Description

Aasha means hope in Hindi. Aasha is a 100% sustainable jewelry line made by an artisan group of economically disadvantaged women. Using discarded saris and wrapping them over small wooden beads these women are able to create a very unique and colorful collection of jewelry. The wooden beads are scraps sourced from furniture factories nearby, and the fabric used to cover them comes from old, worn saris, collected all over India! No two beads will be the same.
Profits play a pivotal role in advancing the economic empowerment of women and their families.

Anju’s passion for jewelry and design ignited at an early age, nurtured by the vibrant and culturally rich surroundings of Rajasthan, India. In 1993, Anju and Gaurav Agarwal invested in their future by relocating to the United States.

Anju harnessed her keen eye for beauty and creativity to craft jewelry, which she began selling at local craft fairs. During a visit back to her homeland, Anju encountered a group of talented but struggling artisans who faced the challenge of inconsistent work. It was this encounter that spurred Anju’s decision to collaborate with these artisans and relocate the manufacturing process to India, ensuring a steady source of employment. Remarkably, more than 12 years later, Anju continues to work with this same group of artisans, alongside many others, and their quality of life has seen significant improvement. Each piece of jewelry or bag is handcrafted by these amazing and talented artisans.

Anju’s exposure to diverse cultures has been a perennial wellspring of inspiration, which materializes in her distinctive design concepts. At Anju, our mission is to create one-of-a-kind, hand-crafted products that seamlessly blend traditional craftsmanship with contemporary trends. Through these collaborations with artisan groups, we extend economic opportunities to these talented individuals and their families. This takes place within an environment that not only supports their cultural heritage and creative expression but also adheres to the principles of fair trade.