Looking for unique Mother’s Day gift ideas for that mom who relishes in finding local gems around the world? The Nopo, short for “The Nomad Pop-Up,” is where your search ends.
Avid travelers and collectors, Kelly Breakstone Roth and Shanny Harel launched the site in March 2020 with the mission of removing some of the barriers preventing craftsmen in emerging markets (representing more than 65 percent of world designers) from participating in international e-commerce. Now, The Nopo allows you to shop for handmade treasures from destinations like Colombia, Morocco, and Mexico when you can’t make it there to hunt for souvenirs yourself.
The founders initially planned a trip to Morocco to connect with local craftsmen and women, but had to change course and come up with creative ways to source products once the pandemic began. After weeks of extensive research, the entrepreneurs found Soufiane Aissouni, a traditional yet innovative lamp designer from Marrakech, via Instagram, and he opened the door to many of Morocco’s leading artists whom The Nopo now works with.
Today, the platform features home decor, clothing, beauty products, and more from close to 200 exceptional artists based in the aforementioned countries and Ukraine, each carefully vetted to ensure alignment with the brand’s standards of quality and fair-trade practices. The Nopo sources these creatives by teaming up with in-the-know local partners, like Aissouni, to introduce them to the country’s premier designers. From there, the network widens as creators connect Roth and Harel to other artisans they admire.
With Mother’s Day coming up, we asked Roth and Harel to share some gifting advice. Below are their top mother’s day gift ideas for a memorable holiday with mom.
For the new mom
Reewaya abstract painted linen kimono
This kimono is handwoven from pure linen by Moroccan tailors and features intricate embroidery patterns that take hours to complete. “New moms need functional and comfortable clothing they can effortlessly throw on and still look uber-chic,” Roth says of the piece.
Cote Bougie handmade scented candle
This mint and tea scented candle (and the pot in which it’s nestled) are handmade incorporating ancestral Moroccan techniques. According to Roth, “The most incredible journey of a mother’s life has just begun—it’s wonderful and exhausting—and this candle is the perfect gift offering a moment of relaxation and comfort.” Harel adds, “also, for the environmentally-conscious, the candles are 100 percent organic, and the aromas are insanely delicious.”
For the epicure
Yassin Habbani tagine dish
This ceramic tagine (a traditional Moroccan stew and the pot it’s made in) is made in Safi, dubbed Morocco’s capital for ceramics production. “Moms who love to whip up meals and appreciate fine dining servingware will thoroughly enjoy this traditional tagine,” Harel says. “The paintwork is so beautiful that I use this dish as a dining table centerpiece when not in use.”
For the eternal host
Oslé Home Decor Burano tablecloth
This vibrant tablecloth’s design captures Colombia’s colors, landscapes, and warmth. It’s also functional and easy to clean, as it staves off liquid. Harel, who recommended this gift, attests that it is “ideal for moms who love to entertain regularly—it’s an easy way to elevate a dining table’s look.”
Alfonso Mendoca Atelier classic candle holders
These festive candle holders are constructed from oak wood and coated with eco-friendly pigments by rural carpenters from Lorica, a Colombian heritage town. “These candle holders act as a wonderful centerpiece to add light and warmth to a dining table,” Roth says. “I also love the craftsman’s story: The candle holders are produced in Colombia, but the idea originated from the artist’s trip to Morocco.”
For the design lover
Nelly Ortiz handmade ceramic pompom vase
A best-seller at The Nopo, this vase is made of natural black clay found in Mexico’s Oaxaca state and crafted using centuries-old methods. Both Roth and Harel adore this vase, agreeing that it is a versatile piece of art—you can use it to hold flowers or as a stunning statement piece on its own.
Beyond Marrakech Tamegroute bowl
These ceramics are made in Morocco based on traditional Tamegroute pottery production techniques developed thousands of years ago. This is one of Roth’s picks: “This bowl is the definition of one-of-a-kind as the color and shape never come out the same; factors like the composition of the glaze, the bowl’s placement in the oven, and the temperature contribute to its uniqueness,” she says.
For the accessories aficionado
Ifulkki handmade vintage Berber rug tote bag
One of Harel’s favorites, this hand-spun tote is made in Marrakech’s old city using fabric from vintage Berber carpets and is embellished with tribal motifs. “The Berbers are a vibrant and ancient ethnic group in Morocco, who developed a unique way to weave rugs hundreds of years ago,” she says. “This bag symbolizes tradition, history, and culture.”
Salvárea
Salvárea fluidity necklace
This necklace is made from hand-blown glass and silver recycled from X-ray machines and a portion of sales from each purchase goes toward the preservation of tropical forests in Colombia’s Magdalena Medio Colombiano region. Roth loves this necklace, saying it is “a wonderful gift—the necklace is incredibly elegant and it warms the heart knowing that you’re contributing to a good cause.”
