Jute and Jackfruit’s Hottest New Addition: Soda-cap Handbags by Escama Studio

Jute & Jackfruit is very excited to announce our newest handbag partner, Escama Studio. Escama is responsible for making truly eco-chic handbags, the newest hottest eco-handbags on the market. Escama soda pull-tab handbags meet our toughest standards with a triple bottom line: (1) good for the environment, (2) good for the people who made them and (3) great for you—simply gorgeous.

Escama handbags meet these criteria, and we are very excited to be selling them. We nearly sold out of our collection at our first event selling them (at Design Hive), but were lucky enough to get more bags from Escama.

Based out of San Francisco, Escama Studio supports Brazilian women’s co-operatives to create “sleek, modern pieces [that] are wearable works of art that adapt traditional crochet techniques with recycled aluminum pull-tabs.”

Escama handbags and belts are not only very chic, but they fuel the recycling market AND support Brazilian communities in need. The result is a triple bottom line effect for a truly high impact purchase. Hand woven using recycled aluminum soda cap pull tabs and crocheted together into stylish designs, the bags provide an opportunity for women to take pride in their work, and feel good about what they are making. The bags reduce the impact on landfills, while providing a stable source of income to support the Brazilian women’s families. What more could one ask for?

Escama not only pays their workers a fair wage, but also work to better the general environment of their workers. For instance, Escama ensures future opportunities for the community of their employees by donating a portion of their sales to providing computers, furniture and educational training to them.

The growing demand for Escama products worldwide has translated into greater employment opportunities for artisans (number of employees has increased from 12 to 100 in just four years!), as well as Escama’s ability to guarantee a brighter future for the greater Brazilian community. Escama’s popularity has led to the influential Oprah Winfrey acknowledging the value of their products by putting them on her list of Top Ten Great Gifts for under $100 in O Magazine’s O List (Holiday Edition)

Escama emphasizes the artisans and their role in the making of each product. By having each woman artisan sign every product she completes, they allow her to leave her mark on the product forever. This also allows the consumer and artisan to feel directly connected, as consumers can then go to the Escama website and see read about the woman artisan who made their product, and understand how their purchase has bettered her life.

Escama bags are all made from recycled aluminum pull-tabs crocheted with skill into chic handbags, purses and belts. All bags featured in this article have zip closure, and silver fabric interiors.

One of our Amelia bags’ was made by Maria do Carmo Ferreira de Souza. The Amelia mini-purse has a pull-tab chain handle and is 6 “ L x 5 ” H x 1” D. The Amelia bag is a great accessory for any outfit, and allows you to wear your values on your wrist…or shoulder!

Our Lenilda handbag should bag drop with a chain strap was crafted by Danubia Matutino Santana. It is 9” L x 4” H x 1” D. This bag is the perfect size for looking classy when going out on the town!

Our stylish Red “Chica Rosa” mini-clutch was made by woman artisan Aurizete das Gracas Coelho Batista. This bag is fun and chic, and perfect for any outing!

To read more about these women artisans and others, see Escama’s website ( http://www.escamastudio.com/who_made_this.html). Jute & Jackfruit is happy to welcome Escama products aboard and work together to help artisans around the world prosper!