We aren’t fooling you when we say that Bali is a gorgeous place- others think so too! BBC Travel and Lonely Planet recently voted Bali one of the top 5 islands in the world. It makes sense that its many beaches, lush greenery, and picturesque sunsets easily inspire and allow us to bring you the best of this tropical beauty through our jewelry. We highly recommend a visit to Bali if you get the chance!
“World’s Best Islands”- BBC Travel
Courtesy: BBC Travel
We love the holidays at Bersatu Designs and hope all of our supporters will share our jewelry and accessories with friends and family during this season! If you didn’t get it in your inbox, you can view our holiday newsletter here!
I recently took a trip with some friends to Kalimantan, the Indonesian side of the island of Borneo. I brought along some of our new products and got some fun shots!
Watching the orangutans eat. Pictured: Bingin Beaded Wrap Bracelet, Legian Beaded Wrap Bracelet, Tabanan Snakeskin Cuff and Sanur Snakeskin Wrap Bracelet
Playing with one of the orangutans at Camp Leakey. Pictured: Lauren and Laurie wearing our Bingin Beaded Wrap Bracelet, Legian Beaded Wrap Bracelet, Tabanan Snakeskin Cuff and Sanur Snakeskin Wrap Bracelet
We were recently featured in Shoestring Venture, which features articles about start up companies.
We are thrilled to have Lauren Fleshman, a professional runner for Nike, supporting our work and wearing our jewelry. She is at the prime of her career and on track to compete in the 2012 Olympics. She appears on the cover of this month’s Runner’s World Magazine and was featured in the New York Times (where she was pictured wearing our accessories!) after finishing 16th in the NYC Marathon (her first ever marathon). Not only is she an athlete, she is an entrepreneur and role model for female runners all over the world. Bersatu was founded with the strong principle of helping women learn a skill and generate income from that skill. We are proud to call such an inspirational woman our friend and happy to see her wearing our Balian Bracelet and Sanur Wrap Bracelet!
Lauren Fleshman wearing our Balian Bracelet and Sanur Snakeskin Bracelet with fellow runner, Ro McGettigan.
Lauren's Runner's World cover!
All of our snakeskin products are made from freshwater water-snake skin that has been treated and dyed. This species of snake is not endangered in any way and they are in fact viewed as pests to rice farmers in Bali. The skin of freshwater snakes tends to be softer than that of saltwater snakes, giving it a nice smooth finish.
Our lead artisan for these products is named Herman and he has 3 men that work under him. They all live in the same compound in Bali, Indonesia and sit in the courtyard every day working on their handmade products. Along with their work for Bersatu, they also have had clients from Japan and Australia. These men are very skilled at what they do, all having been trained by Herman who attended technical training to learn how to make products such as handbags, bracelets, wallets, belts and other various accessories.
The courtyard outside of their house where they create handmade goods for Bersatu.
They are grateful they have the ability to work from home and earn a sustainable income. There is an obvious camaraderie among the men as they share stories and crack jokes while they work. They are all married, but their wives work various jobs outside the home leaving the house all to them during the day.
SNEAK PREVIEW: Herman's colleague, Ketut, was working on an upcoming product for Bersatu when we visited. Can you guess what it might be!?
If you haven’t already, now there is even more reason to join Bersatu on Facebook! Each month we will randomly choose one of our fans to receive a free Sanur Snakeskin Wrap Bracelet in the color of their choice. Join us on Facebook to stay up to date on Bersatu news, new products and to possibly win a free bracelet!
Meet one of the artisans of Bersatu. Komang lives in Bali with her husband and son. Learn more about where she lives, her family and her jewelry making.
You can learn more about the other Bersatu artisans on our About page and purchase their handmade jewelry in our Shop.
San Francisco, CA – Bersatu Designs, a socially conscious jewelry enterprise based out of Bali, Indonesia, has launched its website August 17, 2011. The website, www.bersatudesigns.com, hosts a collection of unique, colorful and locally inspired jewelry from Indonesia. At this time, products are readily available on the Bersatu website to customers in the US.
The launch of Bersatu’s website opens the door for local Indonesian artisans to access income opportunities through the sale of hand-made jewelry and accessory pieces. Following the launch of its website, Bersatu plans to make its products available through local boutiques and retail stores to enable easier access to Bersatu products.
Co-founders Cissy DeLuca and Analisa Hightower were inspired by the craftsmanship skills and work ethic of local Indonesian women who were otherwise unemployed. DeLuca, who currently resides in Bali, recognized that some of the women in her neighborhood were skilled in making leather straps for sandals. DeLuca and Hightower came together early in 2011 to create Bersatu, the Bahasa Indonesian word for “united,” to provide these Indonesian women with more profitable work. Bersatu provides the women with the tools, training and materials to create the jewelry.
Through the creation of locally inspired designs, Bersatu seeks to provide dignified business opportunities for Indonesians. Handcrafted jewelry and accessory pieces made in Indonesia are now available through Bersatu’s website.
Media Contact:
Asha Bhatia
Asha@bersatudesigns.com
www.bersatudesigns.com
