Worried about Cell Phone Radiation?

Recent reports from World Health Organization (WHO) suggest that the use of cellular phones could be dangerous to your health.

Cell phones emit radiation to send voice and text messages between you and the other caller. Recent studies of frequent cell phone users suggest increased risks for brain and mouth tumors and children’s behavior problems.

To be on the safe side, Nativa Store wants to suggest the following tips to reduce exposure:

USE A HEADSET OR SPEAKER
Headsets emit much less radiation than phones. Choose either wired or
wireless (experts are split on which version is safer). Some wireless headsets emit continuous, low-level radiation, so take yours off your ear when you’re not on a call. Using your phone in speaker mode also reduces radiation to the head.

LISTEN MORE, TALK LESS
Your phone emits radiation when you talk or text, but not when you’re
receiving messages. Listening more and talking less reduces your exposures.

CHOOSE TEXTING OVER TALKING
Phones use less power (less radiation) to send text than voice. And unlike when you speak with the phone at your ear, texting keeps radiation away from your head.

POOR SIGNAL? STAY OFF THE PHONE
Fewer signal bars on your phone means that it emits more radiation to get the signal to the tower. Make and take calls when your phone has a strong signal.

SKIP THE “RADIATION SHIELD”
Radiation shields such as antenna caps or keypad covers reduce the connection quality and force the phone to transmit at a higher power with higher radiation.

LIMIT CHILDREN’S PHONE USE
Young children’s brains absorb twice the cell phone radiation as an adult’s. Teenagers are heavy cell phone users and tend to be even more exposed to possible cell phone effects.

HOLD THE PHONE AWAY FROM YOUR BODY
Hold the phone away from your torso when you’re talking (with headset or speaker), not against your ear, in a pocket, or on your belt where soft body tissues absorb radiation. Avoid carrying your cell phone on your pant pockets, or clipped to your waist as it could potentially affect your fertility. It is advisable to carry your cell phone on a convenient bag or tote.

Nativa Store carries a nice selection of eco-friendly  satchels, purses and handbags for both men and women, that are ideal to carry your cell phone with style and color. Check them out!

A trip to Santiago del Estero

This January Michelle & I continued our quest for meeting outstanding artisans during our field trip to Argentina. Thus one early morning we packed water bottles and plenty of healthy snacks and embarked ourselves in a visit to the amazing province of Santiago del Estero. Located on the central north area of the country, Santiago is a very hot and dry region. Temperatures easily reach a 100 degrees in summertime and rains are very scarce.

(You can watch a video about our visit to Santiago del Estero clicking here)

After a couple of hours we started to spot several workshops adjacent to the highway. Local female artisans displayed colorful hand-woven rugs, table runners and bed covers that were to die for!

As we browsed through their treasures, we discussed with them the various techniques they used for producing these beauties. Some have their own sheep and sheer them to later spin and dye their wool.

Every bright color used to produce these pieces are obtained by using natural elements like onion skins, yerba mate, beets, carrots and local trees & flowers. One of the artisans showed us how he boils the wool with those pigments and later hangs the skeins in the sunlight to dry them.

Most of the weavers have their wooden looms located under a tree, across their workshops, thus we were able to see them at creating intricate patterns in ponchos, carpets, sashes, pouches, jerguillas and garments with impeccable skill.

Visiting Santiago was delighting for us. We met lovely people with whom we will continue to work in order to bring you their exceptional creations through Nativa Store.

Please visit our site to browse through the beautiful bed covers, belts, and home decorationitems from Santiago del Estero. We are sure that you will love them all!

See you soon!

Chile

Last December we flew down to Santiago de Chile in search for new gifts and independent artisans.  We were welcomed by a sunny and warm Monday morning and after checking at the hotel, we visited several workshops around town.

The Republic of Chile is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far south.

Chile is the world’s largest copper producer  and its also known for its exquisite lapis lazuli, a relatively rare semi-precious stone that has been prized since antiquity for its intense blue color. So we focused on those natural materials to incorporate new items into our catalogue.

Copyright Nativa Store 2010. All rights reserved

We also discovered  a gifted wood-carver who designed elegant Tea boxes in a variety of beautiful woods: Teka, Rosewood and Sandal among others are part of his stunning beauties. This gentleman carefully designs and hand produces a wide range of wooden artifacts and kitchen ware that are exquisite to see and use since you know that no artificial element or machinery has been part of the manufacturing process.

Copyright Nativa Store 2010. All rights reserved

Chilean Andes are a very popular spot to visit during winter time. Winter at the Southern hemispheres is opposed to the northern hemisphere, so the season goes from June 21st to September 21st. If you have the opportunity to explore during the cold season, you will be able to see locals wearing colorful alpaca wool hats and bean hats with intricate patterns. They are simply adorable, practical and very very warm!

It was a short but very sweet visit to Chile, but we promised ourselves we would soon be back exploring its many regions and markets.

You will surely be able to learn from our trips to that country at Stitches & Threads and at Nativa Store.

See you soon!

All pictures have by Copyrights by Nativa Store 2011. All rights reserved.

Filtire, a divine yet disappearing treasure

When we were young, back in our home town, people used to carry cotton handkerchiefs. I mean not just in case of emergency (a stubborn cold or an emotional tear), but also women carried them as both an elegant and practical accent to their wardrobe. Sometimes handkerchiefs dressed up a plain top pocket or were simply included in every lady’s purse. Ahhh… those times where objects and accessories were not all disposable! You might consider unhealthy having to use a washable handkerchief to blow your nose or wipe your salty tears and to re-use it later,  but certainly chopping a tree is not healthy for the planet either!

I particularly remember the beautifully embroidered filtire handkerchief my mother used to get me. They were generally in pastel colors, embroidered with exquisite precision and beauty on one of is corners. They were so delicate and feminine that it was nice to sport them among your personal items.

During our trip to South America, we met María Suarez, a sweet and soft-spoken embroiderer who has excelled the art of filtire for the past 40 years. Her workshop is located in the province of Córdoba (Argentina) at the foot of a dormant volcano. We visited her with the idea of including some of her outstanding creations in the Nativa Store catalog.

“Our craft is disappearing. There are very few of us left who master this skill” says María “I am happy to share my creations through Nativa Store with discerning customers from around the globe, since whether it is a place mat or baby bib, they will acquiring a one-of-a-kind piece that has been crafted with love and a sacred tradition.”

Filtire embroidery has been around for many centuries. You can find it’s origins in Spain or France and it was brought to South America by the Europeans. The technique is used to embellish delicate accessories such as placemats, baby bonnets, blouses, cotton skirts, dresses or table clothes and napkins. The technique is extremely time-consuming and intricate. It requires a piece of cotton cloth, great lightning, superb vision and creativity. Firstly, the embroiderer determines a graphical pattern to follow. Sometimes designs resemble a flower or a geometrical image. Afterwards, cotton threads are grouped by two (horizontally and vertically) and are carefully stitched with white cotton thread first, and later cut to determine small empty squares in the shape of a checker.

Nativa Store’s 2011 Spring collection includes beautifully designed filtire pieces. Each of them is the result of many hours of intense labor and great dedication. Including these eco-friendly handmade treasures is our testament to the few remaining artisans to continue creating this pieces with great love and passion.

Hope you love them as much as we do.

See you soon!

New 2011 Spring Collection

Divine Clay trays. Copyright Nativa Store 2011. All rights reserved.

Eclectic as usual yet always featuring eco-friendly, handmade catalog, Nativa Store is about to unveil its new 2011 Spring Collection.

Nativa Store 2011 Spring collection (click to watch a Collection Preview)

A stunning array of one-of-a-kind accessories, home decor, jewelry, toys and many other beautiful items crafted with love and passion by gifted Latin American artisans.

Rosita Clutch. Copyright Nativa Store 2011. All rights reserved

We invite our readers to browse

through our catalog and quickly make your favorite item yours. After all, there is only one of each! No two pieces are exactly the same. While materials are used in several models, you will notice that the carving or the weaving technique varies from piece to piece to make yours really unique.

Remember, when you purchase a Nativa Store gift you will be supporting a community of Latin American artisans who apply their craft, tradition and passion to the item you are acquiring.

See you soon!

Ponchos: a versatile garment from the Pampas

You have probably spotted it on a chic lady ordering a latte at your favorite coffee shop. And yet, you recall reading about it on your old highschool Geography handbook… Wait a minute…what exactly is a Poncho? is it a trendy accessory or a folk garment? Well my friends, the answer is both.

A Poncho can be worn as a fashion statement and yet as a testament to the native South Americans tribes.

Originally hand-woven from Alpaca wool, ponchos had a very simple design: a square of material with a hole in its mid section so your head can go through. Easy, practical, warm and generally lightweight. A keeper for Spring & Fall!

The beauty of ponchos is that you can wear them for any occasion. You can squeeze it in your purse to protect you with elegance on a chilly Spring dinner date, pack it in your suitcase next time you take a trip to the countryside, and you can use it to wrap your child with warmth and love next time he falls asleep on the back of your SUV. Ponchos are the perfect accessory. Ponchos can be colorful, chic, made of wool, felt or fabric. They always come handy and we all should have one for our year-round wardrobe.

Nativa Store‘s newly released 2011 Spring collection features exquisite ponchos and pashminas that are fully woven in Alpaca wool by Argentinian female artisans.

Alpaca Poncho. Copyright Nativa Store 2011. All rights reserved

Some of them are decorated with silver beads and others have been threaded with suede.

Check them up and let us know what is your favorite style!

See you soon!

Avoid Bad Hair days!

Year-round we all have some of those dreaded Bad Hair Days. And let’s be honest  to put it elegantly, we profoundly dislike them!

Nevertheless, everyday we have to face the street looking stylish and well put. So what to do then?

Firstly, we must understand that snow, humidity, static, wind or plain rain, have devastated consequences for our beloved manes.  Thin or straight hair are also particularly vulnerable to extreme weather conditions. We could complain about it or make the most out of it…it’s all a matter of attitude!

A cute wool cap to protect you from the winter inclemencies. Copyright Nativa Store 2011. All Rights Reserved

To make things worse it is not unusual for women to experience thinning hair as they age, especially when hormonal changes caused by menopause come into play.

• Damaging effects of hair treatments or styling
• Twisting or pulling your hair
• Prescription drugs such as blood thinners and medications for gout, arthritis, depression, heart problems and high blood pressure
• Thyroid disease
• Iron deficiency. (Do not take iron unless you’ve been tested and your doctor has recommended a supplement – it can do more harm than good if you don’t need it.)

If you are experiencing thinning hair or hair loss, keep the following in mind:

• Certain prescription drugs (blood thinners and medications
  used to treat gout, arthritis, depression, heart problems and high blood pressure) can cause hair shedding that might be mistaken for thinning.
• 

  A cute hair barrette. Copyright Nativa Store 2011. All rights reserved

  Thyroid disease may be a factor. Speak with your doctor about a thyroid test; appropriate treatment often results in hair re-growth.

• The effects of hair-care treatments or styling, as well as the habit of twisting or pulling your hair, can cause hair loss or thinning.
• Diet may be an issue. To maintain healthy hair and help prevent further loss, make sure you’re getting enough omega-3 fatty acids. Eat salmon, sardines, herring or mackerel two or three times a week, or sprinkle two tablespoons of freshly ground flax seeds per day on cereal or salads.
• Supplement your diet with GLA (gamma-linolenic acid) in the form of black currant oil or evening primrose oil. Take 500 mg of either twice a day for six to eight weeks to see if it helps.

Wear your hair with style and confidence

Copyright Nativa Store 2011. all rights reserved

Still, there are days when nothing we do with our hair locks works out. For those dreaded days Nativa Store features a colorful collection of hair accessories, including hand-woven barrettes, pins and bands that will highlight the beauty of your locks

Check them out and let us know which one is your favorite!

See you soon!

Why LOVE translates into gifts?

 Ahhhh l’amour…..! we dream about it, we long for it and we certainly shop in the name of it!

Valentine’s Day is around the corner and the true gentleman at heart has already ordered a dozen red roses for his lovely lady, while she has probably gotten a box of chocolates for him plus a nice sexy card to be delivered with a kiss just before dinner….

Luna Necklace is a perfect gift for Valentine. Copyright Nativa Store 2011. All Rights Reserved

Valentine’s  day is traditionally a day on which lovers express their affection for each other by presenting flowers, jewelry, offering confectionary,  and sending greeting cards to their ”valentines“. Modern Valentine’s Day symbols include the heart-shaped outline, doves, and the figure of the winged Cupid. Since the 19th century, handwritten valentines have given way to mass-produced greeting cards and gifts.

So, do you actually stop to ponder why is it that we buy material things to demonstrate our affection?

Jewelry is the kind of gift all ladies love to get! Copyright Nativa Store 2011. All rights reserved

Is there another way to show our passion and committment than purchasing gifts or trinkets?

In the South American countries, the concept of Valentine’s Day is fairly new. And while this holiday appeals mainly to couples than friends or relatives, a romantic dinner or a movie night watching a chic flick will do the trick. In Latin America jewelry, flowers and chocolate are not particularly in extreme demand as in the US during those days.

Notwithstanding, as the American culture has cascaded down through developing countries for quite sometime now, people have incorporated the imagery, colors and heart-shaped symbols during that day. Despite of it, purchases don’t remain a major part of the celebration. Instead Valentine’s represent a great opportunity to go out with lovers for dinner, a glass of wine, or a lovely stroll under the moonlight.

At Nativa Store we believe that there is nothing wrong with translating your feelings of love, fidelity, committment or friendship into gifts. However, we strongly believe that those presents better tell your feelings when they have been hand-crafted with love and individual dedication. That is the Nativa Store’s spirit:

Arts & Crafts made with love and passion. One-of a kind products that have been handmade with natural materials by skillful artisans.

Handmade gifts truly carry the meaning the giver wishes to convey to his loved one. They genuinely say “I love you”  in a very eloquent way…don’t you agree?

Happy Valentine’s Day!

That #@*! stain

Lipstick , one of the culprits

Let’s face it, there is no single technique or product that takes care of every spill or spot. However, since some of you requested some help in the process of removing those darn stains from your favorite garments, we will share a list of cleaning products to use.

Use white vinegar to remove coffee stains

Before we list them, it is important to know that it is always important to act quickly for stains on washable garments, while it is best to take those that are nonwashable to a dry cleaner.

• Absorbants -like cornstarch or talcum powder- tend to work well on fresh grease stains. Wait 15 minutes and then scrape off and treat stain.
• Denatured Alcohol is effective at breaking down some stains and evaporates without leaving residue. Ideal for juice and jam stains.
  

  Lemon juice is an effective solution for tea stains on nonwashable fabrics

• Lemon juice and white vinegar (mixed 1:1 with water), are mild bleaches that remove the color left behind by stains. Use a cotton swab to dab them over the stain and place paper towels under the fabric. Ideal for removing lipstick, coffee and tea stains. Note: Chlorine bleach, diluted with water, is to be used only as a last resort.
• Digestants (like Biz, Era Plus or Wisk) contain enzymes that “eat” protein stains like grass, egg or blood. Do not use on silk or wool.

Both of us are always cautious when wearing our garments, however we have had our share of stains and came up with this list of natural solutions.

Our Nativa Store collection has many accessories manufactured by hand with and array of natural materials. Take a look at our 2011 Winter collection and let us know what you think…and don’t forget to share with us your favorite tip on how to get rid of those nasty stains…..

See you soon!

Chaguar, a natural treasure from South America

Copyright www.nativastore.com

For those of you who love organic textures, we want to introduce Chaguar.

A colorful and natural thread commonly used by indigenous tribes of the northern area of Argentina and south of Paraguay. This rough, yet gentle yarn, is hand-woven by the Koya & Wichi tribes to create colorful and durable garments, purses, necklaces, bags and hammocks.

From the chaguar plant, a local bromeliad that grows in their woodland, the artisans get the fibers to prepare the yarn for knitting and weaving. Bark from trees, fresh leaves, flowers and  fruits are later used to

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create the various natural pigments that will color the chaguar fibers.

Red, purple, black, blue, yellow, maroon and sand are the most frequent shades used in these chaguar creations.

Inspired by ancestral symbols, the natives combine forms and tones into a diversity of designs. These communities manufacture an array of accessories and garments that are traded under the Fair Trade principles.

Nativa Store is proud to feature many of these exquisite and colorful creations in our Winter Collection 2011.

Chaguar Sachel - Copyright www.nativastore.com

Take the time to check our site out and discover these ancient treasures. You will surely love them as much as we do!