unusual ornaments

Inspired by the colorful traditions of their country, Guatemalan duo Juan and Carolina create this striking set of four ornaments to add to your home during the holidays. Crafted of pinewood, four jolly calaveras, or skulls in pink, green yellow, and white are painted by hand with colorful floral motifs. The ornaments arrive in a handy storage bag handwoven of cotton.

Jose Arriola depicts six whimsical octopus ornaments in hand-painted terracotta. The charming set comes to life in bright colors as the undersea creatures adorn themselves with flowers. The ornaments arrive in a bag of colorful handwoven cotton.

Shaped of terracotta and painted by hand, the sun and moon embrace in an eclipse. Jose Arriola crafts a set of six ornaments in bright tropical colors and covers them with birds and flowers. The ornaments arrive in a bag of handwoven cotton.

Old Saint Nick is as festive as the Christmas star in a set of four ornaments from Bali. Wayan Cidra, from Bhakti Senang Hat, crafts each albesia wood ornament by hand and paints them red. The set of four ornaments hangs from golden cords.

"I'm the youngest of five siblings and our parents are farmers in Gianyar. I never went to school because of my parent's financial limitations, and also because I got poliomyelitis when I was just a child and it left me with weakened knees. I wanted to help my parents in some way, so I have been crafting ornaments since I was 14 years old. I felt so proud to myself when I received my very first income. Although I'm not really happy with my physical condition, I'm happy doing ornaments and hopefully my products can make more people happy. My hobby is singing traditional Balinese songs. I'm married and we have a son and a daughter. My wife is the one who helps me in making these ornaments, which I hope makes people’s Christmas happier."

Crafted by hand of Mexican copal wood, five loving hearts are hand-painted with intricate, colorful designs. Working in the time-honored tradition of Oaxaca's alebrije sculptures, Claudio Ojeda creates this set of petite ornaments, perfect for home decor or for hanging on the tree.

A bevy of brilliant butterflies are ready to adorn your wall and add color to your home or patio. Balinese artisan Nik crafts the wall accent by hand from steel, and paints the winged beauties in myriad colors.

This highly unusual nativity scene set features the typical personages — Mary, Joseph, Jesus, Wise Men and angel, but all depicted as skeletal figures a la Day of the Dead. They are created by Juan and Carolina of Chichicastenango, Guatemala from pinewood and hand-painted.