c h a s e y o u r d r e a m s

www.emberarts.com 619-293-3900 info@emberarts.com

Spr ing & Summer 2013Wholesa le

The Ember Arts Story

Esther and her family live in a small, one-story block of grey concrete rooms in a slum outside of Uganda’s capital city. Laundry hangs in uneven lines across their little compound. When I duck into her sitting room she gives me a big, wry smile and a welcome so wholehearted I hardly know what to do with it. She serves me a Coke. Ugandan Coke, made with real cane sugar, is transcendent.

Not too many years ago, Esther was beaten with the business end of a machete by a rebel soldier. She showed me her big, raised scars. The rebellion drove her and her family from their home, making them, sud-denly, poor refugees in their own country. She found shelter in the Acholi Quarters slum and found

work crushing stones in a local quarry. The work is grueling, done sitting in the hot sun with a makeshift hammer, and pays, at best, $1 per day. It was all just barely enough to stay alive.

But Esther is not content to just stay alive. Esther is one of those special souls whose dreams simmer near the surface, just behind the eyes, who will keep chasing her dreams no matter what she has to overcome—civil war or otherwise. She started trying little businesses, like selling bananas and charcoal, to get money to send her kids to school. Soon she bought a little piece of the rock quarry as an investment.

These days Esther makes jewelry for Ember Arts and helps lead the other women who work with her. She is building a home for her family and run-ning a couple small but successful side businesses. Her oldest son is in

Ember Arts jewelry is handmade in Uganda from recycled paper, and its sale supports the women who make it as they chase their dreams. Women like Esther.

college. Some day, Esther told me a couple years ago, she’s going to buy herself a car and park it in her own driveway. I can’t wait to sit shotgun.

Ember Arts exists to support women like Esther as they pursue and achieve their dreams. We partner with 28 Ugandan women, all survi-vors of war and poverty, who handmake every piece of our jewelry from recycled paper. And they use the money they earn to chase their dreams: to educate their children, build homes, start businesses. They are trans-forming the future for their families and communities.

And they are reconnecting with deep, hopeful parts of themselves. People are at their best when they pursue their best dreams. Our dreams are the little white rabbits that we follow, often tumbling, into the color and wonder of life.

Esther chases her dreams, and brings that color and wonder into the world around her. Sipping my Coke in her little sitting room, I think about real cane sugar. And I think about how dreams are like the real cane sugar in our lives. And how people like Esther are the real cane sugar in our world. They show us that there’s something more than just staying alive. They elevate the mundane. They transcend.

James Pearson Co-Founder

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New Solana NecklaceN20, $9, color shown

A tassle of handmade, recycled-paper beads hangs lightly on a cord of waxed cotton. Elegant and still loads of fun, this piece dresses up a simple t-shirt or an evening ensemble.

Featured Products

New Laguna EarringsE25, $8, color shown

Handmade, recycled-paper beads dangle lightly in these fun, sophisticated earrings. From cocktails at the bar to cocktail party, these ear-rings are the perfect spring accessory.

New Karuma BraceletB19, $8, color shown

Five memory wire strands of handmade, recycled-paper beads accented with natural Ugandan seeds, this brace-let is as eco-friendly as it is fun to show off.

Basket of BraceletsD4, $200 $189

Get 40 of our bestselling bracelets—Classic Cuffs and Classic Triples—at a great discount. Your first Basket of Bracelets order comes with a free cute POP basket.

New HeadwrapT01, $6, colors vary

Made with ‘kitenge’ fabric from Uganda’s markets, these fun, pleated head-wraps are perfect for Spring and Summer wardrobes.

New Travel BagT02, $5, colors vary

Made with ‘kitenge’ fabric from Uganda’s markets, these colorful little bags are perfect travel companions and purse organizers.7” x 5.5”

Long Multicolor NecklaceN01, $11, mixed colors

Mixed colors and sizes of handmade, recycled-paper beads, strung together in this colorful, extra long piece. There’s no wrong way to wear it.

Necklaces

Short Multicolor NecklaceN05, $8, mixed colors

This colorful mix of hand-made, recycled paper beads shines on sunny days, and brightens cloudy ones. Easy to wear and fun to talk about.

Gravity NecklaceN19, $9, colors vary

Graduated sizes of hand-made, recycled paper beads make this necklace a fun statement, with plenty of story to back it up.

New Mabira NecklaceN21, $10, color shown

This elegant piece mixes handmade, recycled-paper beads with natural elements to give it style and depth.

Elgon NecklaceN17, $9, colors shown

Handmade, recycled-paper beads strung together with natural Ugandan seeds make for a simple, elegant accent to any outfit.

Venice Necklace(available late Spring)N22, $9, mixed colors

Beads handmade from recycled magazines hang lightly on waxed cotton cord. This one belongs in the magazines it’s made from.

Classic Triple BraceletB04, $5, mixed colors

Three multi-colored strands of handmade, recycled-pa-per beads, strung on elastic for a fun, stretchy, colorful accent to your spring and summer wardrobe.

Bracelets & Bangles

Classic Cuff BraceletB02, $5, mixed colors

This stretchy cuff features handmade, recycled-paper beads in fun, mixed-color combinations. Wear it alone or together with your favor-ite bangles.

Rio Bangles (sets of 3)B14, $7, colors vary

Each set of Rios includes three bangles of handmade, recycled-paper beads in complementary tones. For bangle lovers, it doesn’t get better than this.

New Bwindi BraceletB18, $7, color shown

Three strands of recycled paper beads and natural Ugandan seeds make this more than just a pretty ac-cessory. It’s a story on your wrist.

New Pacific Bangles (sets of 3)B20, $7, color shown

Each set of Pacifics includes three beautiful, color-block bangles handmade from recycled-paper beads. Per-fect for summer days at the beach.

Jinja Bangles (sets of 2)B17, $7, color shown

Each set of Jinjas includes two bangles handmade with a mix of recycled-paper beads and natural Ugandan seeds. These are as eco-friendly as they are down-to-earth, and still fun, too.

Constellation EarringsE07, $6, mixed colors

Each pair features a colorful mix of handmade, recycled-paper beads. A perfect little splash of color for your summer events.

Earrings

Plume EarringsE12, $8, colors vary

Classic hoops with a bold fringe of recycled-paper beads, these easy-to-wear earrings start conversations and have a story all their own.

Kidepo EarringsE24, $5, colors shown

Mixing recycled-paper beads with natural Ugandan seeds, these earrings have a down-to-earth eco flair, and a story to match.

Apple EarringsE23, $7, colors vary

Hoops of recycled-paper beads in graduated sizes, these earrings are simple, bold, and beautiful.

Join us in supporting the dreams of our partners in Uganda, and of our customers and community around the world. May our dreams unite us.

Ember ArtsPO Box 7526San Diego, CA 92167www.emberarts.com

“Ember is my favorite item in Urban Girl. When a man walks in and says, ‘I need a gift for my wife,’ we say, ‘Right over here to the Ember table.’ Ember jewelry is a godsend. It sells like no other item.” — Annie Glenn, Owner Urban Girl Accessories San Diego, CA

“Our store began selling Ember Arts back in December 2008, not a good time for most retailers. As we looked back later we saw that many months it was Ember Arts sales that pulled us through. Sales haven’t slowed a bit.” — Cheryl Bundy, Owner Jewel of Paradise Hanalei, HI