These unusual earrings are made using hand painted, long tear drop Peruvian ceramic Cusco beads. Each pair is carefully hand assembled in the Kent countryside and uses silver plated fixings. We love how these earrings are international; the endangered New Zealand Kiwi bird is hand painted onto Cusco beads in Peru and the earrings are assembled in Kent, UK. But why would you want to dangle Kiwi birds from your ears? Read our Kiwi tab to find out! Kiwi The Kiwi has become a flagship species for conservation and is often used as a measure for the state of New Zealand\'s natural environment and the outcome and value of community conservation projects. The threats to the Kiwi include habitat modification, fragmentation, declining population and predators (mainly stoats, possums, and rats). Currently, there are 68,000 Kiwi left in New Zealand, with a loss at the rate of 20 per week every year, according to some estimates.Combined community groups actively protect 230,000 ha designated for the Kiwi across New Zealand. The land is managed to protect the species from wild predator populations which include predator-free islands. The country\'s delicate ecosystem is one of the reasons they have such strict customs laws to prevent invasive species.As it manages one-third of the land mass of New Zealand, including 5 Kiwi sanctuaries, the Department of Conservation has protected the Kiwi habitat. Community-based Kiwi conservation groups are also protecting the habitat as are private landowners. Creating pest and predator-free sanctuaries benefit the native plants and animals of the country too, besides the Kiwi. According to the Department of Conservation, the Kiwi is one of 7 indicator species in New Zealand..... If the Kiwi is doing well, this means so are other species. The Kiwi project is an example of people working together to protect. It demonstrates how we have the power in our hands to protect the future of our planet. Specifications Approximately 5cm drop Silver plated fixings Incorporating Peruvian ceramic Cusco beads Story Siesta Crafts was started in 1983 by Chris and Les Harper with a market stall selling handicrafts that were brought back from their travels from Mexico and Guatemala (hence the name!). They now import directly from suppliers in countries all over the world on a Fair Trade basis and they are proud to be a member of the British Association for Fair Trade Shops and Suppliers. They specialise in unusual and interesting gifts. In this day and age of anodyne, cloned town high streets, it is good to see they have a vibrant, colourful presence with a wide range of unique and colourful handcrafted and fair trade items. Their intention is that by trading with their producers they are helping them to achieve economic self-sufficiency, whilst simultaneously bringing to their customers the skills and crafts of other cultures. Read more