Global Crafts
Blue Bird Door Wreath Haitian Metal Drum Wall Art
Blue Bird Door Wreath Haitian Metal Drum Wall Art
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Crafted from recycled 55-gallon steel drums by village artisans in Haiti, these stunning pieces of art are truly one-of-a-kind! The process of turning sheets of metal into beautiful art is all done by hand. Steel drums used to transport oil into the capital of Haiti are cut, the oil is burned off to clean the metal, and then flattened in order to create stunning, upcycled art. Suitable for Indoor or Outdoor Use. Â
- Type: Metal Wall Art
- Colors: Metallic
- Materials: Upcycled Steel Metal
- Finish: Painted
- Dimensions: Approx. 22 to 22.5" Diameter
- Care: If displaying outdoors it is recommended to spray with a clear coat once or twice a year, as prolonged exposure to the elements will cause rust.
- Hanging Instructions: To hang metal art simply use pin head nails in the many nooks and spaces available in the design. If nails are shiny, you may want to darken heads with a black marker to help nails visually disappear.
Given the handmade nature of this product please allow for minor variations. As the metal is recovered from recycled oil drums and colored through a burning process it will vary slightly in coloration. Typically the piece has a darkened steel patina. If handpainted, exact colors may vary, which speaks to the one-of-a-kind nature of each piece. Each piece of metal art whether painted or natural is coated with a layer of clear coat to help protect the metal.
About the Artisans
About the Artisans
Chichicastenango, Guatemala, has become one of the most important heritage centers in Guatemala during the past 10 years, due to its predominant indigenous Maya Quiche population and their traditional textile products. Yet, despite increased tourism and a renewed interest in traditional Mayan crafts, work opportunities remain few for the indigenous population, many of whom are uneducated and otherwise unemployable.
Enter De Colores Art, a local business that levels the playing field for villagers by offering free training to anyone who demonstrates the initiative to learn a trade. The company employs 30 women and 18 men to knit and embroider textile products, with the option of working at home using materials provided by the company. De Colores recognizes the culture of its Mayan employees, and as such allows flexible hours and gives time off for sowing and harvest days.
De Colores also invests in community education projects by funding two local schools in the neighboring towns of Chujupen y Pachoj, and by providing scholarships to qualifying students.
In addition to stimulating the local economy by creating new jobs, De Colores makes a conscious effort to use recycled materials whenever possible. The reason for this is twofold: to preserve Mayan culture, as recycled textiles showcase traditional knitting patterns that aren’t often seen in newer textiles, and to reduce scraps and waste.
Communities collaborate in the production process, as men work on the biggest textiles and women do the embroidery, crochet and macramé seen in smaller pieces. In some cases, in order to be competitive, sewing machines are used to assemble the finished product, although all the components are handmade and hand embroidered from cotton, wool and/or silk.
