Novica Handmade Coiled Accents Natural Fiber Baskets (Pair)

Product Features: 

• Dimension:
• Weight: 0.484
• Color: Beige
• Material: Yagua palm fiber
• Made in Nicaragua

Story Behind the art:
"My name is María Isabel Montoya Duarte, originally from Camoapa, Nicaragua. I am a person who enjoys helping others; persistent and thoughtful. I love sharing a coffee, sweets or a good wine with my family and friends. I like to write, play chess and watch television series based on real events.

"Since I was little I was familiar with the elaboration of personalized handmade items-- my father is a builder and carpenter, my mother a seamstress, and my paternal grandmother and several of my great-aunts were weavers of hats. My mother drew and painted, and always had a special ability to make us dresses.

"I am the oldest of 8 siblings, and we lived our childhood and adolescence during the 1979-1990 post-war crisis. At that time we could not ask much of our parents, but my mother made adjustments to our clothes so that the little ones could reuse the clothes of the older ones. So now I can say that my mother was a pioneer in recycling, upcycling and circular economy.

"At the age of 8 I learned to sew. I made dresses for dolls and sold them, and I remember that my first work was a beach hat that my mother kept in the decoration room. My teacher was the artisan Magdalena Arróliga. In 1991, I won a scholarship to study in the United States. I had the opportunity to share the traditions of my community, which allowed me to consciously investigate the universal activity that gives identity to Camoapa, and since then I have felt committed to promoting this cultural legacy. In 2011 I started selling occasional fine custom hats to friends. In 2013 I decided to register my brand to market fine handmade hats with vegetable fiber, and in 2019 I registered the brand to offer bags and all kinds of utilitarian and decorative basketry. It is a family business.

"The raw material used is processed by ripiadora artisans, who transform the palm buds into pita threads. Some artisans must travel up to 6 km away from their home to get them. They make and use a kind of two-tooth awl to rip the palm leaves. I love sharing with artisans to better understand their work. We have created a relationship of trust that allows me to design while respecting the inspiration and creation of each one of them. My mother helps with the collection of products and the payment of the artisans; my husband helps with the graphic design part to promote the brand and with the logistics of deliveries; and my daughters help with social networks. I am in charge of the design, control of quality, administration and sales.

The handmade touch of artisan skill creates variations in color, size and design. If buying two of the same item, slight differences should be expected. Note: Color discrepancies may occur between this product and your computer screen.

Imported