A while back I mentioned that jeweler John Hardy had opened a eco-friendly hotel in Bali. But John and Cynthia Hardy are doing more for the area they love so much. They have created the Green School in Bali, Indonesia, a visionary new international school. The school, which is set to open in September, will have 80-100 students in the first year, teaching preschool and kindergarten through Year 8. The small classes will have a western-trained teacher, an Indonesian teacher and a teacher who is a recent college graduate participating in their New Teacher training program. The idea behind the school is to create a new model for 21st century learning with low student to teacher ratios, collaborative education, and a focus, not just on the fundamental basics but on the environment in Bali. The goal of the school is to empower children with information on all aspects of the world and how to make it a better place including information on everything from organic gardening to website design. The school is also being built of eco-friendly bamboo.

The school, which has a 20-acre campus, will also include the Learning Village, which is where handicrafts and various small enterprises, including an organic chocolate factory will provide entrepreneurial earning components for the students. The Learning Village is scheduled to be up and running next year.

The school is looking for help with scholarships,as well as help with the development of exchange programs with schools around the world. The school is also offering three-month internships to anyone who wants to help develop this unique place.

[via Fair Jewelry]

We've mentioned Bali-based John Hardy company's commitment to the environment . The company is now behind a pilot project to plant bamboos and reforest Nusa Penida, a small island off the coast of Bali. Local families will be provided with bamboo seedlings and training in sustainable cultivation of bamboo and other hardwoods. To support the project they have created the limited edition sterling silver John Hardy Bamboo Collection. For each piece of jewelry purchased from this collection, John Hardy will plant a certain amount of bamboo seedlings on Nusa Penida. Each piece of jewelry is engraved with the number of bamboos actually planted. The two largest cuffs also have a special grill on the back that depicts both the bamboo theme and the Bali starling. The sterling silver cuff shown here sells for $850.

Bali-based jeweler John Hardy may have recently sold his popular jewelry line but that doesn't mean he's just going to give up the cause of showing people the wonders of Bali. He has opened a small hotel Bambu Indah ("beautiful bamboo") which has just four guest cottages: Afrika, Padi, Kuning and Kuno. Each one is different and is made of teak timbers. The cottages also have air-conditioning and are furnished with antiques and luxury accessories designed and collected by John Hardy. The houses are located in fields of heritage Bali rice and are shaded by fruit trees and coconut palms. The rustic retreat also has a swimming pool lined with stones. There is a small restaurant that serves home-cooked meals that feature the organic food raised on the property. Other houses on the property offer a place to do yoga or get a massage. The resort's intimate setting and lack of big-hotel amenities takes a special type of guest. According to W Magazine's September issue, the hotel which opened this month, will have a screening process in place to help make sure that the guests who come to the hotel are ready for this particular experience.

Master silversmith John Hardy must be inspired by the beautiful surroundings of his design studio in Bali. There, his jewelry designs are made reality by expert craftsmen, many of them descendants of the artisans who made jewelry for the royal courts of Bali. This striking bracelet is made from 22k yellow gold, hammered and curved into an elegant cuff. Using ancient Balinese techniques, sterling silver is hand-carved into a chain pattern, trimming the edges of the cuff. It's a beautiful take on a classic design that goes with everything and never goes out of style. $1995.

I have had my issues with jewelry designs that combine shells and gemstones but it is hard to resist the charms of John Hardy, especially as showcased in his limited edition Cinta collection. Cinta means love and this limited edition collection is full of pieces to love that reflect John Hardy's unique island style. This piece, titled Dress Me In Blue Fire, is a white abalone brooch with accents of Rhodium-plated 18K white gold ringed with blue topaz, iolite and cognac diamonds. Simply gorgeous.

Bali-based jewelry designer John Hardy is slowly moving into the home decor market. Earlier we covered his domino set , now let's check out his deluxe screwpull for opening wine. The wine opener is made in Bali in two of Hardy's signature materials, black palm wood and dots of silver. Each piece is handmade by Indonesian crafsmen and sells for $795.

We've written about Bag, Borrow or Steal.  the online handbag rental service before. Now they are expanding into watches and jewelry. They will offer collections by David Yurman, Judith Ripka, John Hardy and Tiffany as well as watches by Gucci, Marc Jacobs and Raymond Weil. Like the handbag service, these items will be available for a monthly fee.  It's not quite like borrowing a Cartier necklace to stroll down the red carpet but it could be a nice touch for your own special occasions.