LEUCADIA — During the Shop to Save the World event Sept. 6, three local businesses will donate a portion of the proceeds to support micro-loans to women artisans. Spearheaded by Aesthetyx owner Judy Compton, the relatively new shop’s higher mission is to create a business model that supports artisans by improving their living conditions and quality of life.

To that end, Compton has formed an alliance with Nest, a nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the lives of women in developing countries. The mission of Nest is to support women artists and artisans in the developing world by helping them create sustainable entrepreneurial businesses. The group provides micro-credit loans for the purchase of the supplies and materials necessary to develop and maintain art or craft-based businesses.

Compton’s intimate home furnishing and accessory shop, located at 466 North Coast Highway in Leucadia, has partnered with neighboring stores Embellishments and Deep Fling to increase the amount of funds raised for the group and awareness of the organization’s efforts to help raise the standard of living for women and families around the world.

The goal of improving the artisan’s livelihood and community well-being through ensuring that they are the main beneficiaries of sales of their art sits well with Compton. “We want to make sure there is economic sustainability in the creation of this art,” she said.

Compton is also committed to supporting artisans through helping the customer make a connection with the history of the art rather than merely purchasing their creations. Each piece in her shop is marked with a tag including the artist’s name and the geographical origin of the product. Stories detailing the process of production and pictures of the artisans can be found throughout the shop. “I want to make a connection between the customer and the artist,” she said.

On more than one occasion, customers have asked for additional information about the artist and are intrigued by the story of the creation of a piece of art they now own. Shari Hall, who assists Compton in networking with nonprofit artisan groups, said customers enjoy reading about the various artists when shopping at Aesthetyx. “We have a mix of artists from around the world including Turkey, Mexico and all parts of Africa,” she said. “When people read about the artist they make a personal connection.”

The event will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Sept. 6 at 466 North Coast Highway in Leucadia.