learn about social & environmental responsibility

One of our primary goals at Aurora Palesca Designs is to celebrate what is naturally beautiful. We like to think that what we are making adds something special to our world, rather than taking something away from it. Because of this, we feel a strong commitment to providing a fully sustainable and ethical service. So we choose materials not only for their beauty and superior quality, but also for their sensitivity to our world and the people who live in it.

Innovation, research, and investigation surround every purchase made by Aurora Palesca Designs. We try to stay engaged in the many issues regarding our trades so that we can make informed decisions, and therefore bring you a better product. We make every effort to obtain items that are environmentally sound from both responsible companies and independent artisans. Sometimes we are able to meet all of our standards, and sometimes we make trade-offs in order to support a worthy cause. In either case, we fully disclose the origins of our materials to the best of our ability in every product description.

We also run a green studio focused on the beauty of craft rather than productivity and profit margins. Our philosophy is simple -- respecting our world, our creations, and ourselves deepens the sense of pride that we feel in our work.

Below you will find detailed information about our products and materials. However, we encourage you, the customer, to ask questions anytime that a concern may arise. As the world changes, so must we, and we appreciate any ideas or suggestions that you might want to share with us.

Please note that we have made a distinction on our site between materials that are "certified fair trade", and those that are "fair trade" in every sense of the word, but are not certified.

Jewelry
Paper
Packaging
Studio
Partner Foundations
Charities
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Jewelry

Regarding the metal in our jewelry, we currently mix 100% recycled silver with fair trade chains and components. The recycled metals are obtained through an American company that is not only itself environmentally responsible, but also educates other jewelers about how to reduce waste. The fair trade (both certified and not) silver parts that we purchase are artisan handmade using traditional techniques. They are produced by US-based companies that regularly monitor the work environment and well-being of employees. One of these has publicly stated that, "60% of the silver used in all of our handmade Bali sterling silver styles is recycled from production scraps". Although this is a typical practice when dealing with precious metals (they are too expensive to just throw away!), it is re-assuring to know that our manufacturers are so acutely aware of their waste. The same producer is steadily making strides forward in greening their US office, conserving energy, packaging supplies, and paper goods.

Our beads are gemstone, shell, glass (in some cases recycled), and pearl. We currently purchase only those that are hand cut, handcrafted, or vintage repurposed. Our suppliers of new beads have either visited the workshops to ensure that the working conditions are sound (no child or slave labor), or they import directly from independent craftspeople around the world. A fair wage is paid, and material and fiscal support is often given directly to the artisans. Vintage parts are salvaged primarily from broken or out-dated jewelry.

In the past, we sourced through a non-profit bead wholesaler that donates a substantial portion of profits to humanitarian relief and development in North America and the Caribbean. We no longer purchase through this company because we have since found more ethical alternatives to their offerings. However, we still have a substantial stock of their beads in our studio. So many are still present in our jewelry.

We are also constantly exploring new media for use in our designs. When we discovered silk sari ribbon that was handmade out of worn saris, we knew that it would make stunning neckwear. Thus was born our Raw Ribbons Collection. We also offer a small selection of bracelets crafted out of eco-friendly hand-dyed silk ribbons.

Paper

We currently craft or all of our paper goods, books, and gift boxes using tree free handmade lokta paper. Made by the sustainable pruning of the wild "Lokta" bush, this long fibrous paper is prized for its attractive texture, durability, strength, and resistance to insects. According to the wholesaler, the pruning of this shrub also serves a vital social purpose.

"The harvesting of Lokta... allows the plants root growth to accelerate to help hold the soil in place during the two monsoon seasons Nepal gets every year, and it is the only export crop the remote villages have, thus giving them a sustainable form of income, making for a better standard of living."

Our lokta paper provider has been working with the same group of primarily nepalese women for 11 years, and has been practicing fair trade since before the movement even had a name.

Some of our cards also feature a 100% cotton vellum overlay with glass beads hand-sewn into the design.

Hand-written calligraphy is also a very luxurious way that we go green. We use water-based sumi inks, colored pencil, and fine-tip markers to add the flourished designs and writing to our paper products. This reduces the amount of electric energy consumed by printing, and makes for a unique, one-of-a-kind gift.

Packaging

All of our packaging is handmade either in our studio or commissioned by independent artists. We offer a complimentary jewelry pouch with all qualifying purchases, which was custom-designed and hand-sewn in the USA out of a hemp-silk blend fabric. Our gift boxes are available free of charge upon request, and are handcrafted out of tree-free lokta paper in our Boston studio. We pad each box with a sheet of re-purposed tissue paper, and tie the finished package with a strand of hemp cord.

Studio

At Aurora Palesca Designs, we also carefully consider our footprint when making all company decisions. We re-use packaging materials, and oftentimes incorporate discard-able items into our product displays. We attempt to go paperless whenever possible in our business transactions. We use email rather than direct mail for marketing purposes. When we do print, we do so sustainably. You will find our green printer's tag line on all of our promotional materials "Printed on 100% recycled content, 50% post-consumer waste, processed chlorine-free paper..."

In addition to being stringent about what comes into Aurora Palesca's studio, we are also concerned about what goes out. Nothing ever goes to waste. Clippings from one project are saved and incorporated into another. Products are carefully planned and measured so as to avoid excess. If the remains of a material cannot be reused, we make sure that they make their way into the recycling bin or, in the case of silver, back to the refinery.

Partner Foundations

Below are links to some of the foundations that your purchase will help to support through our wholesale partners.

Charities

We also directly support the following non-profit organizations through the donation of time, graphic services, and materials.

Aurora Palesca has been an active volunteer for Emergency USA since 2006. This non-profit organization was "established for the charitable purpose of raising awareness through education about a culture of peace and respect for human dignity, and raising funds and community support for medical care, rehabilitation and relief efforts for victims of wars, land mines, poverty and natural disasters." Aurora Palesca Designs donates products for auctions and fundraisers, and produces promotional materials for Boston chapter events.

Aurora Palesca donates silent auction items to Starlight New England's fundraising events. "Starlight brings together experts from pediatric health care, technology and entertainment to create programs that educate, entertain and inspire seriously ill children. Whether it's finding friends online, learning more about a disease, or just spending time together as a family, Starlight's programs help children and families cope with the challenges they face daily."

Aurora Palesca donates items for auction to the South Boston Neighborhood House's annual benefit and auction. "The South Boston Neighborhood House continues to reflect the spirit of the Settlement House Movement, carrying out its mission "to support family and neighborhood life in South Boston" through seven major programs operating at four sites. that focus on developing the individual and collective strengths of the South Boston community."