OWP
Gold Seashell Nativity
Gold Seashell Nativity
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These nativities are produced from small seashells collected along the beach of Ecuador. If you love collecting seashells then you probably also have a fondness for nature, and you will love this nativity. Mary, Joseph and the Baby are made from corn husk and beans and they are carefully glued into place. This is a perfect piece for the Nature Lover and Nativity Collector. Be the one who is part of helping the environment and helping others.
- Seashells average 1-3/4" to 2-1/4"
- Measurements will vary due to size of the seashellÂ
Handmade in Ecuador and Fair Trade imported.
Camari is a Quechua word meaning "gift"; and true to its name, it is also a fair trade organization that has been a gift for many people of Ecuador. Camari, a member of the World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO), was founded in 1981 to address the problems inherent in the marketing of small-scale agriculture and the production of handicrafts in the rural and marginalized communities of Ecuador.
Camari helps artisans find access to financial credit, training, and technical assistance; yet from the beginning they have understood that this alone was not a sufficient recipe for success. Without direct access to international and fair trade markets, artisans and farmers are forced to sell to intermediaries at prices that cannot provide the basic necessities of life.
Since their inception, Camari has grown to establish numerous shops in major cities throughout Ecuador, providing access to international markets, and alternative employment to more than 6,500 artisan and farmer families in 18 of Ecuador's 22 provinces.
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.
