We began to adjust to a new normal in April, as most of us continued to shelter in place to combat the spread of COVID19. Hunkered down, restricted from travel, we found ourselves glued to our devices, learning new ways to connect to our loved ones. Though this “new normal” has its own unique set of challenges, (dodging zoom bombs, working with kids and pets in our laps, learning to tune out the overwhelming doom and gloom in the news) we found that it allowed us to connect in deeper, more meaningful ways that we hadn’t before. Regardless, suffice to say, most were in a state of suffering in some regard, and in an effort to help lift spirits, we used our resources and got together with our favorite artisans to see what we could do together. Throughout the month we gave away remarkable uplifting pieces that conveyed messages of HOPE and positivity. We named the campaign GIVING HOPE. Read about it HERE and learn more about why the featured items were selected.
While connecting with our designers and artisans, we learned what others were doing to help those in need. A most touching effort came from Brooklyn designer Freida Rothman. Her ongoing STRENGTH Campaign,
which honors the strength and resilience of women Holocaust Survivors via the sales from her inspiring bangle bracelet, made headlines with the Associated Press in April. Sales from the proceeds of the bracelet are donated to the Nachas Family Organization which helps give support to the elderly in NYC – particularly Holocaust survivors.
Listen to the story of these two sisters - incredible women whose message of resilience and hope is an inspiration to all.
We learned all about this wonderful campaign and the response to it during our first ever virtual Trunk Show! We invited VIP subscribers to join us via a Zoom meeting for an afternoon of Strength, Grit and Glamour with Freida Rothman. Freida spent an hour with us talking about her roots, her inspiration and showed us tips and tricks to styling her best selling designs. If you missed it, read the recap here.
We found so much value in our meeting with Freida, that we invited another favorite designer, Finn, creator and head designer of VSA Designs, to come speak to us from her home in San Miguel Mexico! Finn was beyond inspiring - she gave us a tour of her creative space that was jaw dropping gorgeous. Designed by a movie set designer, the space is filled with custom touches and beautiful religious iconography handcrafted from the local artisans. Finn shared her creative process, how to get the most out of our VSA collection and showcased the latest additions to the line, including new Magdalena colors and new delicate charm necklaces to die for. Read highlights of the event here.
While connecting with each other via Zoom and other virtual platforms throughout the month we discovered just how overdue our trips to the salon were! Staring at ourselves in meetings, our needed hair cuts and root touch ups seemed to take center stage. Not to fear, we realized the importance of the art of distraction. Find something to feast your eyes on, and such we found relevance in our timeless blog on how-to layer short necklaces. Read our comprehensive how-to layer guide in our blog post here.
A long time customer favorite at The Giving Tree Gallery, MeditationRings, became a coveted accessory. An elegant statement ring doubles as a respite in a time of anxiety. Spinning the bands on your MeditationRing, even for a few moments, can help restore a sense of calmness & inner peace. The spinning motion helps one channel anxious energy. This idea dates back to ancestral concepts many cultures use to this day. Items such as the Tibetan Prayer Wheel, the Chinese Baoding Balls, and the Greek Worry Beads all were designed for similar stress and anxiety relieving items.
Another great idea for channeling anxiety came from our beloved Houston Llew's wife, Lauren: COLORING! A terrific exercise for all ages, (and if you need proof, just peruse the tables at Barnes and Noble and you'll discover coloring books for adults alongside sets of colored pencils) Houston's team turned a handful of his most positive Spiritiles into coloring sheets. We shared them here. We were honored to get to spend some time with Houston during our virtual Story Hour on April 30th. virtual meetings continued with Houston
Other highlights of the month included a launch of an Uno de 50 capsule collection that explored inspiration from India. Cool pacific blue accents with extra fine detailing is a great look for summer. Available as both a bracelet and an anklet, this piece was the favorite:
Also noteworthy this April was our Spring Clearance push. Our talented designers have lots of great ideas, so we made some steep discounts to make room for the latest and greatest. Check our SALE category for really great value.
We sure hope April showers bring May flowers. We're in it together.
Surviving Covid 19 - An Uplifting Guide | Givingtreegallery.com
