Beautifully Made Philosophy redefines Beauty

Johannesburg, South Africa -'Beautifully Made' - a superior range of handmade African gifts - is making a statement on the international market with its approach to women and beauty. Says Sharon, "The Beautifully Made philosophy reflects each woman who participates in the conception, creation, use and recycling of our products. Beautifully Made is a statement about African women in the 21st century." By purchasing a Beautifully Made product, companies contribute toward rural development programmes in a small way that makes a big difference," says Sharon Reed, co-founder of Tangerine Marketing. All Beautifully Made gifts are custom-designed for clients, sewn by rural women and produced from natural fibres and recycled materials. Due to the growing demand for superior quality South African gifts, Tangerine's market growing internationally. Already, it has 29 international buyers from countries such as the United Kingdom, Canada, Switzerland, Japan and Iceland. Tangerine also produces gifts for special events, conferences, staff awards, theme days and Christmas gifts for staff and customers. Its range includes keyrings, scarves, conference bags, mirrors, greeting cards, wall murals and loads of funky arts and crafts for the retail and corporate market. The superior quality, durability and superior packaging of Tangerine's products recently earned it a place in the Tourism Enterprise Programme of the Department of Trade and Industry. Tangerine also innovates existing local products such as the original Vuvuzela(tm) soccer horn that it offers with beadwork and wire-art options for tourist gifts and special brand promotions. Beautifully Made can be viewed at the One of a Kind exhibition at Gallagher Estate during 8 - 13 August 2007. For further information, kindly contact Sharon Reed on 082 578 5077.

Opportunity

The Anglican Church in Benoni, the East Rand of Johannesburg South Africa is about to start their bead project. You know it is amazing how things work and I suppose thats why I trust in the Lord's vision in what I am doing.

Just over a week ago I met with Carolina who wants to set up a project that makes jewellery, already making beautiful products, wants to push this on a bigger scale. The morning that I was leaving to meet with Carolina, I got an email from Lorraine from the Anglican Church to say that they are ready to push a bead project using 10 ladies and would I be up to working with them.

Well what can I say, of course I have said yes, I have just sent an email to Lorraine and I really look forward to starting this new project with them.

Freezing Cold

Can you believe it woke up Wednesday morning to snow, a thick blanket of snow. Initally my first response was that this looks beautiful, but then immediately I felt guilty. Guilty knowing how many people last night must have suffered through the cold.

The sad amazing thing about all our lives no matter where in the world you live, the poor just seem to get poorer.

Is it right that we feel guilty for the warmth of day to day luxuries such as a bed and blankets whilst there are so many people out there who do not have these.

Is it fair that whilst some of us succeed others never seem to get any breaks in life, is it fair that some of us get many breaks and never appreciate these breaks until far to late in life, again whilst some of us never get breaks.

Women are not Victims

"Women are not victims. Their vulnerability does not stem from inherent or physical or psychological weaknesses. Their resilience in the face of hardship and difficulty must be recognised and strengthened." UNAIDS



In South Africa, death rates from natural causes for women aged 25-34 years increased five-fold between 1997-2004 and for males aged 30-44 it more than doubled.



Women of South Africa are vulnerable largely because of the behaviours of others, through their limited autonomy and external factors, including social and economic inequities beyond their control.



These women are the mothers of our children, the same children who will become a generation of orphans as the pandemic of AIDS and poverty stretches into the first three decades of the 21st century.



These orphans, the vast majority of whom will be/are HIV negative, are at enormous risk of growing up without adequate health care, food, education or emotional support.



According to The World Bank, education of children and youth merits the highest priority in a world afflicted by HIV/AIDS.



Economic prosperity and the reduction of global poverty cannot be accomplished unless all children in all countries have access to, and can complete, a primary education of adequate quality.



To participate in knowledge-driven development, South Africa needs to build its human capital especially the abilities of the women of South Africa.



The daunting vision of over a quarter of the population dying within the next 2 - 6 years is terrifying, the experience of resource-poor communities indicates that the time period between HIV diagnosis and death, in an impoverished area, can be as little as two years.



As HIV/AIDS affects the lives of million of people in South Africa, especially women, a growing sense of urgency has developed about the need to respond to the epidemic.



As former President Mandela said "AIDS IS NO LONGER A HEALTH ISSUE; IT IS A HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUE. IT IS A HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUE IF PEOPLE WHO NEED TREATMENT CANNOT GET IT BECAUSE THEY CANNOT AFFORD THE TAXI FARE TO GET TO THE TREATMENT SITE. IT IS A HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUE IF BABIES ARE BORN WITH HIV WHEN IT COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED OR ARE NOT PROPERLY FOLLOWED UP AND TREATED. IT IS A HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUE WHEN PEOPLE DIE BECAUSE THEY ARE POOR. IT IS A HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUE, WHEN WOMEN AND CHILDREN GET INFECTED WITH HIV AS A RESULT OF RAPE, BAD BEHAVIOUR OF OTHERS AND GENDER BASED VIOLENCE"



Support the initiative of Tangerine by uplifting the women of South Africa

Exiciting Day

Wow what an exciting day yesterday, early on in the morning I met with Proudly South African, they are really fired up and love the work that we are doing - I see lots of great things coming out of this relationship. Signing up to be a member straight away.



And then, meeting with William and Stella, guys thank you so much for coming out to the centre it was really great to meet you - It is just so amazing how things work. William is going to set up our ceramic project using recycle glass initally - this opens up such opportunities to get the community to collect glass for us and to come up with something really unique - can't wait.



The ceramic project is being kicked off on the 2nd July,

Sitting at the airport

Goodmorning, just landed in Durban and sitting at the airport, meeting with the trend planner for one of the biggest retail chains in South Africa at the airport. Met with her to show her a range of products that we have produced that I know will work.

It is so exciting, for the first time since we have started working with women from the townships and rural communities we have had a designer work with us to create a range. Believe me it makes such a difference.

When I landed this morning I had butterflies in my stomach, can you believe it.

Well I will keep you posted as to the outcome of the meeting.

Yesterday I had our PR agency and their design team come out to the Etwatwa Township, I think it was the first time some of these people have been in to the township. I felt so proud to be able to show them around and introduce them to the women who are working to make a difference to their lives.

It really amazes me how many people who live in South Africa have no understanding of the different lifestyles.

This morning when I was on the plane I sat next to a black women 35 years old, who has no understanding of the real township life - scary stuff. Everybody wants to move out of the townships, I believe we should be making the townships a place where everybody can work and make a decent living , bringing the townships alive with economy.

Well thats enough of my soap box today, I would love to hear from people out there about what their up to and just to become part of our new community.

Till next time

Finally live

Well, this has definately been an exciting road to get to where we are today. If I was asked at the begining of last year where I saw myself, I would never have dreamt it would be where I am today.



Well let me introduce myself, I like to call myself a mature woman, definately in age, sometimes wonder about mind. Just over 2 years ago I walked out of an enviroment with R13.00 in my pocket with a 14 year old daughter, without the slightest idea of what was next.



You can say that is was probably the hardest thing I had to do, and believe me in my life I have endured many hardships, some my fault and many not.



But there is nothing more scarier than not knowing how you are going to feed your child or protect her.



I suppose there must be angels out there who are brought into your life by the trust of our almighty, because the road to now as been an amazing one.



Without boring you all too much Tangerine Marketing was developed from a passion to survive and to work with less fortunate women to bring passion into their own lives.



Finally after nearly a year of hard work the web site is live and we are well on are way to making Tangerine a viabile business that brings the necessary economic support through the on selling of products made either in townships or rural communities across South Africa.