I Heart Snow

'I Heart Snow' (#420)

For the newest collection from Missing Links, we've collaborated with celebrity infused social action campaign 'Green Means Go' which celebrates the tenants of Earth Day, every day.

#420, 'I Heart Snow,' with its multiple strands of white crystal seed beads and Silver Heart, Silver Leaf and Crystal Hanging Pearl Pendant, reminds us that we love the bright white cuteness of a polar bear cub and treasure that they are not yet completely extinct.  The United States is blessed with a great variety of awe-inspiring landscapes from coast to coast. The National Wildlife Federation is working to protect these extraordinary places that are critical to the survival of America's wildlife so please bid generously. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270734640074

(National Wildlife Federation, 2011)

LIKE MANY PHOTOGRAPHERS, Lois Settlemeyer traveled to Churchill, Manitoba, last year to see and shoot polar bears. She writes, “Since the early 1980s, the Churchill polar bear population has decreased 22 per cent and the decline has been directly linked to the ice breakup on Hudson Bay. Polar bears depend on sea ice for food and for survival. Climate change threatens their very existence.” The Washington State resident used a Canon EOS 40D and a 70-300mm lens for this portrait.

This is just one of the many one-of-a kind handcrafted pieces you can see and read about at: MissingLinksFound.com

Missing Links, a Limited Edition line from Lindo Exclusive, was created to combine art with philanthropy and sustainability.  25% of each and every sale from the "Green Means Go" Exhibit goes to the 501(c)3 nonprofit organization National Wildlife Federation of the United States, because what better gift is there then a a necklace from Missing Links that works to protect our wildlife.

Each month, we are proud to spotlight a DIFFERENT charity and focus awareness to raise funds through wearable art.  Each piece inspires and evokes dialogue about the regions and histories of these semiprecious stones.  Whether a gift for you, or someone you care about, your purchase lets you feel good about being fashion forward while making the world a more beautiful place.

Thank you for coming and learning.  And please share.  These are great causes to support.

Dax
missinglinkfound@gmail.com
www.missinglinksfound.com

Wild about Wild Life

(The Talking Parrot, 2011)

April has been all about learning more about our furry and feathered friends, and focusing on each of them in their purity and disappointingly low numbers. What can we do? We see the oil spills and the the pollution and it is really hard to know what to do. Well, one of the first charities we are choosing to focus on is The National Wildlife Federation or nwf.org.

And so we continue this month showing our pieces around the world. Carecrafted necklace (#422), which was part of the "Green Means Go" Exhibit from the Limited Edition Collections at Missing Links, went for $125 American to an anonymous buyer from the store Pedestrian as a gift for his love. The Talking Parrot, with its iconic Talisman has traveled from St. Croix to Maui and almost everywhere in between, and began it's life as part of a keychain, so it meets the criteria of repurposing, too.

The World is blessed with a great variety of awe-inspiring landscapes from coast to coast to coast. The National Wildlife Federation is working to protect these extraordinary places that are critical to the survival of America's wildlife.

Scientists are working far and wide and have helped to save some of the strangest and most endangered birds in the world from extinction. The kakapo, for instance, was facing extinction due to man's invasion of its habitat.

(National Wildlife Federation, 2011)

Experts in Glasgow have been instrumental in helping to boost its numbers by developing a food supplement to improve its breeding potential.

Environmental factors such as habitat clearance and the introduction of predatory animals caused numbers of the breed to dwindle to only 51 in 1995.
Kakapos breed infrequently as they feed their young on the fruits of the pink pine and rimu trees, which produce fruit every two to six years - so kakapos can only breed then.

During the years in between, the kakapo's natural diet consists of coarse leaves, grasses and herbs, which lack adequate nutrients for rearing chicks. 

You can be assured that 25% of the proceeds were set aside to help these beautiful citizens of nature remain for our children and their grandchildren to enjoy by reforesting and attempting to create safe safer havens for these birds to exist.

Looking to do more? National Wildlife Federation is currently recruiting volunteers for restoration and planting events, wildlife monitoring and surveillance and public speaking and education about the Gulf oil spill's impacts specifically and the importance of healthy wildlife habitats.

You can find out more:
http://www.nwf.org/Volunteer/Find-Opportunities/Gulf-Coast-Surveillance/Sign-Up.aspx

You Can Help Restore The Balance Of Nature.  You Really Can.

;-)

We've Got Plenty Of Something

For years we've been accumulating, and acquiring, through acquisition after acquisition an agglomeration of beads.

Turquoise and yellow turquoise, carved beads.

Amassing stones and stockpiling them into congeries, securing a selection of semi-precious gems and crafted ceramic or glass blown beads made for colorful surprises when opening containers oft left dusty in a backroom. Sometimes lined with silver, or cut from naturally occurring elk horn we added only the genuine and unique, like naturally occurring Koa wood, or Freshwater pearls from restocking farms.   

Searching for more of a classic keepsake,
the eye will pause on beige.

Fortunately, or unfortunately, for almost a decade, shopping bags came home only to embarrassingly compile them into a mess of jars next to batches of assorted boxes, clumps of baskets and Martha Stewart storage cases.

Shopping trips usually served to amass anthologies of off the beaten track stories and an assemblage of adventures,  bringing together the needs to form a company and start bringing crowd attention to issues while offering something sparkly in exchange.

Lengths of luscious color

So very lucky to have one of the rarest and most valuable collections of beads, stones, and materials. Consider a Valentine's piece from Australian South Sea pearls mixed with golden South Sea pearls from the Philippines and Indonesia. 

If it is a custom-length necklace you are looking for, we offer pieces by the inch. Any length is possible, from 12 inches for an infant, to 200 inches for a red-carpet look.

(Maui Bead Shop, 2011)

Because one-of-a-kind is the meme, we are perfect for someone wanting to create their own piece, or simply looking for a lovely way to stand out an event.  

You'll be sure to get a compliment when your individual style is spotlighted.  Since 25% goes to charity, when someone tells you your pretty, you can tell them it's on the inside as well by sharing and introducing them to the cause you helped.

Remember, no one else will be wearing the Missing Link that you found, as no two of our pieces are the same.  So enjoy the ride, and check in often.

Lisa Lindo
EBay key words "Lisa Lindo Missing Links"

Why Global Green USA?

Did you know...

"Global Green USA has been working to rebuild New Orleans with their Holy Cross Project.  Global Green has assembled a highly skilled and dedicated project team of national experts paired with local professionals with the goal of transferring knowledge to ultimately make green expertise indigenous to New Orleans. Through the Holy Cross Project, Global Green is committed to:

• Creating a green model or showcase for development and rebuilding for New Orleans, and green affordable housing in the US;
   
• Ensuring the sustainability and long term affordability of the Project’s housing units for residents, and socioeconomic fabric of the neighborhood through the center;
   
• Educating NOLA residents, the Gulf Coast and broader American public through the Project’s visitors center, NOLA resource center, and website about the benefits of green building.
   
• Advancing smart solutions to global warming that both benefit communities and engage stakeholders in building will for action

(Global Green, 2011)

After the devastation of Hurricane Katrina and the inadequate response of the US Government, Global Green made a dedicated commitment to sustainable building in New Orleans and the Gulf Coast.  Through their green affordable housing community the Holy Cross Project, our Build It Back Green initiative - they are educating residents on how to rebuild in a healthy green way, and through their work on greening schools throughout the area, Global Green is committed to creating a green model for the development and rebuilding of New Orleans.

Learn more...

Lisa Lindo
Missing Links supports Global Green USA
www.missinglinksfound.com
Ebay key search words:  'Lisa Lindo Missing Links'
25% of each purchase during the month of January goes to Global Green USA

Capitol Hemp Carrying Missing Links in D.C.

So my hemp activist girlfriend (and film director), Melissa Balin, was in town and dragged me to a fabulous store in D.C., Capitol Hemp.  I was fascinated.  They had great winter jackets made of Hemp, lined with faux fur made of Hemp.  They had all sorts of reading options and educational material on how Hemp Can Save The Planet, and, after checking out a few of my blown glass jewelry pieces, they told me if I could make some necklaces out of hemp, they would carry them in their store.

Well, I instantly stocked up on Hemp twine in yellow, orange, red, brown, and in a tannish color which seems to be the most natural of the options.  It was really difficult work, and my finger tips still are a little sensitive, but they came out fabulous.  Each piece is littered with semi-precious stones and celebrates the use of the hemp with tassels, beads created from hemp, or basic knots in between the stones.  I wish now that I had taken some photos before they purchased them from me, but you can find them by stopping by and visiting Capitol Hemp in Adams Morgan at:

Washington, DC has Capitol Hill, and now it has Capitol Hemp- two stores 
dedicated to offering the highest quality products made from Industrial Hemp.

1802 Adams Mill Road, NW  
downstairs from the Starbucks.


or you could visit their other store in Chinatown
at
519 H Street, NW



 
   
So, now, I'm officially stocked in a store in D.C.  Hemp, hemp, hooray!  Much more to come.

Lisa Lindo
www.missinglinksfound.com
Ebay search words 'Lisa Lindo Missing Links'
or emails us at:
www.missinglinksfound@gmail.com

Missing Links: FOUND

Aloha!

MISSING LINKS is a unique hand-fashioned jewelry line made from world traveled semi-precious stones. Pieces are partnered with an inspiring parable and social action campaign providing missing links between art, philanthropy, & sustainability.

Please join us on a journey of exploration of relevant issues, social change & sustainability, all while looking and feeling fabulous!  Follow our blog and Twitter to find out where our "Solutionary Gifting Circles" (TM) will be taking place online and how to host one of these eco-friendly, conflict-free, social shopping circles in your own town!

Join our Facebook Fanpage for MISSING LINKS FOUND... and come visit us often.  ;-)

Feel free to contact us for special orders.  We delight in creating custom sustainable pieces of wearable art with tremendous sentimental value to the owner.  We combine one-of-a-kind center accents from India, Thailand, Paris, Amsterdam, St. Tropez, New York, and Maui with our client's special dreams, hopes and whimsies incorporated into what will surely become an heirloom piece.

May your day be filled with Beauty!

Lisa Lindo
Designer & CEO