Ruby Hummingbird | Balsa Wood Ornament | Fair Trade
Celebrate the beauty and grace of hummingbirds with this exclusive ruby-throated hummingbird ornament. Made by an amazing cooperative of artisans from Isla Solentiname, Nicaragua, each lightweight ornament is hand-carved from sustainably harvested balsa wood and painted with striking detail to capture all the elegance of these fascinating birds.
Collectors of hummingbird ornaments will appreciate their size (approximately 5" x 2") that makes them ideal for hanging on holiday trees or displaying in curio cabinets all year round. And because they’re crafted using non-toxic acrylics, they make perfectly safe accents for young families too! Whether you hang it from your Christmas tree or add it to your seasonal decorating, this ruby-throated hummingbird ornament is sure to be a cherished addition to your collection. Plus you can feel good knowing that each purchase goes a long way in making fair wages possible for the artisans who have lovingly crafted them.
This unique, lightweight ornaments are created by a cooperative of artisans on Isla Solentiname, Nicaragua. Each ornament is inspired by nature, carefully hand-carved with a machete, and painted with realistic detail. Fair Trade.
Material: Sustainably harvested balsa wood and non-toxic acrylic paint.
Approximate size: 5" x 2"
MEET THE ARTISANS:
Isla Solentiname Balsa Cooperative
Isla Solentiname, Nicaragua
Isla Solentiname is located in Lake Nicaragua near the Costa Rica border. It is comprised of a group of four large islands and around 30 smaller islands. The total population is around 1000 people. We had learned about the balsa wood cooperative in Solentiname back in 2000 while working in Costa Rica. The idea of journeying to the island to investigate the possibility of a partnership was finally made a reality in 2015. The trek to Solentiname takes all day with a combination of car and boat transport. We were surprised to find on our first trip how truly undeveloped the island is. There is no electricity on the island and only footpaths.
The balsa is sustainably grown and harvested on the island. The cooperative members are excellent carvers who initially use a machete to remove the bark from the balsa tree and then a smaller paring knife to sculpt their creation. Several passes with different grits of sandpaper follow the carving and then finally the piece is ready to be painted. Most families work as part of a team on their orders, sharing the task of carving and painting. What we love most about this group is their willingness to help each other while they are designing new piece. It could be by correcting the proportions of a template or perfecting the shading of a piece.