Ola-Brasil Design is a Canadian based Company focused on the design, importation and distribution of Brazilian jewelry from Rio de Janeiro.

Based in Vancouver BC, the individuals behind this hip new company are accessory designer Monica Queiroz, (a Rio De Janeiro native), and Michael Boyd a Vancouver based marketing and branding consultant.

Together they are offering North Americans a taste of the Brazilian jewelry art-form Bijoux, a sexy and sophisticated blend of handcrafted necklaces, bracelets and ear-rings. Sitting down for coffee with them near their office headquarters on Vancouver's North Shore, I learned about Ola-Brasil's inspired jewelry designs, their Company philosophy and a bit about Rio's colorful Carioca culture.

Monica starts off the interview by telling me she moved from Rio de Janeiro to become a Canadian citizen over five years ago. Having designed and worn her own Bijoux bracelets, necklaces and earrings since she was a girl, Monica says, "People, many times, would stop me on the street and ask, 'What a nice piece of jewelry, where did you get that?' and I would say, 'It's from Brazil,' and they reply, 'Oh, it had to be from Brazil! That's why it's so nice!

We can't find anything like this here!'" She explains that the jewelry she wears is reminiscent of her home land. "The sight of these jewelry pieces conjure up the sights, smells and sounds of my country Brazil, I just love Bijoux"

Bijoux literally means 'bead', but refers to the creative style of costume jewelry. Bijoux originated in France, but migrated to Brazil where it blossomed into a cultural phenomenon.

There it became much more than just reproductions of traditional jewelry designs. Rather, in the hands of local craftsmen, Bijoux developed into a form of self expression where the utilization of raw materials found locally were intermingled with hand woven leathers and cottons to create stunning objects of beauty.

These raw materials include stones, metals, beads, polished glass, and even dried seeds and grasses from the Amazon River Basin.

Together, these elements are combined to form interesting design combinations which incorporate patterns which harkens back to the rich Latin American cultures of the Mayans and Incas.

Boyd explains that Queiroz successfully test marketed her pieces in North America for several years. Then, after making a few trips to Brazil in
search of the best materials, craftsmen and project leaders, they assembled a team who could capture Monica's creative designs while also being able to fill large volume orders. The result of this effort is Ola-Brasil's formidable and ever expanding line of custom Bijoux jewelry.

Whatever the design, Brazilian Bijoux is always injected with a modern sense of flare. In the opinion of business partner Mike Boyd, "When you look at our product line everything is handmade with great care and individual attention, which keeps our product line fresh, dynamic and inspired.

In today's mass produced and mechanized world, a handcrafted jewelry piece is an increasingly rare commodity."

On a lighter note, Monica goes on to explain that the citizens of Rio de Janeiro are called 'Cariocas'. Among Brazilians, Cariocas are hailed as the most laid-back, fun-loving people on Earth. "Nobody goes stays home on Friday night after work," Monica tells me.

A Carioca's lifestyle is to work very hard during the day, but to stay out joking, laughing, drinking, dancing and singing all night long." She also explains that Brazilian Bijoux
decorate the wrists and necks of popular and beautiful people that populate the many streets, beaches and clubs of Rio.

Queiroz and Boyd have also aligned their business with charitable organizations that are important to them.

These are just a few of the
progressive people-first policies that Ola-Brasil is implementing to ensure that making a positive difference is part of their business strategy.

The first of these efforts was developed in conjunction with their visits to Brazil. As Mike and Monica witnessed the rampant poverty in this developing nation, they saw a need to assist impoverished children though a profit sharing program arranged with several well known orphanages and their communities.

So, in order to help out, Ola-Brasil makes a point of donating a percentage of their profits to a concern that assists orphanages in providing these special children with necessary clothes, toys, blankets, school supplies and even an occasional party.

Ola-Brasil's second and third efforts to make a difference come in the form of a creative new program that match color coded jewelry items with the charities associated with those colors. So, for every sale of a pink jewelry item, Ola-Brasil donates a portion of the profits to the American Breast Cancer Foundation.

Likewise, with the sale of every red, white and blue jewelry item, they donate a percentage to the Disabled American Veterans Organization. These exciting programs allow customers to literally wear their hearts on their sleeves, around their necks and on their ears as they help out these worthy organizations while enjoying Ola-Brasil's fashionable accessories at the same time.

These organizations, which can be found at the following websites, www.vilaisabel.org (Vila Isabel Charitable Society), www.ABCF.org (American Breast Cancer Foundation), www.DAV.org (Disabled American Veterans Organization) are just a few of the special causes that the founders of Ola-Brasil hold close to their hearts.

Those who are interested in becoming wholesale buyers of the Ola Brasil product line can fill out the reseller form on their website at
www.ola-brasil.com .

There they'll find access to an abundance of photos and sample information regarding the product line and information on how to contact Mike Boyd and Monica Queiroz.