Copavic Glass

The people of COPAVIC help protect the environment by transforming recycled glass into useful products. The cooperative, which was founded in 1976, produces a wide variety of pitchers, glasses, stemmed glasses, dishes, statuettes, ash trays, candle holders, and vases.

Nicaraguan Pottery

Most of our pottery products come from Potters for Peace. Potters for Peace is a U.S. based nonprofit, a network of potters, educators, technicians, supporters, and volunteers. Founded in Nicaragua in 1986, we work primarily in Central America although our water filter projects are worldwide. PFP is a unique organization devoted to socially responsible development and grass roots accompaniment among potters.

Purepecha Indian Copper

Cobre--Copper in Spanish--has been made by the Purepecha Indians of Central Mexico since pre-Columbian times. When the Europeans arrived in the 16th century, they found the Purepecha making domestic implements and weapons from copper found in local, above-ground mines. Father Vasco de Quiroga introduced a few refinements; however, little has changed in how the copper is worked and finished. Because the copper mines have long been closed, today the smiths gather and melt discarded copper for use in their workshops. During the bonfire method, coppersmiths take the reclaimed copper and patiently heat and hammer it until the metal is "raised"--meaning the bowl or vase walls are formed. The smith then takes a special hammer to finish the piece. Depending upon the amount of salt in the air and how often the copper piece is handled, the metal will oxidize and the finish becomes matte, as the color darkens to deep browns and reds.

Wounaan Baskets

In Wounmeu, the language of the Wounaan, there is a special name for their fine traditional coil-construction palm-fiber baskets-hosig di. To create their contemporary baskets, weavers sew silk-fine strands of the black palm Astrocaryum standleyanum, they call chunga, colored with vegetal and organic dyes, over coils of Carludovica palmate, called naguala. Basket-making is among the most ancient of crafts. Compared to most art forms, little has been written about Panama's indigenous basketry until spring 2009, when Lorran and Charlotte Meares published their coffee-table art book titled, Weaving the Scarlet Macaw: Hosig Di Rainforest Baskets of Panama. Evidence of the existence of pottery as early as 2000 B.C. in the Amazon Basin and similar regions, and the discovery of abundant pottery shards by Spaniards who debarked along the coast of Panama and Colombia, implies that the Wounaan didn't need baskets as vessels to transport and store water. Baskets performed hard work. But special baskets also served higher purposes.

Masks

We collect and sell masks from different parts of the world, they vary in materials but they are unique and represent the culture from which they come from. They make great gifts and decorative items for your home. To read further about these items make sure to click on them individually.