Looking for the perfect, sustainably-made gift for Mother’s Day? We are here to help! We have carefully curated our favorite gift for your mom based on her unique interests. Our hope is that every mom can feel touched by receiving a handcrafted, beautiful item that supports mothers and artisans here in Haiti. 

For the Home Decorator - Wall Basket Set 

This is one of our favorite pieces for the boho mamas in your life! Place it on the wall to act as an art piece, hang a trio of three above a bed to look like a headboard, or use it as a centerpiece at the middle of a dining table, placing flowers or dish-ware on top. If your mom loves Anthropologie, World Market or a good DIY project, this piece is a perfect gift. 

For the Entertainer - Wood Salad Bowl with Serving Utensils

This beautiful wooden salad bowl is food safe and ready to hold all of your mom’s delicious recipes! It’s been crafted from mango wood, and showcases unique horn details. Hand carved by Mr. Lafond and his team, this bowl and the artful serving utensils to match are both unique in design, as they offer up a beautiful handmade aesthetic. Gorgeous on anyone's table!  

For the Gardener - Zwazo Plant Stakes

If your mom is often in the garden or even bringing the garden indoors, she will fall in love with these whimsical plant stakes. The set of two birds can be placed in the ground outdoors, or in any potted plant inside the home, leave it up to her to decide! The best part about this gift is that it repurposed oil drums by recycling them into beautiful hand-chiseled decor items, crafted by our amazing artisans. 

For the Trendsetter - Stania Necklace

Is your mom a bit more stylish? She will love this on-trend necklace made from polymer clay, gold plated brass beads, and finished off with a fresh water pearl statement! This is a great piece to layer with other necklaces for a more dynamic look, or allow it to be the focal point by pairing it with a simple white blouse. It will add an elegant pop to any look! Its beautiful name was inspired by its maker, a Vi Bella artisan named Stania. 

For the Spiritual Mother - Marie Necklace

Crafted after the best-selling Faith Necklace, our Marie necklace is similar, but silver! This is an everyday piece, that once your mother puts it on, it’s probable that she won’t take it off. That’s a good gift! The name of the piece celebrates the many Maries who make up the wonderful ViBella teams in both Haiti and Mexico!

For the Boho Mom - Loraine Earrings

These gorgeous earrings that are swirled with shades of black, brown, tan, and ivory are made from ethically sourced cow horns that talented Haitian artisans make their livelihood off of. The horn is shaped into and then polished, allowing the makers to create stunning earrings that are both on trend, and timeless. Any mothers who appreciate creativity, repurposing, and unique designs will love these Loraine Earrings! 

For the Bag Lover - Julia in Blush

The pockets on this bag is exactly what the style of organization your mom deserves! The Julia Crossbody has a 100% cotton adjustable strap and inside pocket for things that are maybe a bit more important. The outer pocket is exactly where she can place items that she needs in a quick moment, like her keys or phone. This is a newer item for Spring 2022, and comes in a few other colors and patterns for whichever suits your mom best! 

Though many of us think of Valentine’s Day as a holiday meant for couples, we want to encourage you to celebrate all of the special friends and family in your life this month. Whether it’s through gift giving, letter writing, or quality time spent together, showing love and celebrating can take on many forms! If you’re looking for a little gift inspiration, we have got you covered! 

Kicking things off with our Amada Collection, the pieces below feature 14kt gold filled and silver/sterling silver filled components paired with gemstones. These earrings and necklaces are elegant in design, neutral and lightweight, making them effortless and easy to wear. The Amada Collection is ethically made by talented Vi Bella artisans in Mexico, and is named after the Spanish meaning of Amada which trabslates to, “beloved.” This special collection is perfect for the occasion.

The Charlotte Earrings

These classic, silver earrings are a favorite to gift for any holiday or special occasion. They are timeless and can easily be dressed up or down. This is a great option for ladies with sensitive ears! They are made from high quality sterling silver. 

The Lily Necklace

The Lily Necklace features stunning herkimer diamonds on a 14 kt gold filled chain. The high energy crystals make a great alternative to traditional diamonds with their dazzling shine and ethical mining practices. Talk about the perfect Valentine's Day gift!

The Polly Necklace

This necklace is perfect for the more traditional women in your life. It is subtle, timeless and features a gorgeous freshwater pearl to make just the right amount of a statement. You can't go wrong with The Polly Necklace. 

The Millie Necklace

The Millie Necklace features hand-hammered silver pendants and semi-precious stones creating a long dainty piece with just the right amount of color. On a sterling silver chain, perfect by itself or paired with a shorter silver necklace. 

The Rose Earrings

If you’re looking for a thoughtful gift for someone who likes to wear a little more color, these Rose Earrings are a lovely option! The gorgeous hexagon hoops are plated in 18K gold and are decorated in brick red jade beads which have been hand wrapped by our talented team of jewelry artisans. The Rose Earrings are named after one of our amazing designers, Marie Rose, who has been with us from the very beginning! 

The Embrace Earrings

We can’t help but include The Embrace Earrings, just based off the name alone! Each pair of earrings takes hours of work, really detailing the amazing work our Haitian artisans are capable of! Gift these to a loved one knowing that your purchase has not only blessed your family and friends, but our team and their own loved ones. 

Metal Heart Set

If you were hoping to get creative on Valentine's Day, we have a gifting option that is perfect for the women in your life who love to decorate! The Metal Heart Set is cut and chiseled from recycled oil drums, making something beautiful from something that would just be thrown away. Choose from natural metal or a set that’s finished in gold metallic paint. If you’re throwing a Valentines Day party this is the perfect touch to your space, after the party hang it over a door or near a gallery wall for year round styling.

We hope you find something here for your loved ones this month, and maybe that special someone just happens to be you! 

If you’re trying to have a holly jolly Christmas without the stress of gift-buying, we are here to help! This gift guide is perfectly suited for all of your holiday needs for all the people in your life. We have hand-selected six different pieces of jewelry that are sure to delight your loved ones. Each piece is hand-crafted by artisans in Haiti and Mexico and your purchases help us further our mission and widen our reach while providing employment to our wonderful artisans.

Liane Necklace

For the minimalist in your life, choose this gorgeous Liane Necklace. Simplicity at its finest, this necklace consists of a gold disc on a gold plated chain. Undoubtedly, you will wear this continuously. Love this piece, but not really a jewelry minimalist? Add this in with your layering pieces!

Yolande Earrings

Talk about stunners! The fun Yolande Earrings are black and pearl acetate swirled on an open rectangle shape on a brass stud. They are the perfect gift for the person in your life who is the life of the party.

Amboise Bracelet

This is a bracelet perfect for someone who already has staple jewelry pieces - like necklaces and earrings - and they want to have an addition that won’t clash with the rest. The asymmetry of the gold-plated beads will go perfectly with every outfit you wear. Dress it up or dress it down, you can’t go wrong with this pick. 

Faith Necklace

If you’re shopping for the Christian women in your life, turn to The Faith Necklace for a dainty, yet meaningful piece. Wear this piece with pride, as each purchase is with purpose. Christmas is a time to reflect on the many blessings we have.

Natacha Bracelet

For someone who’s got a little bit of feistiness, this bracelet is the one or her! This on-trend chunky gold bracelet easily elevates your style. Perfect as a stand-alone piece or as the anchor piece for stacking, she’ll be wearing this bracelet non-stop.

As many of you know, Haiti was hit by yet another massive earthquake that has devastated families and communities across the island. So many were impacted by the unthinkable. Please keep the people of Haiti in your prayers as many are struggling to rebuild their lives. If you feel called to donate, we want to provide you with some donation opportunities with organizations that we know are doing excellent work. 

Most of our artisans live in or around Port-Au-Prince, where the earthquake was strongly felt, however, did not appear to have done any major damage. Please pray for our artisans, though, as many still deal with after-effects from the earthquake in 2010 that left many of them with PTSD and amputated limbs from being trapped under rubble.

Give Hope Global, a good friend and partner to Vi Bella, provides for the basic needs of 250 children in two student villages near the town of Les Cayes, where the earthquake did the most damage.  Here is what they share, "Though none of our buildings collapsed, we cannot reoccupy them until the aftershocks have stopped and the buildings have been inspected by a qualified engineer.  As a result, our students and staff are all sleeping outside in whatever shelter we can provide. Our team on the ground is working steadily to insure the welfare of those we are responsible for and to position us to help as many more as we can.  We are also working with other relief organizations to optimize our impact."

We can't help but question just how much one country can take.  This comes just a little over a month after the assassination of Haiti's President and yesterday, Tropical Storm Grace hit the island as many were newly homeless from the earthquake and struggled to find shelter from the pelting rain and wind.  

We encourage any of our friends who would like to help to donate to Give Hope Global's relief efforts by texting haitiearthquake to 44-321 or by clicking this link.  

Mission of Hope Haiti. This organization has a provide track record with disaster response in Haiti. "Our Haitian Assessment Team is on the ground in the affected region and our medical team is assembled and helping those in need.

As the largest non-governmental healthcare provider in Haiti, Partners in Health immediately began organizing staff and supplies to respond. Click here to donate to their relief efforts.

Thank you for your ongoing support of our friends in Haiti. They need it now more than ever.

We will be celebrating Vi Bella’s 10th year of providing jobs in Haiti and Mexico with some fun events this month and next! All month long, stop in to our boutique at 24 19th St SW in Sioux Center during normal business hours (Tuesday - Thursday from 10am to 4pm) to register for weekly giveaways, including gift cards to other local businesses.  Then, make sure to join us for these special events:

Wednesday, June 30th - Nicole Baart Book Signing from 3pm-6pm. She will be available for Q/A's and a short reading at the top of the hours of 4pm and 5pm. Serving LIZZY’S Sweet Treats.  Vi Bella’s 10th Anniversary Sale with items $10 and under.

About the Author - Nicole Baart wants to live in a world filled with handwritten letters, New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, and great conversation. 

A critically acclaimed novelist, Nicole’s work has been featured as a Midwest Connections book pick, nominated for a Christy Award, and earned a starred and featured review from Publishers Weekly. In 2011 she co-authored a book that debuted at #4 on the New York Times bestseller list.

Nicole is also the co-founder of a non-profit organization, One Body One Hope, that partners with a sisterhood of churches and orphanages in Monrovia, Liberia. An adoption advocate and the mother of four children from four different countries, Nicole speaks on a variety of topics ranging from orphan care to parenthood to books and the writing process. 

Wednesday, July 7th - Jennifer Dukes Lee Book Signing from 3pm-7pm.  Serving LIZZY’S Sweet Treats.  Vi Bella’s 10th Anniversary Sale continues with lots of items $10 and under!

About the Author - "I'm a big fan of dark chocolate, emojis, eighties music, bright lipstick, and Netflix binges. My husband and I are raising crops, pigs, a herd of cats, and two beautiful humans on the Lee family farm in Iowa.

I'm the author of Growing Slow, which includes a companion Bible study. My other books: It's All Under Control, The Happiness Dare, and Love Idol.

I'm a journalist at heart. I used to cover crime, politics, and natural disasters as a news reporter for metropolitan daily newspapers. Now, I use my reporting skills to chase after the biggest story ever: the redemptive story of Christ."

We hope to see you there!

Mother's Day is quickly approaching and we want to help you choose the perfect gift for mom, grandma, or even your daughter to show some love! As a female owned and operated business, Mother's Day is very close to our hearts here at Vi Bella. It is a time to spread joy, show love and appreciate the women who have raised us and taught us how to raise our own families. We have prepared a list of our favorite pieces for every kind of mom. Gift something meaningful this Mother's Day. She deserves it!

For The Mother Who Loves a Good Statement Piece 

The Embrace Earrings are an intricate, gorgeous, hand-beaded piece from our all new Spring Collection. They are handmade in Haiti by our talented artisan teams and trust us, this piece is no small feat to create! Each pair takes hours to delicately craft, showcasing incredible skill. These earrings are a must for the mom who loves to make a statement and has an appreciation for a more boho look. 

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For The Trendy Mom

The Marina Earrings have quickly become one of our most popular spring 2021 styles and we can see why! Dainty, gold, jewelry is incredibly on trend this season and the authentic aquamarine beads add the perfect touch of color. This spin on a classic, gold hoop makes for the perfect gift for the mom who loves to stay on top of current jewelry and fashion trends.

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For The Spiritual Mom

We are loving The Faith Necklace this spring. It is perfect for moms whose faith is at the top of their priority list! Whether she works in ministry, is involved in her local bible study, or just can't get enough devotional time, this necklace is a great gift option for Christian women this Mother's Day. 

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 For The Bag Lady

Let's be honest. Every mom needs a good tote bag and we don't just mean any tote bag. She needs a durable, quality tote that can take her from errands to school pickup without a flaw. The Anna Tote checks all the boxes. Not only is it versatile and won't take away from any outfit she chooses, but it is made from a recycled polyester canvas that is made from discarded plastic water bottles. Not only will she look good, but she can feel good knowing she is keeping the oceans just a little bit cleaner with her sustainable, eco-friendly tote from Vi Bella. 

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For The Gardener

Mother's Day comes at a great time, especially here in the midwest, for gardening! Spring is in full swing by early May, making it a great season for gifting garden supplies and tools for Mother's Day. Go above and beyond your standard trip to the hardware store for new gardening gloves and kneeling mats. Gift her one, or both of our garden stakes. The Annie Garden Stake comes in yellow and The Madilyn Garden Stake features a bright, pink flower. These garden accessories are made from recycled oil drums found off the coast of Haiti, so you can feel good knowing you are making a positive impact not only on her garden, but on the environment too! 

Shop Yellow 

Shop Pink

For The Classic Mom

Our Perfect Pearls Set continues to be a best-seller, especially for the ladies who like to keep things classic and timeless. Both the necklace and earrings feature freshwater pearls and silver accents. You can't go wrong with this gift set!

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With the launch of our Spring Collection, we have decided to feature five of our best-selling pieces that we believe every woman can benefit from having in her wardrobe. Spring is the perfect time to add new, fair trade accessories to your closet. We always recommend starting with a quick spring cleaning of your jewelry box. Donate accessories that you don't wear as much as you'd like and make room for new ethically-made jewelry that will see plenty of wear all spring and summer long. 

The Faith Necklace

Simple and dainty, but filled with meaning, the Faith Necklace is quickly becoming a fan favorite! The perfect way to keep your faith close to your heart while also being fashionable. The Faith necklace is easily layerable and versatile. She can be worn with jeans and a t-shirt or dressed up with a blazer for a more professional look. Featuring a genuine 925 sterling silver cross charm plated in 18kt gold on a 18-20 adjustable chain, this beauty is handmade with love by Haitian artisans.

> Click Here to Shop

The Marina Earrings

Every fashionista knows the key to a successful accessory collection is a good hoop earring. The Marina Earrings are a fun twist on this classic style with their unique hexagon shape and the aquamarine stones. This lightweight style is perfect for spring and summer. Another versatile piece in the collection, these earrings can easily be dressed up for a more polished look, or styling with your favorite basic tee for an everyday look. 

> Click Here to Shop

The Zara Earrings

The contrast of metal and turquoise in the Zara Earrings is what make them the perfect statement piece for spring. Surprisingly lightweight, they can go from morning until evening, adding the perfect pop of springtime flair. These earrings are each uniquely handmade and are a beautiful display of the talent and dedication of the Vi Bella artisan team in Mexico.

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The Estelle Necklace

Paperclip chains, like the Estelle Necklace, are a must-have in every jewelry collection. Not only is she all the rage and perfectly on-trend this spring, but she is one of the most versatile pieces in the Spring Collection. Easily paired with a shorter necklace like the Felicity, she even looks great in a mixed metal look, like the Hudson Necklace.

> Click Here to Shop

The Leopard Tote

The Leopard Tote is an easy companion for every adventure a girl could encounter, whether that’s a trip to the beach or to the grocery store. Made by the Vi Bella artisan team in Haiti from donated deadstock material, it makes use of unwanted fabric that would otherwise be discarded. If you’re in the market for a sustainable tote that will make you look good while you feel good, this little guy is the ticket.

> Click Here to Shop 

The Dalguens Crossbody

The Dalguens Crossbody is made from recycled polyester canvas sewn from discarded plastic bottles by our friends in North Carolina. It is named after the head of the Vi Bella Haitian sewing team, Dalguen. The fact that he is deaf and blind in one eye hasn't stopped him from designing gorgeous bags. It’s the perfect size to keep everything organized and contained, while still being compact. A sustainable bag with a great backstory, what more could you ask for?

> Click Here to Shop

Scrunchie Sets

As any good fashion trend tends to do, scrunchies have made a full comeback. They are an efficient way to add a pop of color to your outfit, while keeping your hair away and neck cool. Coming in many different colors and patterns, these handsewn staples are perfectly on trend and ready to join all the sunshine adventures ahead.

> Click Here to Shop

We have begun launching our Spring 2021 Collection and we are very excited to share it with you. At Vi Bella, our accessories are handmade in Haiti and Mexico by our talented team of artisans. All of our products are fair trade and provide meaningful employment opportunities to our artisans across the globe. Take a peek at a few of our favorite pieces from the collection.

The Zara Earrings

Made in Mexico by Vi Bella artisans, the Zara earrings will become your new go-to. They are hand-crafted with antiqued gold and African turquoise, making them a subtle, elegant statement piece. Make sure you snag these beauties before your next date night! They look great with a white oversized blouse, dark denim and your favorite pair of wedges. While they are great to wear out on the town, they are also the perfect piece to dress up morning coffee runs, grocery store trips and Zoom calls. You can’t go wrong! Click here to add them to your cart today.

The Delight Necklace

If you’re looking to add a dainty element to your jewelry collection, look no further than the Delight Necklace. Featuring a 16k gold plated Cubic Zirconia pave starburst, this necklace is the perfect pop of bling for minimalists. It comes with a 16-18” extender chain so she can easily be layered with other necklaces too! Click here to add this beauty to your collection today, don’t miss out.

She Believed Accessory Bag

Our “She Believed” Accessory Bag makes organizing your tote bag, and therefore your life, a breeze. It’s the perfect size to help you keep track of the little items floating around your bag, letting you spend less time digging around and more time conquering the world. The best part? This bag is handmade by our artisans in Haiti and is printed locally in Iowa with direct-to-garment printing, a less wasteful alternative to screen printing. Add to your cart as the perfect gift for goal-getting women in your life!

Olivia Earrings

We believe no jewelry collection is complete without head-turning, statement earrings. Hand strung by Vi Bella artisans in Haiti, the Olivia Earrings are unique and beautiful. The best part? They are actually super lightweight too! Paired with a dainty necklace such as the Felicity, your polished and fashionable look is complete. Click here to purchase your pair today. We have a feeling these will be hard to keep in stock.  

Felicity Necklace

Speaking of the Felicity Necklace, she is another must-have dainty necklace for your collection. This simple brass bar is hand-stamped by artisans in Haiti to create one-of-a-kind texture and shine for each necklace. Layered or on her own, the Felicity Necklace is as versatile as she is unique and beautiful. Click here to order one for yourself!

Fredane traces her fingers along the banister of the porch. Her home is tucked back from the primary road in Simonette that leads down to the shore of the ocean. Outside, on the main stretch, a few men gather around a rickety old table playing dominos. They cackle as one slaps down a single piece on the wooden surface as another takes a swig of his cold Prestige. Nearby, a woman sits on an upturned 5-gallon bucket, her face rests in the palm of her right hand, fatigue taunting her tired eyes. Beside her is a cart where she sells a mix of fried foods—plantains, breadfruit, chicken legs, and pork. Only remnants remain this late in the afternoon. A few children run across the gravel, barefoot, kicking a soccer ball. I’m constantly amazed that the sharpness of the rocks beneath their small feet never seem to phase them one bit.

But here, at Fredane’s, it’s much quieter, nestled amongst the foliage—lush palm trees and natural beauty that’s often overlooked in the concrete cities. The birds sing a soft melody and I find that this environment is rather fitting to Fredane’s demeanor. Though we’ve only just formally met, her sweet, inviting spirit does not go unnoticed. I am certain she has faced more adversity than I can even begin to comprehend, but her face is kind, the tone of her voice is hopeful, and she graciously offers to share a bit of her story with in this place she calls home.

The familiarity of this community is what she’s known her whole life. Simonette, a small beach town just north of the capital, Port-au-Prince, is where she grew up with her family. She tells me her parents were married, an anomaly in a culture where marriage is not as common as it is in Western societies.

They did everything together, she reassures me. She lifts her right hand and crosses her index and middle finger together, a universal sign of closeness. But both of her parents died within the past decade, her dad in 2012 and her mom in 2017. And she misses them both.

Fredane continues to elaborate on their camaraderie. It set the bar for what she expected in her own romantic relationship. Though she never married, she had four children with her partner. They shared eighteen years together until he left her in 2010 for another woman.

He really hurt me, she tells me. And I don’t doubt this.

I try to imagine what it must have been like, to have watched her parents’ example and to have shared such an intimate relationship for so many years only to be betrayed. I begin to realize that Fredane values honest connection and that we, as people, are not so different after all.

Since then, she has preferred to be alone, perhaps to protect her heart from being broken and to give her kids the attention they need.

Fredane gets up from where she is sitting on the porch and leads me to a house around this corner. A group of children gather on the front steps, laughing and shouting, as most kids do. They’ve just returned home from school and have already swapped their carefully pressed uniforms for their casual clothes. Some of the young boys don bare chests and gym shorts to try to find some sort of respite from the heat.

More kids run over at the sight of a camera, giving me wide, bright grins. Some stick their tongues out. Others, lift their fingers into a sideways peace sign.

A tall man appears from behind us. He is dressed in a t-shirt and jeans. He hugs Fredane from the side and nestled his face into hers. They both giggle.

This is my brother, she explains and I begin to see the resemblance between the two. I offer my hand to shake his and lean in for a customary kiss on the cheek. I then snap a quick photo of the duo before her brother retreats inside.

Though Fredane now lives alone, she remains close to her family to maintain that connection. And despite what she has lost, she maintains a sense of gratitude. I don’t need to ask her to recognize this.

I watch Fredane, Ballard, and Yolande together. Certainly, these three women are bonded by their shared village. But I can see that they are more than just neighbors. Working together for ViBella has solidified a much deeper level of friendship between them. They share both their victories and their burdens with one another, the way a community should. And every day, they travel to and from work in Carriers, unbothered by the commute because they get to do it together.

As I hug them goodbye, I feel as though I am departing from friends because they’ve reminded me in the time we’ve spent together that the simplest joys in life are often the greatest.

*Blog Written by and Photographed by Lauren Neal.