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Due to a delay in US customs with a personalized jewelry shipment sent to our Milwaukee office from Israel on 8/5 delivery will take 4 days longer. We bear no responsibilty for customs delays.
Wow Imports offers an exclusive selection of personalized jewelry in sterling silver and 14k gold including personalized rings and name plate necklaces.
NEWS: Name earrings and name bracelets have been added to our personalized jewelry collection
Press Releases
- There's Trash in Those Treasures!
- African Artisans' Creativity Captures Interest
- History of Piggy Banks
- Green Decor
- Merry Green Christmas
- Personalized Jewelry for Young and ...not so Young
There's Trash in Those Treasures!
Milwaukee, WI - October 16, 2006 - It is often said that one man's trash is another man's treasure. At Wow-Imports one man's trash becomes another's artwork to treasure! From Isaac the "Chicken Man" creating recycled plastic bag animals in South Africa to the tagua nut carvers in Ecuador and the recycled aluminum clocks handcrafted in Israel; Wow-Imports protects the environment and the livelihood of artists by offering unique artwork hand crafted from earth friendly resources and recycled waste. There is truly trash in these unique treasures.
In an age where the average American struggles with sorting paper, plastic, and glass for the recycling bins; Wow-Imports is giving trash a new life with recycled artwork. Every day is Earth Day at Wow-Imports!
This two year old company is the brainchild of the Askotzky family. Ron, the artistic brother, finds and works with the artists who provide unique treasures for Wow-Imports' customers. Brother Steve man's the phones and processes the orders. And Ron's wife, Lisa, helps out when not busy with the children. Ron Askotzky was awed by the intricate designs artisans in Africa and Israel painstakingly hand crafted, and was dismayed to learn that their market reach was primarily limited to their local often economically challenged regions. Longing to share the beautiful fair trade recycled plastic bag animals, ivory-like tagua nut carvings, and one-of-a-kind aluminum clocks to a wider art enthusiastic audience, he teamed up with brother Steve to launch Wow-Imports! (http://www.Wow-Imports.com) Wow-Imports currently offers recycled and earth friendly crafts from Israel, South Africa, and Ecuador.
Art imitates life, and Barak Barnoy's recycled aluminum clocks are no exception. Says Barnoy, "I do my best to use a minimum amount of tools, maintaining the original form of materials in hand and aim for a maximum outcome in form and beauty. All of my ideas come from the intensity and vigor of the Israeli street." These funky yet functional clocks possess maximum eye appeal and top off a wide variety of decors. By recycling aluminum, Barak is keeping metal out of Israeli landfills and groundwater supplies.
The townships near Cape Town, South Africa are the birthplace of Wow-Imports recycled plastic bag animals. From chickens to dogs to pigs and flamingos; small groups of crafters hand fashion animal figures from plastic grocery, food and gift bags. "Crafting from all kinds of scraps and junk has developed into a modern art form using new and used materials to create contemporary pieces such as the animals, vehicles, flowers, key chains, napkin rings and all kinds of flatware and tableware," says Ron Askotzky. Wow-Imports recycled plastic bag animals provide a livelihood to an impoverished community and a better way of life for artists residing in a country recovering from civil unrest, battling AIDs, and dealing with a high unemployment rate. These plastic critters are the brainchild of a man known as Isaac who took the more common practice of crafting animals from paper to a new level with recycled plastic bags.
Known as the new ivory, tagua nuts grow in the rain forests of South America where clusters of nuts take years to ripen on trees and fall to the ground. The hardened meat of the tagua nut looks and carves much like ivory. Artists spare ivory bearing animals and carve the tagua nut into items such as figurines, tree ornaments, jewelry, chess pieces, cane handles and pipes. Before the development of synthetics and plastics, 20% of buttons in the U.S. were made from the tagua nut. The vegetable ivory tagua nut is a natural, renewable and sustainable resource, harvested from the floor of the rainforest and making a comeback in the market place. Tagua nut carvings provide a livelihood for many Ecuadorians without decimating animal populations or cutting down any trees in the rainforests. In fact, the demand for the tagua nut provides an incentive for locals to protect their unique eco-system.
While many businesses talk about being eco-friendly and protecting mother earth, Wow-Imports is protecting both the environment and its many inhabitants by recycling trash, providing increased marketing venues for its artisans, and protecting the ivory bearing animals illegally hunted for their tusks. As Steve Askotzky proclaims, "We don’t talk trash - we actually do something about it!"
For more information contact Steve Askotzky at 414-559-7817 or e-mail Steve at likewow@wow-imports.com.
African Artisans' Creativity Captures Interest
Fairly Traded Distinctive Handiworks Alleviate Hardships too.
Milwaukee, WI - October 16, 2006 - Wow! Imports' enthusiasm for unique craftsmanship and a desire to help others is evident. Established less than two years ago, their African glass bead & wire art has become a big hit making wow-imports.com likely the largest retailer of these colorful and contemporary crafts made by disadvantaged artisans.
Each piece is handmade for indoor and outdoor use, from the finest materials, provided to the crafters, who either work in a well appointed, airy workshop or in the comfort of home. Wow! Imports' African artisans are made up of economic refugees from Zimbabwe and disadvantaged indigenous South Africans whose lives are improved with fair wages, skill training and excellent conditions. "Our ingenious crafts are top quality and specially selected," Steve Askotzky declared. "We work closely with our gifted crafters to bring out their best in design and color," he continued.
Website visitors will be delighted to peruse the selection of African bead and wire art motorcycles and animal figurines, piggy banks, key chains and wire wrapped flatware. The new dazzling beaded ornaments will add sparkle to holiday décor too.
The recently added colorful, fair trade African recycled plastic bag animals are grabbing much attention. Township artists style recycled plastic bags into shapely, glorious dogs, chickens, roosters, zebras and pigs. Click the "Our Artists" link to learn how Isaac, the first man to fashion one of these stunning creatures, was inspired.
Shopping at wow-imports.com is an easy and enjoyable experience. However, Steve is available to answer any questions and make recommendations for a special item for yourself or the ideal gift. Custom orders are accepted. Wow! Imports will also entertain inquiries from select gift shops.
Wow! Imports offers the finest in unique, handcrafted gifts, décor and collectibles, emphasizing animal themes, from disadvantaged crafters. As Mr. Askotzky proudly asserts, "A big part of our mission is improving the lives of others. Making the lives of our crafters more pleasant while bringing joy to the recipients of their handiwork is our goal."
For more information contact Steve Askotzky at 414-559-7817 or e-mail Steve at likewow@wow-imports.com.