Article 22, Transforming Laotian Artisans through Jewelry

Article 22 was the brainchild of NY Native Elizabeth Suda who wanted to create a line of socially responsible jewelry that not only employs and empowers artisans of Laos but coverts bomb shrapnel from the Vietnam war into jewelry.

She begged the question, “How and by whom are the goods we consume made?” and was inspired to create a traceable link between producers in the East and consumers in the West. By molding jewelry pendants from actual shrapnel and dipping it into precious metals, the pendant looks like a sculptural work of art which doesn’t forget the devastating effects of war but serves as a reminder that beauty can come from the aftermath.

Other pieces form the A22.1 and A22.2 line have shapes that were inspired by bombs and other weapons of war. Driven dually by design and development, ARTICLE 22 cultivates the untapped talents of artisans in forgotten or off-the-beaten-track places, promoting entrepreneurship and community development.

For their PEACEBOMB line, each bracelet sold demines 3m2 of bomb littered land. Each piece supports artisan livelihoods, village development, and demining in Laos.

At the current rate of removal, it will take an estimated 800 years to clear all unexploded ordnance. With each Peacebomb sold, ARTICLE 22 and the artisans of Ban Naphia support their families, community, and country, helping make land safe. 1 bracelet helps clear bombs from 3m2 of farmland. Article 22 works with 12 artisan families in rural Laos who began transforming bombs to spoons in the 1970s and this is their story.
www.article22.com