Located high in the in the Guanacaste Mountain range of Costa Rica, Women of the Cloud Forest is a Fair Trade project dedicated to offering opportunities to rural women and their families. The 50 women in the project produce hand-embroidered bags and jewelry made from rainforest seeds. The project allows the women to work at home at their own pace and be able to care for their families.

The women who participate in the project live across the Monteverde region - from "downtown" Santa Elena to two hours away in Cabezeras. Women of the Cloud Forest operates a small Arts Center where women gather together to take free classes in embroidery and produce rainforest seed jewelry.

Hand Embroidered Field Bags

The embroidery classes are geared for both beginners and experts alike with women working together in a communal setting so they can learn from each other.

From birds to butterflies, frogs to insects, the women produce color accurate reproductions of North and Central American species. Each design is lovingly "painted" using single strands of embroidery thread.

After being embroidered the bags are then sent to the homes of our talented seamstresses. This group of women puts on the finishing touches - straps, zippers, pockets, etc. on the bags before they are ready to be shipped to the States.

With over 200 designs, the machine-washable field guide and tote bags are perfect accessories if you are headed out for a walk on the trail or stroll around town.

Rain Forest Seed Jewelry

With hundreds of tree and plant species, Costa Rica is a botanical wonderland. Unfortunately, many of the forests are being cleared for timber and pasture land. Women of the Cloud Forest has created a line of jewelry that celebrates this diversity and provides economic incentives to protect the forests.

Using seeds collected in a sustainable manner from the surrounding forests, stream sides and backyards, the women in the project combine the natural elements with beads, stones and glass to create an ever changing line of jewelry designs. The seeds are used in their natural state, unvarnished and undyed. They are quite durable and last for years.

The final results of this process are naturally beautiful earrings, bracelets, eyeglass cords and necklaces. This affordable jewelry makes for great conversation pieces and is perfect for all occasions.

Thanks

Thanks for visiting our website and your interest in the project. Feel free to contact us with any other questions you might have.

Sincerely,

Amy and Michael Sobkowiak

Co-Founders

Women of the Cloud Forest

3274 Dawson Street

Pittsburgh, PA 15213

412-683-5205

info@womenofthecloudforest.com