OWP
Teal Soapstone Heart w/ Etched Lotus
Teal Soapstone Heart w/ Etched Lotus
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Help the Haitian People by purchasing these beautiful hearts. They are hand-carved by the Haitian Artisans, working very hard carving and sanding to get the perfect designs. Soapstone is found in Haiti where the people wander, searching for the rock in which to surface. Our hearts come in three sizes; small, medium, and large. Right now we have five designs of flowers. This featured design is the Lotus flower. All other flower designs are sold separately.
- Small Measures - 1 1/8'' high x 1 1/8'' wide x 1 1/4'' deep
- Medium Measures - 2 3/4'' high x 2 5/8'' wide x 1 1/2'' deep
- Large Measures - 3 3/4'' high x 3 3/8'' wide x 1 1/2'' deep
- Size and Coloring may vary
Handmade in Haiti and fair trade imported.
Haiti is often considered the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere. Haitian artisans live in a country where the political climate and hardships imposed by economic embargos and sanctions in the 1990s have contributed to poverty and accelerated environmental degradation. Health care and education are unobtainable dreams for the impoverished 75-80% majority. The average income is $55. per month. Only 40% of the population has access to potable drinking water and 25% have access to sanitary sewage systems. Infant mortality is over 7%, malnutrition is a common ailment, and almost half of the population is illiterate.
Despite all hurdles to overcome there is hope. The Artisan Business Network (ABN) empowers Haitians with entrepreneurial tools, design input, and market access. The ABN is making essential improvements in the earnings for artisans, helping them to provide for their families and community well-being through commerce based on Haiti's profound artisanal culture.
To read the full story, click below on About the Artisans.
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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.
