different decor

Colorful doors open on to the Chapel of Santa Ana, where expressive figures celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Alejandro Chavez portrays his characters in traditional Andean attire, as a sense of divine luminosity gracefully descends upon the scene. This form of Peruvian folk art is known as the retablo, especially characteristic of the Ayacucho region. The wooden frame is crafted by hand, while the artisan fills the shelves with tiny ceramic figures painted to joyous perfection.

Highly revered and beloved by the Mexican people, the Virgin of Guadalupe inspires Ana Maria Gonzalez to create a collection of decoupage crosses in her honor. In 1999, Pope John Paul II named Our Lady of Guadalupe patron saint of the Americas, and she is celebrated on December 12. Her well-known image miraculously appeared on the Saint Juan Diego's robe, where he was carrying Castilian roses as proof of her appearance to him. Guadalupe sent him to the Spanish bishop to convince him to a build a church in her honor. In this cross, Guadalupe is welcomed into Heaven by God and His angels.

Hand-painted with a bouquet of colorful floral motifs, this ceramic wall cross brings the beauty of Talavera handicrafts to any home. Mexican artisan Pedro Tecayehuatl creates this beautiful addition to your wall decor.

Talavera is a distinctive art form brought to Mexico by artisans from Talavera de la Reina, Spain. The ceramic artisans of Puebla, Mexico then incorporated Chinese designs, thus creating the blue and oyster-white patterns traditionally associated with Talavera Poblana. Today there are also more "contemporary" designs that include yellow, green, orange, mauve, black and red.

National and international conventions require that a rigorous procedure be followed in the elaboration of authentic Talavera-style ceramics. Each individual piece will be slightly different, and therefore a unique work of art.

By Peruvian artisan Alejandro Chavez, this wall mirror celebrates the traditional nativity. In the style of traditional retablos, Chavez diligently crafts a variety of different figurines from ceramic, painted by hand within a wood frame that surrounds a mirror in the center. The upper portion of the frame depict the nativity, while the left and right sections depict scenes with angels, a villager, and a chicken. The bottom section depicts a group of villagers traveling to view the newborn child.

Eastern and Western spiritual beliefs coexist in this fabulous beaded home accent you can hang and display at your favorite spot at home. Designed by Costa Rica's Adriana Gölcher, it is entirely crafted by hand featuring 21 clear crystal beads and seven crystal beads in different colors to represent the seven chakras. The lovely accessory is complemented by a stainless steel pendant of Saint Benedict and comes with a twisted sterling silver wire hanger.

By Peruvian artisan Alejandro Chavez, this wall mirror celebrates the traditional nativity. In the style of traditional retablos, Chavez diligently crafts a variety of different figurines from ceramic, painted by hand within a wood frame that surrounds a mirror in the center. The upper portion of the frame depict the nativity, while the left and right sections depict a hat and a mask shop. The bottom section depicts a group of musicians dancing and playing traditional music.

An original set of Christmas ornaments, these tiny retablos celebrate the birth of Jesus. Retablos were originally intended as altar pieces featuring different scenes from the Bible. Alejandro Chavez handcrafts the miniature nativity scenes from plaster of Paris. Each character is shaped and painted individually and painted with bright hues.

Seated on a tiger, Shiva lifts a hand in blessing. Regarded as the celestial overlord of deliverance through destruction, Shiva has his customary trident by his side as a show of divinity. The hissing cobra that slithers around his head symbolizes his potent divine destructivity, and his matted hair is thought to contain the flow of the Ganges River. Shiva is one of the most complex gods of India, embodying seemingly contradictory qualities. He is both the destroyer and the restorer, the great ascetic and the symbol of sensuality, the benevolent herdsman of souls and the wrathful avenger. Unaffected by the whims of the world, he is innocent and guileless, pure of mind and heart. He does not adorn his body with jewels or flowers — he mats his hair and dresses in animal hide.

Ida Bagus Lawa Bargawa is a master of the batik technique, sketching the figures by hand and applying the wax resist freehand, which requires great skill. A different dye bath is required for each separate color in his elegant and complex batik "painting."