARI BUCKET BAG $150


Triangles Zipper Clutch $26 Oversized Envelope Clutch $32 Fig Ikat Weekender $98


Ash Satchel $148 Beech Backpack $149 Hazel Bag $56


How It’s Made . . .Smateria bags are handmade in Cambodia by survivors of human trafficking using recycled fish nets that would otherwise pollute the Cambodian waterways.

Persimmon Wire Bag $59 Gray Tag Tote $81 FAQ Bag $59


How It’s Made . . .R2R bags are handmade in the Philippines using up-cycled scrap cloth and indigenous materials while providing sustainable work for artists living in poor regions.

Danella Crossbody $129 Arriane Bag $89 Issa Tote $139


Meet the Maker: KANCHA

When co-founder Tobias traveled to Kyrgyzstan, he was fascinated with the art of felting initially developed by the nomads in the country. Back in Berlin he noticed a different type of nomads: urban nomads with a laptop and smartphone, who move from metropolis to metropolis without a fixed workplace or home. This gave birth to the idea to make the traditional crafts of Kyrgyzstan attractive to the urban nomads of the world and thereby to contribute to the development of the economically weak country.

Kancha strives to establish a positive contribution to the economic development of Kyrgyzstan. They established a permanent production site in Bishkek with an office and work together with producers, suppliers and artists to improve the ecological and social balance in the value chain and to support social entrepreneurship projects in Kyrgyzstan.


NOMAD LAPTOP SLEEVE | $75handmade in Kyrgyzstan


Judith Wrap Scarf $57 Hannah Wrap Scarf $57 Aaron Wrap Scarf $57


Origami Wallet $59 Pya Scarf $42

PYA SCARF | $42handmade in India

www.shopamericannomad.comwww.shopamericannomad.com

ALPACA THROW | $165handmade in USA

american nomad fall/winter 2015

Documents