Hello Internet friends! Can you believe it’s December already?! With the first Sunday of Advent upon us, it’s time for the last 1 For Me // 1 For You giveaway of the year. And the story behind this one has just recently come to my attention and moved my heart. Story Company is a network of entrepreneurs who partner with impoverished artisans all over the world. Artisans who’ve been victims of sex trafficking, genocide, HIV/AIDS, and so many other devastating circumstances. Artisans who, without Story Company, could only dream of selling their creations in a global marketplace. You see, Story Company is aptly named. Because it works to CHANGE these artisans’ stories. Through recognition. Empowerment. And restoration. Now here’s the scoop this month…
- What is it? Each month, a winner receives a duplicate of something I find fashionable, functional, or fun!
- Who can enter? Friends, clients, random readers, etc.! (Please read the not-so-fine print below.)
- How long do I have to enter? You have until next Saturday, 12/8 at midnight CST to enter. The winner will be chosen using the random number generator at Random.org and announced on Sunday, 12/9.
- How do I enter? You must comment (and answer the question asked at the end of this post) to enter. Comments left via Facebook, Twitter or elsewhere will not be taken into consideration.
- But why? Because you can help change someone’s story. And that’s pretty amazing!!
This month, we’ll be giving away one item of jewelry (of your choice) via Story Company! From the winter or fall collection – you just have to pick your favorite. :) All pieces are fair trade, fashionable, and made with INCREDIBLE quality. I was super happy to finish out my Christmas shopping with Story Company this year!!
And here’s my own favorite – the gold Harshali necklace. Named for one of the Mata artisans who created it, the Harshali necklace is crafted with brass and measures between 11″ and 13″ depending on where you clasp it. You can read more about Mata Traders and how they provide economic advancement for women in India HERE. Oh, and many thanks to my handsome husb (Yes, husb. Not hubs.) for taking these next few of shots! :)
Question to enter: Which piece of Story Company jewelry would you LOVE to wear and why?!
Alicia Pyne - What an amazing way to shop for gifts!! Also, I know flattery does not get me an extra entry BUT I must mention how amazing your hair looks in these photos by your husb!! :) And I love the “Wrap Me Up Bracelet” because it has the look of multiple bracelets all in one!
Debby Morales - This is an awesome company! Thank you so much for making me aware of it:D
I am torn between so many of these beautifully crafted pieces, but I am in love with The Joy Necklace! It is made near Cape Town where one of my Aunts spent several years living and working with the people. I fell in love with the people she worked with through her awesome stories and love:) It would be wonderful to bring a piece of that to my home as a wonderful reminder:)
Anna K. - Oh Alyse I love this! What a great business! I’ve actually had my eye on the arrow necklace for some time now, but I didn’t realize how great the company was until your post, thank you!
Rebekah Lyn - Love the arrow necklace! I love companies like this who exist for a cause!
Kathy - I like the Never Ending Scarf form the Fall Collection – would complete an outfit!
Jenn - Yet again, you’ve turned me on to another amazing online shopping site! I love the concept. And I love the ole’ bangles, I love that they are made from cow horns. What a unique use of materials.
Kate - I like the B Bangles….because my husband doesn’t like earrings and my baby pulls on necklaces. :) I love the colors and that they are made out banana leaves.
Bev P - I love the Aditi bracelet in teal- not only is the piece gorgeous, but so is the story behind it! Praise God for the empowerment of young girls!
Kayla F - Oh Alyse I absolutely LOVE Story Company!!! They make my heart so warm! :D I love the Peacock earrings from the Fall 2012 collection! They are beautiful and who doesn’t love a good peacock piece!!!
Joanna - This makes my heart so full. What a great idea, Lysie! I love the Silver Wrap Bracelet it is so amazing color and texturally. And mroe than that I love the story of this beautiful woman who in the face of so much adversity has made such a positive change for herself, her family, and now others in the community. Thanks for introducing me to this site…love it!
kp - teardrop earrings, to give to my momma=) she loves her earrings.
Meghan - Oh man! It’s SO hard to choose! The stories are all amazing!! I love the Kanchana Knot Bracelet. My oldest child is almost six. I cannot fathom something happening to myself and my husband and leaving him to take care of himself and his younger siblings! Simply cannot imagine. I love that Harshali was able to find a way to support her family fairly.
Jen - I love the Joy Necklace! Thanks for sharing the Story Company site – I have been trying to shop for gifts on sites that “give back”…
Emily - What a wonderful company, thank you for sharing it! My personal favorite is the halo necklace in teal, but everything is so lovely that I think my mom will find a few items in her stocking from Story Co. this Christmas!
Stephanie Rita - I’m a big fan of the Joy necklace in the winter collection. turquoise always gets me! now excuse me while i go pin their whole website… =)
Lauren Jolly - I absolutely love the idea of this company! It makes me so happy to see people helping people! Also, I am in love with the Arrow Necklace! Yes, please!!
Elizabeth B. - I would LOVE to wear the Oun Necklace – I love wearing pieces that tell the story of the one who created it, and also benefits them in the long run. I have already been shopping for some Story Company items to give away for Christmas and they are beautiful!
Sarah Jane - I like the peacock earrings. So pretty!
Kate - I am in love with the wrap bracelets! I tend to layer on the bracelets for a cool earthy hippy vibe, especially in the summer. and this sort of gives that effect only a classier approach for the colder months. AND IT SPARKLES. hello, my middle name. LOVE the story by the way!
jessica - i’m definitely a fan of this company and this jewelry:) great find friend:) I love the joy necklace or the Asasha earrings:) super fun:) if you are not aware, similar to this company, there is a company called Ten Thousand Villages…i used to work there. They also are fair trade and work with artisan groups throughout several companies in the world. They have tons of amazing stuff for the home and beyond:) thought you would like;)
Catherine H. - What a lovely idea for a company – I really appreciated checking the whole website out! It was a hard decision to narrow down to but I love the Medallion necklace! 1. The fact that it’s made out of oil drums, paper beads and seed beads is so unique, and 2. Haiti still struggles with extreme poverty and worse, children are not able to remain with their families because of that. Especially at this time of year we have to count our blessings while trying to help others however we can. Thanks for featuring, Happy Holidays Alyse!
Jess S - What a cool company. And right in time for Christmas! I love the Amisha necklace. It’s beautiful and has an equally beautiful story.
Sara Wilson - I love, love, love the story company!! I must admit that I am newly introduced, but I’m a huge fan already. Not only do I love the merchandise, it is their mission is what really inspires me. They have a piece of jewelry called the Kanchana Knot bracelet that is one of my favorites. There is a lyric in a song that my husband and I both love that states, “you tie the knot when I’m at the end of my rope.” We were both previously married before finding one another 4 years ago. One of the reasons why we are so deeply in love with one another is that we can rely on each other, no matter what. Our love is the knot on the end of our rope. It is constant. This bracelet symbolizes that to me. It is the perfect piece of jewelry for me and my own story.
micaela - I’m digging that Medallion necklace!
Brianna B - I adore the new Splendour Necklace made by Joya. The geode’s that are shown are stunning. It’s nature’s beautiful work at its finest.
kata taggart - i love the splendour necklace… very cool company!
Angela Parker - I love the aditi bracelet!!
Heidi - I checked out this site a few weeks ago for the first time and was mulling over the Harshali Necklace until I saw you wearing it, and now I know I want it! (except silver is more my thing!) Thanks for linking so many people to a great project, what a wonderful way to use your 1 for you 1 for me campaign for so much good!!!
Carrie Stiles - I love their wrap bracelets. And the Seed of Hope necklace is really pretty too! Great website & supports a good cause!
Heather - What a fabulous web-site! My top pick is the seeds of hope necklace.
Anna - I would LOVE to wear the Kanchana Knot Bracelet! It is such a statement piece! I can already picture it paired with a little black dress. Plus, something big and bold like that often functions as a conversation-starter, which could attract even more customers to Story Company in support of a good cause! Sounds like a win-win situation to me. ;)
Nicole - I love the medallion necklace! This is such a neat company, and they make beautiful jewelry!
Rachel Durrent - My sister would really like the Geo Earring :)
Rachelle - I love the oun and the aisha necklaces. Both of them are gorgeous!
1 For Me // 1 For You | December 2012: WINNER ANNOUNCED!! | Alyse French Photography | Houston-Based Wedding and Lifestyle Photographer - […] TV ;) Restful. Sweet… And today is especially sweet – since we get to find out who won December’s 1 For Me // 1 For You! Some Story Company jewelry is up for grabs and one girl’s going to be pretty happy! So […]