be different art

Javanese artist Anton Papo uses pencil, ink and acrylic on canvas to create this captivating naif painting inspired by his obsession with elephants. “These majestic animals are destined to be captured in an artistic form,” he says. “There are many different types with distinctive anatomical characteristics, and each country and continent has its own unique species. Elephants have been, and will always be an inspiration in art.”

This red, blue and white hammock is certain to inspire those with a patriotic heart from several different countries. Woven by hand, this nylon hammock comes from Maya Artists of the Yucatán who create it in the same way they have for centuries.

Long before the Spanish arrived upon the coasts of the Yucatan Peninsula, the Maya preferred to sleep and rest in hammocks. They considered the hammock to be like the loving embrace of a mother, due to the comfortable manner in which the body is held and swung within its cradle. Maya Artists of the Yucatan seek to preserve time-honored customs while also offering stylized versions of the original Maya hammock. For them, the hammock is a work of art. Their hammocks are incredibly comfortable, easy to maintain, and may be stored just about anywhere.

Please note: The accompanying extension ropes may vary in color from those shown in the images.

Ruanas add a layer of style to any outfit. Sandra Cuellar from El Salvador designs this handloomed cotton ruana in lovely strawberry and grey tones. This versatile garment can also be worn as a shawl by wrapping the ends around the shoulders.

Sandra is the heiress of a 40-year-old traditional family business dedicated to handloomed creations. Her designs have carried the cultural richness of El Salvador to different corners of the world.

Alebrijes are often a hybrid of real animals, such as elephants and crocodiles, or they can be more fantastical creatures, such as dragons. Artisan Teresita Gonzalez of Xoxocotlan in the Mexican state of Oaxaca creates an elaborately hand carved copal wood alebrije dragonfly, or libelula. The insect is beautifully painted in bold red with accents of black, blue and yellow. Small parts are separated for shipping to protect from breakage.

It is said that Oaxaca's alebrije tradition descends directly from Mexico City artisan Pedro Linares (1906-1992). When he was 30, he became seriously ill and fell into a sort of coma. While he was unconscious, he had a most fantastic dream. He was caught between the land of the living and the dead; the place looked like a forest and was populated with creatures with body parts belonging to different animals. The beings repeatedly uttered the word alebrije, and when Linares woke up, he recreated these figures in vivid colors using papier mache techniques and called them alebrijes . His work became famous and eventually influenced artisans in the state of Oaxaca who decided to craft alebrijes using traditional wood carving methods and according to that region's world vision.

Circling the wrist with a hand-knotted nylon wristband in crimson, this bracelet is created by Mexican artisan Janeth Quintanilla. She selects gleaming beads of glass that are displayed alongside a variety of different metal charms, including religious symbols, animals, good luck charms, and hearts.

Guatemala's fertile earth bears the sweetest gifts of nature, a fact celebrated by artisan Victor Hugo Lopez in his vibrant papaya magnet. This exquisite creation, hand-painted and carved from cypress wood, captures the essence of this lush land. Invite the spirit of Guatemala into your kitchen and enjoy the joy that blooms from this symbol of nature's abundance.

A set of four stars is ready to brighten up your holiday tree. Costa Rican artisan Blanca Padilla handcrafts these stars out of the fiber extracted from cabuya, a succulent that looks like agave. The artisan works with the cabuya's natural texture to form the stars, each bordered in a different color.

The art and skill of creating handicrafts from cabuya has been handed down through Blanca Padilla's family for generations. The artisan sources her material herself, growing and harvesting the cabuya, extracting the fiber, and preparing it for use in the handicrafts. Blanca Padilla hopes to help revitalize the cabuya craft industry with the success of her designs.

A set of four trees makes a lovely addition to your holiday decor. Costa Rican artisan Blanca Padilla handcrafts these stars out of the fiber extracted from cabuya, a succulent that looks like agave. The artisan works with the cabuya's natural texture to form the trees, each a different color and topped with a red ribbon bow.

The art and skill of creating handicrafts from cabuya has been handed down through Blanca Padilla's family for generations. The artisan sources her material herself, growing and harvesting the cabuya, extracting the fiber, and preparing it for use in the handicrafts. Blanca Padilla hopes to help revitalize the cabuya craft industry with the success of her designs.

A set of four bells is ready to ring in the holiday on your tree. Costa Rican artisan Blanca Padilla handcrafts these angels out of the fiber extracted from cabuya, a succulent that looks like agave. The artisan works with the cabuya's natural texture to form the bells, each a different color and topped with a gold ribbon bow and red paper flower.

The art and skill of creating handicrafts from cabuya has been handed down through Blanca Padilla's family for generations. The artisan sources her material herself, growing and harvesting the cabuya, extracting the fiber, and preparing it for use in the handicrafts. Blanca Padilla hopes to help revitalize the cabuya craft industry with the success of her designs.