Feather your NEST with goodness

Nest is a nonprofit organization that empowers female artists and artisans around the world. Using a unique combination of interest-free microfinance loans, mentoring from established designers, as well as a market in which to sell their crafts, Nest connects women through art, craft and opportunity and helps its loan recipients create successful small businesses.

Nest's approach is to assist women through “microbartering” by providing women, or cooperatives of women, with loans that allow them to purchase the supplies, training, bazaar space or raw materials needed to make their crafts. However, rather than requiring repayment in cash, Nest encourages women to repay their loans in product, which Nest then markets and sells in the United States. Many beautifully crafted pieces by these loan recipients are available in their online store (see "Shop Loan Recipients") and at selected retail outlets. One of my favorite picks is this Green Dot Bowl (US$35), which combines simple, modern design to an otherwise traditional piece of pottery, hand-made in Mexico by loan recipient Herlinda Morales.

Nest also partner with domestic designers, who offer exclusive pieces sold on their online store (see "Collections"), with the proceeds going to fund additional artisans. These designers also mentor Nest's loan recipients, giving them valuable business, marketing and design advice. In this way, Nest has created a community of artists helping artists, and women helping women, the world over.

One of my favorite picks from Nest's domestic designer Collection are Wabisabi Green's EcoArt Pillows - Rosette (US$68, top) and Lotus Blossom (US$68, right). These bold, modern graphic pillows (18" square) are made soft 100% organic cotton cover, designed, handprinted and fabricated in the USA with environmentally safe water-based inks and hypoallergenic insert made of plastic bottles rescued from landfills. Could you possibly fill any more goodness into these pillows?

You could most certainly feather your nest with these beautifully designed products and support women artisans around the world!

RxArt - Prescription for Philanthropy

RxArt is a New York City based non-profit organization committed to fostering artistic expression and awareness by engaging patients through contemporary art in healthcare facilities. Founded by its Executive Director, Diane Brown holds the belief in arts ability to not only transcend but to transform its viewers. By curating installations in hospital settings, RxArt provides a creative surrounding that helps to relieve stress and anxiety, while increasing appreciation for contemporary art. "Art de-institutionalizes what are often sterile and alienating environments by providing a humanistic and creative surrounding which helps to relieve the stress and anxiety of patients, families and staff. It provides a psychological escape from healthcare difficulties and inspires improved morale and hope for all."

To support RxArt, you can add to your art collection one of many paintings, drawings and other one-of-a-kind art pieces by contemporary artists sold through their online store which range from US$750 to $15,000. If you're not yet an avid art collector but eager to find a unique gift that gives back to this worthy cause, you will love this limited edition puzzle created from Dan Colen's image of gum wrappers entitled "Rock! Paper! Scissors! Sh..." "No! No! No! Scissors! Rock! Paper! Shoot" (2007) (US$75 unsigned in 250 or child-friendly 35 pieces; or $250 signed in 250 pieces). Ok, the name alone makes me a littler happier. We should all take two of those... and see how much better we feel in the morning.