We have created a limited number of eco-friendly vegan gift sets. Arriving wrapped in tissue paper and boxed in recycled cardboard, these vegan-friendly and waste conscious gifts are perfect end-of-term teacher gifts, or for treating mums, grandmothers, daughters, girlfriends, wives and bridesmaids.
**Please note that the significant price reduction is possible as these sets utilise surplus stock from large-scale bespoke orders. The cost of discounting products is always absorbed by AURA QUE and not by the fair trade producers we work with.**
The eco-friendly PEMA scarf (L195xW35) features a loose weave and tasselled ends; the natural texture is machine washable and becomes increasingly fluid and silky with wear. The JANGALI necklace (60cm loop) is made from recycled glass beads and slips over the head with no fastening. The cheery FULI handbag mirror (7.7cm) utilises offcuts of the print cotton fabric used for our Kaffe Fassett collaboration - every piece is unique! Our UK-printed postcards are made from recycled paper and are printed with 'Namaste', a Nepalese greeting which means 'an expression of appreciation and respect to one another' - this is our mantra. There is a space at the cart stage for you to let us know the gift message you would like us to send with your order. No pricing information is included in orders with gift messages.
Our sustainable banana fibre is produced from the waste foliage of the banana plant, grown in the Terai flat farming area of South Nepal. The plant has to be cut back after the fruit harvest so that it regrows for the next season, so trading this waste product provides an extra income to the farmers. We only use azo-free dyes for our banana fibre. Small imperfections in the weave due to the rustic handweaving process add character to each piece. The woven scarves reveal their silky softness after their first wash. Banana yarn is suitable for vegans and is an ideal alternative for those who suffer wool allergies. Read our blog post about how we use banana fibre here. AURA QUE have been working with Deepchand's workshop in Bhaktapur, Nepal for over a decade. The workshop employs local women who work flexible hours near their homes enabling them to earn an income around their family commitments. They prepare the looms, spin the bobbins and hand weave the fabric for our bags and in a looser weave for our scarves.
The beautiful handmade recycled glass beads are produced from crushed bottles and jars, using techniques passed down through the generations. They are made in the south of Nepal on the border with India. The traditional glass bead necklaces are worn by women in the hill and mountain regions in Nepal. The macrame cotton thread is strong and decorative at the back, with the necklaces being long enough to put on without needing a fastening. Macrame is a form of textile produced using knotting techniques. Handmade by artisans in rural Nepal. The production is coordinated by a small Nepalese workshop affiliated with the Nepal Leprosy Trust, who employ marginalised people, giving them opportunities through work; the relationship with AURA QUE dates back to 2006.
The mirror is constructed in our AURA QUE studio in Hastings, UK. Always looking for new ways to reduce waste, we give even the smallest off-cuts from the fabrics used to make our products a chance to become something beautiful and useful. The components for our hand mirrors are made in the UK. Made from high quality finely woven 68s cotton. The fabric has a smooth silky feel which is very different to our textured handwoven cottons. The screen-printing is a labour intensive process due to the 13 colours required to create Kaffe Fassett's artisan design! AURA QUE has collaborated with Kaffe Fassett, working with his artisanal fabric to produce contemporary accessories handmade by fair trade producers in Vietnam. Read our blog post about our collaboration with Kaffe Fassett here.
All efforts are made to present products accurately, but lighting, background and models impact perception of colours and sizes. We are happy to provide tailored answers to queries prior to purchase, to ensure this product is right for your needs and to minimise the chances of a return.
