One World Projects
Large Santa Claus Gourd Ornament
Large Santa Claus Gourd Ornament
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"Ho Ho Ho...Merry Christmas" is Santa's wish for you this holiday season. It's a tradition for children to sit on Santa's Lap to have their photo taken. But on this ornament a squirrel is sitting on his lap; it just goes to show you that both children and animals enjoy the spirit of giving. Santa is carrying your Christmas Tree under his arm, and if you look at his back side he may be sitting in the lap of a reindeer. Hang him on the tree and he will wish all who enter a very Merry Christmas.
Gourd Carving is a traditional craft of the high Andean Mountains of Peru. Each gourd is skinned, cleaned, and sun-dried before artisans etch and burn the intricate designs that adorn its surface. Gourds are also a natural and uniquely shaped vegetable, similar to a pumpkin or a squash. As such, designs, shape and dimensions will vary slightly.
- Santa Claus Ornaments measure approximately: 4-1/2" high x 2-1/2" diameter
- Measurements will vary slighty due to size of the Gourd
Handmade and Fair Trade imported from Peru.
Peru’s native Shipibo tribes are known for their strong cultural heritage, unique cosmology and their unmistakable ceramic arts. Unfortunately, Shipibo villagers also suffer from extreme poverty, and most live without access to basic education and medical care in poor villages along the Río Ucayali, a tributary of the Amazon River. Manos Amigas (Friendly Hands) works with the Shipibo villagers to develop their traditional craft and helps export their vases, sculpture and ornaments to the United States and Europe. Manos Amigas also offers free courses in design, accounting and business marketing and helps artisans identify new markets for their crafts.
Manos Amigas donates 20% of its profits to education and other social programs and helps youth living in Peru’s remote highlands continue their education through scholarships and financial assistance. The remaining 80% of the Manos Amigas’ profit goes directly to the artisan, most often as a 50-70% advance with the balance paid upon delivery and quality control. This wage is far above the national standard and helps Shipibo villagers improve their standard of living and provide for the future.
About the Artisans
About the Artisans
Ingrese a De Colores Art, una empresa local que nivela el campo de juego para los aldeanos al ofrecer capacitación gratuita a cualquiera que demuestre la iniciativa de aprender un oficio. La empresa emplea a 30 mujeres y 18 hombres para tejer y bordar productos textiles, con la opción de trabajar desde casa utilizando materiales proporcionados por la empresa. De Colores reconoce la cultura de sus empleados mayas, por lo que permite flexibilidad horaria y da tiempo libre para los días de siembra y cosecha.
De Colores también invierte en proyectos de educación comunitaria financiando dos escuelas locales en los pueblos vecinos de Chujupen y Pachoj y ofreciendo becas a estudiantes que califiquen.
Además de estimular la economía local mediante la creación de nuevos puestos de trabajo, De Colores hace un esfuerzo consciente por utilizar materiales reciclados siempre que sea posible. La razón de esto es doble: preservar la cultura maya, ya que los textiles reciclados muestran patrones de tejido tradicionales que no se ven a menudo en los textiles más nuevos, y reducir los desechos y el desperdicio.
Las comunidades colaboran en el proceso de producción, ya que los hombres trabajan en los textiles más grandes y las mujeres hacen el bordado, el crochet y el macramé que se ven en piezas más pequeñas. En algunos casos, para ser competitivos, se utilizan máquinas de coser para ensamblar el producto terminado, aunque todos los componentes están hechos a mano y bordados a mano en algodón, lana y/o seda.
