ARTISANS MAKE PROGRESS WITH FIRST ROUND OF BIRD ORNAMENTS
April 07, 2022
February 19, 2022
As we moved into the afternoon of the second day of Amazon Ecology's Artisan Facilitator training workshop in the community of Amazonas, all of the participants were close to completing at least one of the woven bird assigned to their group.
A few of the artisans with several years of experience had almost finished making two northern cardinals - the model representing this popular bird in the US. It was impressive as well to see advances in more complicated models like the great blue heron, marvelous spatule-tail hummingbird and chestnut-eared aracari.
These ornaments will be available for sale at our online store after I get home in April.
Benjamin completes one cardinal ornament
Ketty makes progress on great blue heron ornament
Paquita makes weaves body on chestnut-eared aracari ornament with chambira palm fiber
Great blue heron ornament being woven with chambira palm fiber
Andrea spent months working with this designer and four artisans to make dozens of colorful balsa wood birds and giant chambira butterflies. The birds included an egret, tiger heron, toucan, macaws and a kingfisher. When we stopped at the mall after visiting the aquarium, I loved seeing these creatures twirl around in a mild breeze.
I was most happy to hear the Chino artisans wanted to resume attending our bird ornament workshops. Half of them have made some birds based on what they learned five years ago, but they were eager to improve the quality of these woven animals they could sell to their visitors and have secure sales to us.
I selected a few baskets laid out on benches and placed an order for elegant two-color models. Lindy reported good progress making lady bug ornaments and planned to attend our artisan facilitator training. We were happy the group looked forward to hosting a bird-making workshop in July with artisans from 3 Tahuayo communities.
