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Recycling metal into new practical and decorative objects is fantastic, and that's what a group of Haitian
artisans was doing before their devastating earthquake. With your support, it's what they'll be doing again
to earn money for their families.
With the help of Comite Artisanal Haitien (CAH), which seeks out markets for the products of Haitian artisans as a way for them to earn a living,
they'll begin to rebuild Haiti's economy and infrastructure.
The artisans who craft these recycled metal drum pieces are in Cite Soleil, plus poor areas near Port-au-Prince, Haiti's capital.
The houses of many of the artisans near Port-au-Prince have been destroyed.
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Aquarium Wall Decoration
$110.00
CAH:MTL-AQUA
22.5" diameter x .75" deep
Three fish not enough for you? No problem! We've got a recycled Haitian metal "aquarium" for you!
At almost 4 pounds, this is a substantially beautiful creation, teeming with sealife, including starfish, sea turtles, water plants, and a wide variety of fish.
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Haitian Recycled Metal
Cat Luminary
$39.00
HATI:METAL-LUM-CAT
13" high, 3.5" wide, 14" long
Most cat "owners" will tell you that their cats think they're the brightest animal of all in their household;
these luminaries make that be true, albeit with a visual sense of bright. In the back of this recycled metal
cat is a little hinged door and a metal tray inside so you can insert a tea light.
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Haitian Recycled Metal
Owl Luminary
$46.00
HATI:METAL-LUM-OWL
12" high, 2.5" wide, 7.5" long
Wise owls also have an opinion on "bright".
A hinged door in the back of this owl luminary enables you to insert a tea light into a metal tray.
These practical and decorative owls are a wise use of scrap metal, and will help Haitians start to rebuild their lives.
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Haitian Recycled Metal
Fish Luminary
$46.00
HATI:METAL-LUM-FISH
11.5" high, 2.5" wide, 14.5" long
Anyone with an appreciation of fish or a room with sea life decor will love this Haitian recycled metal fish luminary.
As with the other luminaries, a hinged door in the back enables you to insert a tea light into a metal tray.
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Haitian Recycled Metal
Painted Flower Bowl
$22.00
HATI:METAL-BOWL-PT
5" high, 5" diameter
Bright colors adorn the flower designs in this recycled metal bowl.
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Haitian Recycled Metal
Seaweed Bowl
$13.50
HATI:METAL-BOWL
3.5" high, 5" diameter
This natural curved metal bowl, in a seaweed design,
will be a fine addition to just about any room.
(Sorry - out of stock.)
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More about the artisan group
Founded in 1973, Comite Artisanal Haitian (CAH) is a non-profit organization that works with more than 200 Haitian artisans.
Haiti is the poorest country in the western hemisphere, where 80% of the people live on less than $2 per day and jobs are scarce or non-existent.
The CAH artisans depend on their craftmaking as the sole source of income
to support themselves and their families.
The artisans are either a part of cooperatives or craft groups such as family workshops, or independent artisans.
Georges Liataud, a blacksmith born in 1899, in Croix-de-Bouquets, a small town 30 minutes outside of Haiti's capital, Port-au-Prince, is
credited with being the "father" of Haitian ironwork.
Haitian ironwork is now known throughout the world as beautiful works of art made from recycled metal.
Artisans purchase industrial 55-gallon drums and then stuff them with straw which is burned to remove residue from the drum.
The metal is then cut and flattened, a design is chalked on and then the metal piece is cut and hammered into whimsical,
uniquely Haitian recycled art. The artisan's creativity is inspired by themes familiar to their island life, sea life and religion.
CAH provides marketing and promotional expertise, training in literacy and business skills,
fair wages and advances on orders and financial assistance in case of health emergencies.
With the devastating January 12th, 2010 earthquake in Haiti, all the artisans of Comite Artisanal Haitian will need our support more than ever.
Words cannot adequately express the tragedy of Haiti's devastating earthquake.
The One World Project family extends our deepest sympathies to all those affected by this natural disaster.
We're thankful to report that many of our Haitian artisan partners have survived,
although some are injured; others are still missing.
The soapstone carvers are in an area very close to the epicenter; they are back working again,
while rebuilding their houses and gathering tools.
We invite you to browse through our Haitian artisan products.
Many items are now back in stock!
We hope that you will continue to support the Haitian people and so
we'd like to generate new orders for them!
Under many out of stock items is an "E-mail me when in stock" e-mail link.
This will tell us how many items we should request from the artisans,
and it assures them that their work will continue.
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43 Ellicott Ave 