Why We Do What We Do

We are in regular communication with our Elevita artisans.  We like to know how much business they have, how their children are doing in school, whether they have food on the table, and so forth.  These ongoing conversations are the most fulfilling part of our work.  As part of the dialog, our artisans regularly express gratitude for being a part of Elevita.  We probably don't post these remarks as often as we should, but here is just a small and simple tidbit, received today from our contact in Cambodia who had the opportunity to visit some of our artisans in Battambang.  She writes: 

"...The ladies said that they're very happy for your orders. They use their earnings to buy rice/food for their children and send their children to school. You see most of the ladies in this group are single parents. Once again, they would like to thank you for your orders."

Just another example of how a little bit of help can go a long way to improving someone's lifestyle!  And we in turn are very grateful for the amazing quality these women produce.  They make our "Best Bags Ever" and our "Perfect Pouches."  Well done, ladies!

New Nativity Available

Filipino woodcarver Frank Cajumban has been working with Elevita to sell his 17-piece nativity sets.  Because of the number of pieces, Elevita does not stock this beautiful set, although it is available for special order.  Please email info@elevita.com if you are interested in purchasing this treasure, and we can arrange for Frank to directly ship you a wooden crate!

Filipino Woodcarver Shares Photos of His Process

It is amazing to think that Arman's intricate nativity figures are made from these tools!

Here Arman Cagayat begins one of the palm trunks--a signature piece of his set.

Holding the piece tightly with a rope, Arman is able to carve the perfect grooves.

It is clear that Arman's three daughters enjoy "supervising" his work!  Well done, Arman!!

Young Painting Prodigy Margarita Cajumban

Sometimes Elevita comes across amazing artisans whose work we are not able to carry on our website, ether because it is too large, too fragile, or too expensive.  The exquisite paintings of Margarita Cajumban are just such an example.  Margarita is one of eleven children born to a humble woodcarver. In spite of very limited resources, she has worked tirelessly to pursue her life's passion: Oil Painting.  Now at the age of 18 Margarita is using her painting as a way to pay for her college courses in Economics.  Of course Elevita would like to do everything we can to help promote Margarita's work.  If you are interested in purchasing her paintings, email info@elevita.com.  Her work is replete with texture and radiates a fantastic ethnic flare.  

SHE CAN PAINT ANYTHING YOU LIKE FROM A PHOTO!

Golden Harvest

Filipino Modesty

Manila

Update on Louela

Louela di Nalzaro is one of our artisans in the Philippines.  Creating jewelry for Elevita has allowed Louela to greatly improve the quality of life for herself and her children.  Recently, she needed to travel to Dumaguete City to receive a much-needed operation.  Her church was willing to pay half, but Louela needed to come up with the rest.  Around this time Elevita was able to place another large order from Louela.  She sent Elevita a message, explaining her situation, and saying, "That's why I am very happy when you order me more of my craft...God works in mysterious ways, because when I need money, I don't think it's a coincidence that you ordered more."  Louela's necklaces have been very popular, and Elevita is pleased to be a part of her success.

$200 Value for $22?

Last week my mother-in-law was visiting.  She was wearing what appeared to be a beautiful amethyst Elevita necklace, which I couldn't take my eyes off--not only because it was beautiful, but because I was racking my brain trying to remember when I had given it to her.  Try as I might, I could conjure up no memory explaining how she came by the necklace.  Finally we asked.  She replied that it actually wasn't an Elevita piece, but one she had purchased in a department store, after looking high and low for just the right purple piece.  Hesitatingly I inquired, "Can I ask you how much you paid for it?"

"Two-hundred dollars!" was her reply.  I quickly went to retrieve a twin piece from my Elevita inventory, thinking surely there must be a noticeable difference when the necklaces were placed side by side, but no!  The only difference we could ascertain was that the Elevita necklace was actually longer, enabling it to be doubled or even tripled.  Amazing!

So why, she wondered, do we sell it at such a low price?  The reason is that we always allow our artisans to set their prices, telling them to make sure it is a fair price for them and their families.  Then we sell their goods as inexpensively as possible, in the hope that the low prices will drive more sales.  Quickly selling through a product enables us to purchase more as soon as possible, continually supporting the artisans.  After realizing that our price difference was because of our business model and not because of quality, my mother-in-law immediately bought three more strings of Elevita beads!  Thank you, Sharon!!

Elevita Helps Form Cooperative in the Philippines

Elevita has helped a brave new group take steps to lift themselves from poverty.  The I Reach Out cooperative, inspired by Elevita and headed by Filipina Florita Escandor, has a vision to help all its members become self reliant.  In February the I Reach Out was able to open its first warehouse with a generous gift from Elevita.

One of the biggest reasons for poverty in the Philippines is corruption.  Prices of everyday commodities are controlled by a few large entities.  This makes it difficult for the average person to purchase more than a days worth of necessities at a time.

For years Florita Escandor (Flora) has had a vision to help lift her countrymen out of poverty.   Once she connected with Kirsten Monson, Elevita Cofounder, in Singapore, Flora knew it was finally time to act.  Flora decided to tackle the poverty problem by changing the method of goods distribution.  With her background in economics and business, Flora approached major manufacturers and negotiated with them to release their products at reduced prices.  These products will then go directly into the hands of cooperative members, without several middleman price increases.  The cooperative has launched in a warehouse, which also gives its members a place to sell their own produce and handmade goods.  Elevita plays an additional role by helping the artisan members sell their handmade products on Elevita.com.

The cooperative is carefully organized so that members receive a rebate for all their purchases, which is applied to savings, investments, and to furthering the mission of the cooperative.  With this ingenious model Flora has taken great steps to help free her fellow citizens from the rule of the "tycoons" who run the country.  The I Reach Out cooperative is young, but Elevita has great hope for the future of its members, and is proud to play a role in its inception.

The I Reach Out cooperative, headed by Florita Escandor (back right).