CraftedbyFriends
Announcement MORE THAN EVER, our artisans need your help. We are the only source of income for them with the Covid-19 situation. All proceeds are going to them. We have a good inventory at this time, but we have learned for the time being that no more shipments are possible from the countries where they live. PLEASE CONSIDER purchasing ahead for holidays and special events. THANK YOU!
Announcement
MORE THAN EVER, our artisans need your help. We are the only source of income for them with the Covid-19 situation. All proceeds are going to them. We have a good inventory at this time, but we have learned for the time being that no more shipments are possible from the countries where they live. PLEASE CONSIDER purchasing ahead for holidays and special events. THANK YOU!
Items
All Items
Reviews
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Beth on Feb 16, 2021
5 out of 5 starsIt's simply gorgeous. It arrived as quickly as could be what with postal slowdowns due to Covid. Seller shipped quickly so no fault of theirs. Love this scarf!
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Jessica on Jan 30, 2021
5 out of 5 starsAbsolutely gorgeous and just as pictured (as are the three brass candle holders I purchased) - I'm so impressed. Shipped safely and quickly. I highly recommend this shop.
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AllisonAndersen1966 on Dec 16, 2020
5 out of 5 starsThe mezuzah is beautiful, exactly as pictured. We’re delighted!
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April on Nov 23, 2020
5 out of 5 starsNice scarf! Color is much more black than I thought it would be.
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About CraftedbyFriends
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Nilson crafting the jewelry you see on our page from his his Rio de Janeiro shop
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This is the village from Madagascar where the Silk Scarves are made.
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These are some on the women who create the Cashmere scarves in Afghanistan
Style with a Story
Crafted by Friends is an online boutique where you will find one-of-a-kind jewelry, accessories, and home accents made by remarkable individuals from all over the world; it is style with a story. We are driven by a commitment to helping others, creating connections between people, and highlighting the beauty that exists around the world.
More Info:
Philip entered the retail world with no retail experience. In 2005 he started Beleza, a women’s accessories boutique in Cameron Village in Raleigh, NC which has now evolved into Crafted by Friends, an online business. His background is in education. He taught high school for about twenty years before moving to NC State University, where he eventually retired from the College of Textiles after serving as Director of Admissions and Advising for almost twenty years. In this role he met Kyley Schmidt, a student majoring in Textile Design. Kyley ultimately joined the Peace Corps and was sent to Madagascar where she worked with a village of women who made remarkable silk scarves and shawls starting with the cocoons, a labor intensive process requiring incredible skills. She contacted Philip about helping her develop a market for these products, which was the beginning of his work in fair trade practices around the world.
His extensive world travels introduced him to a number of artisans whose products were outstanding and who, like the women in Madagascar, needed a larger market to sell their products. He soon opened Beleza to provide a market and to bring remarkable products to the USA. He was joined in the effort by his wife, Sara, who married him on September 9, 2006, almost a year after he had opened Beleza. Sara soon took over management of the store and developed it into a destination shopping location for their customers. This business was closed and then Crafted by Friends began on line.
Shop members
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Philip and Sara
Owner
Philip and Sara have a long history of serving and helping others. For a more complete story of their lives, please check here. https://craftedbyfriends.com/about-us/our-story/
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Richard Hanson
Marketer, Web Designer
Richard works to make sure Crafted By Friends has fresh content, is available on the multiple formats, and serves its purpose of providing a means in which artisans can sell their amazing products to an international market
Production partners
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Flying Scarfs
Afghanistan
Flying Scarfs is an organization started by Air Force pilots stationed in Afghanistan as a means of helping war widows take care of their families. These scarves are hand beaded by the women with whom the pilots work. 100% of the profits are is returned to the women.
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Nilson de Assis Malagahes
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Nilson works with his community to provide jobs and support as a local merchant. He is often involved in community service providing food and medical care to less fortunate. He is a skilled artisan doing this work for more than 25 years. He is a man of moderate means and is by no means wealthy.
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Osmanli Taki
Turkey
My wife and I found this amazing group of people while on vacation in Istanbul. We decided to help them increase their sales in the USA.
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Metal Art from Haiti
Haiti
TWCH maintains an orphanage in Haiti and works with locals to market their products, including art work made from recycled metal. The purpose is to assist in providing funds for needed resources for living in challenging conditions.
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Village of Soatana
Madagascar
Over fifteen years ago, one of my former textile design students from NC State University, joined the Peace Corp and was placed on Madagascar. She introduced my to a village of women who make raw silk scarves. We engage in fair trade with them. Read more about them at www.craftedbyfriends.com.
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Women of Hope
San Juan Sacatepéquez, Guatemala
Tina Wade Osuna left the USA to work in Guatemala over 10 years ago to empower women. She and her husband, Giovanni, work tirelessly to advocate for women and children providing resources, funds for education, and guiding them in work making beaded items for sale among other things.
Shop policies
Shipping
Payment options
Returns & exchanges
I gladly accept returns
I don't accept exchanges or cancellations
The following items can't be returned or exchanged
- Custom or personalized orders
- Items on sale
I accept returns I do not accept returns
I accept exchanges I do not accept exchanges
I accept cancellations I do not accept cancellations
Because of the nature of these items, unless they arrive damaged or defective, I can't accept returns for: