When the Taliban came to power in Afghanistan, Nasrat Khalid says, "I think it was one of the moments I felt the most powerless in my life but also the moment that inspired my team to radically shift what we do." That's when Aseel, the online arts business he started, took on charity work, drawing on cash reserves to provide shelter and food to displaced Afghans. Mostafa Bassim for NPR hide caption
Sufiyan Khatri learned to make the dyes for the block-print textiles from his grandfather. But he likes to experiment with color and design: "Whenever I get the time, I do some innovation in our work." Shaina Shealy hide caption
Traditional Mayan figures made by artisan Nicolas Chavez in Guatemala and sold on Novica's website. Christopher Noey hide caption
Each time a different natural dye is added to the fabric for a Good Earth pillow or quilt, it's rinsed, then laid to dry in the sun. Courtesy of Good Earth hide caption