Wanderlust and Wandering Home
Written by Jenny Wonderling. Originally published 6/27/17
The joyous, open hearted man in this photo worked in a gorgeous antique shop in a town on our way back to Marrakech, Morocco where I went in 2015. He spoke 5 languages, told me of his Tuareg people who navigated through the desert by the stars, of invisible ink made with sugar and saffron that, when heated by the recipient, could reveal letters of love or insight battle, and of the illiterate Moroccan women who sung their pain into the beautiful rugs they elaborately wove, rugs that whisper doleful and rich stories through color and symbol. The trick is to honor and keep these magical, unique cultural expressions alive, exchanging how important it is to hold onto craft, to pouring one’s unique story into whatever medium, while also helping to elevate and strengthen the experience and the communities for the makers too. To receive and be inspired, and offer up the same. To work with the artisans so they can be validated for their incredible work, while also offering access to literacy and more.
Changing The Business Model and Why.
Nectar’s emphasis was always been on quality, green materials, Fair Trade/sustainably sourced gifts and unique beauty. But it's obvious that our extraordinary planet is in peril, and now more than ever, we all need to do our part in unprecedented ways to be more gentle and sustainable. For a healthier collective future, Nectar has decided we can no longer justify the environmental impact of regularly bringing large furniture inventory across oceans and then, shipping these far across the US and further around the world to clients. We all must do our part to affect positive change with even more loving vigilance. And we all must be okay with losing ourselves-- shaking things up, entering and inviting the unknown with an open heart and mind. Change is good...
That said, Nectar hopes you keep exploring the world!
"Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime." -Mark Twain.
