OWP
Upcycled Metal Word Christmas Ornaments -Fair Trade- Haiti
Upcycled Metal Word Christmas Ornaments -Fair Trade- Haiti
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Most of us can use a little more Love, Hope, Peace, and Joy in our lives. These ornaments, handcrafted from upcycled steel drums, serve as reminders that help us focus our thoughts on the positive qualities that make life beautiful. They can be hung inside or outside, year-round, or for special occasions; it is all up to your imagination. In addition to helping economically disadvantaged artisans, they can also inspire great conversations with friends and families.
The art of making metal crafts from recycled metal drums began about 50 years ago in Haiti when a blacksmith used discarded metal drums to make crosses for the cemetery. Today the artisans in the village of Croix de Bouquets in Haiti are engaged in transforming used metal drums into beautiful pieces of art.
- Each ornament is approximately 4" in diameter
Handmade in Haiti and fair trade imported.
Haiti is known worldwide for its unique steel drum art. Artisans collect these salvaged industrial drums to create beautiful pieces of art. The artist first removes both round ends of the drum and fills the cylinder with straw and dried banana or sugar cane leaves. He sets it on fire, to burn off any paint or residues inside the cylinder. After the metal cools down, it is cut and flattened into a "metal canvas".
Please read our extended description below by clicking on "About the Artisans" for more information on how this beautiful jewelry is made, and for more information on the artists who make them.Â
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.
