I'm Carter, the color-loving, travel-loving, textile-hoarding, over-achiever behind WomanShopsWorld. An avid creator, shopper, and traveler, I have always dreamed of opening a boutique of all the things that make my world go 'round. I used to say that this etsy shop is the beginning of my dream, but I realize now that it's more than that: WomanShopsWorld is that dream come true. Being a jewelry designer myself, I am so enchanted with so many types of beads and supplies, that I can't possibly use them all myself. So WomanShopsWorld gives me a chance to play with these goods, handle them, photograph them, and share them with you. I find great joy in curating these crafting supplies that I've gathered here. Each photo session is a magic-filled experience for me. I hope that magic translates and inspires you.

Growing up in a house where my mother spoke French to me, and my father traveled the world while working for the zoo, I have been instilled with a fascination with the world around me, and the people and cultures that make this such a beautiful, colorful place. The art of adornment that is so rich in other cultures has always been my personal preference on style. It's been said that my great-grandmother was the "original hippie of South Carolina." Traveling to India with my native husband, I stumbled upon a land where I am quite certain I have been before, in another life. My fascination with faraway lands runs deep.

My husband and I own a wholesale bead company where we specialize in semi-precious gemstone beads; we have a collective 30+ years in the bead business. We travel frequently to source, design, collect, and bring home beautiful beads from all over the world. We travel mostly to India and Nepal, but we have our eyes on many other horizons and places where we hope to travel. We work directly with the small, family-run business that we purchase from, and help them in continuing their traditional crafts. As our company has grown, it has become less hands-on, and more of a job. That's where etsy comes in!

I created this etsy shop as a way for me to have more hands-on time with the types of beads and supplies that I love. I never imagined that it would turn into a full-time engagement! Selling on etsy allows me to present my goods in a much more creative atmosphere than a traditional website does. I can photograph my items in a style that appeals to me, and really have fun with the presentation. Etsy also also allows for customer interaction, friendship-building, and networking, so it is much more fulfilling than a traditional website.

I donate a portion of my proceeds to human-rights organizations around the world. I am currently donating to V-Day, a global organization dedicated to ending violence against women worldwide. Read more about V-Day here: http://www.vday.org/home. This is my way of giving back some of the gifts that I have been blessed with.
Many people ask if my items are Fair Trade. While I am not certified "Fair Trade," I do guarantee that all of the items that I sell are ethically made. In fact, many of the items that I sell provide work for Indian and Nepalese women who would otherwise have no means of income. So the production of the goods greatly empowers them.

As humans, we create borders and name countries, but I believe we are all one and the same. WomanShopsWorld is an extension of my love of and fascination with humankind, travel, color, and love of the world. I hope you delight in the things I have gathered for you here, from around the world.

Namaste~
Carter

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You can also find WSW all over social media:
Instagram: http://instagram.com/womanshopsworld
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/womanshopsworld/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WomanShopsWorld

Want to know even more?! Follow my journey via my (somewhat neglected) blog....
http://www.womanshopsworld.wordpress.com

Looking for even more gemstones and other natural beads? Check out my other shop:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/BeadWalla

Looking for glass jewelry? Check out some of my handmade goodies here:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/DivaliGlassJewelry?ref=search_shop_redirect