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Ashley Pittman Jewelry Looks Good, Does Good

Handmade by Kenyan artisans from horn, bronze, and semi precious stones, Ashley Pittman’s bejeweled horn cuffs, rock crystal pendants, and Maltese crosses have an organic chic that has won her fashionable fans.

“I get most of the inspiration for my jewelry from the materials themselves because East Africa is so rich in natural materials,” says Pittman.

“The horn has got such crazy, awesome colors in it, but I also study the fashion shows. I try to make things that are wearable.  I like to keep it simple with things that can be piled on together easily.”

To wit, Pittman shows her mix and match bangle bar where armloads of bangles can be piled in endless combination.

Pittman didn’t start out in jewelry though.  After working in private equity, Pittman went to East Africa to work for the Clinton Foundation’s HIV/Aids initiative in Rwanda. She came back to the U.S. to study law, but her heart was in East Africa where she dreamed of starting a sustainable business that would support local communities.

“I had no idea that I would be in jewelry, but I saw this amazing talent in East Africa especially in the handy craft sector.  The crafts people had this great skill but they didn’t have the expertise to finish things off or add the necessary embellishments. And they didn’t have access to fashion trends or magazines.  I got the idea to bring the different craftspeople together who worked in metals, horn, or gemstones and create something unique at a great price point.”

Ashley Pittman’s jewelry not only supports stable employment for Kenyan artisans and their communities, but it also uses only fair-traded East African stones and locally sourced materials.  Ten percent of all profits support a school and health center in the drought-ravaged agrarian community of Kamboo in Southeast Kenya.  So not only does Pittman’s jewelry look good, but it also does good.

Shop Ashley Pittman.