New Catalog

Vegetable Ivory

There is a unique type of Palm tree that grows in the Amazon which produces a nut called Tagua or Vegetable Ivory. The use of this renewable natural material is a sustainable alternative to fine quality animal Ivory. The dark brown skin of the nut can be sanded and carefully polished to achieve the different textures.

The Seeds we use

We use the most durable type of seeds found in the Amazon. Their durability is achieved through a long drying and crafting process. The principal seed or nut used by Close to Earth is the Vegetable Ivory nut.

The Designs

The Close to Earth designs are a combination of exotic shapes found in the Amazon and a modern perspective for an everyday look. With this blend we have created a unique, contemporary and innovative collection that is attractive for woman of any age and all occasions.

Making the jewelry

The creation of the jewelry is a long procedure that begins with the harvesting of the various types of seeds. They are then dried out for many months. Once they are rock-solid and carefully selected they are ready to be processed. This step includes polishing, dying, carving and the creation of the piece.

Why Seed Jewelry?

Natural Materials, Natural Shapes

By using seeds we are capturing nature in its exceptional essence, through a variety of shapes, sizes and designs. The seeds provide an elegant earthy look that explore the array of colors found in nature.

Handmade: Every peace is unique

Although every piece in our line follows the same concept, the carving, dying and crafting, make each piece unique and one of a kind.

Sustainable

Seeds come about naturally without harming or depleting any beings.

Preserve the Environment

By promoting the use of seeds and nuts we are actually assisting the cause of preservation of the environment, since the trees and bushes in which they grow are being preserved and protected.

The Creation of the business

Born and raised in Chile, co founder Jesse Schele grew up in a multicultural family with a Chilean father and American mother. Jesse worked several years as a social worker and then decided to expand his horizons by traveling throughout South America. He traveled for over a year and a half all around the continent, discovering a whole new world of spirituality in the different indigenous cultures that still survive in South America. He became a follower of some of these traditions that were meant to purify the mind, giving him a clear vision of his path; he wanted to share his experience and knowledge and integrate it with our “modern life”, so we could all expand this wisdom and awareness of human kind.

Jesse met Pamela in half way through his trip. When in Colombia, he decided to cross the entire continent back to Chile, by land, to go to his cousin’s wedding. That day he meet Pamela and new at first sight that this was the woman he would build his life and dreams with.

From that day they started to create projects to serve people in many ways. One of their most important dreams was to share culture, spread the wisdom that they have seen, and help sustain the ancient traditions of the indigenous people. They realized that through Arts and Crafts there is a door to open people´s interest to native cultures and their knowledge about Mother Earth.

Close to Earth is a project that is creating a channel through which people can learn more about the connection of human kind with Nature, be it through gifts , practices, music, books, and more. This project is just starting and has much to offer about how we can return to our Planet, our Mother Earth. The business concept is to combine a Social Project with Business prospect, meaning, “Being profitable in a correct way, were everyone, including our planet, benefits”, which is going to be the path of businesses in the 21st Century.

Vision of the company

The vision of Close to Earth is to assist humanity in its expansion of consciousness. This project has been created to inspire a deep appreciation and mutual respect among cultures and Mother Earth and therefore increase harmony and peace throughout the world. We strive to rescue the traditional wisdom of a balanced relationship with the Planet, basic in any culture, and create respect for the Perfect Intelligence of Nature.

Our company is creating a community and a fair trade chain between working people throughout the world (the artisans and artists, entrepreneurs, writers, musicians etc,) and our valuable clients. This way we are building a lasting relationship of mutual support, enhancing the beauty in the culture of our providers and the splendor and light of the people that want to help sustain the culture, buying beautiful, handmade, high quality and earth-friendly products at a fair price.