long dress

Pine needles are not often associated with basketry, but when the long pine needles of Mexico's highlands meet the nimble fingers of its artisans, the results are magic. By central Mexican artisan Laura Villalvazo, set of four circular placemats are created in a coiled fashion with a braided accent.

Ghanaian Frank Odei Amoani creates this delightful pair of statuettes that make a unique addition to home decor. Carved by hand from sese wood, the artisan's own design features a couple with matching head wear, expressions, and hollowed eyes and mouths. The female statuette has long braids that cascade down her shoulders, and the male statuette has a long beard which he combs with his hands. The artisan uses local clay to give an attractive distressed finish to the statuettes, accentuating their natural appeal. The name awarefoo comes from an Akan word which translates to "married couple."

Luis Alberto Gutiérrez pays tribute to his country's pre-Columbian heritage with this striking ceramic sculpture painted with a terracotta color created using pulverized stone. Long-tailed lizards appear to crawl up each of the handmade sculpture's three slender legs, while two rings of dots adorn the base of the vessel's long neck. The tripod's design is influenced by similar ceramic objects crafted by Costa Rica's indigenous peoples many centuries ago. "These are the vessels our ancestors used in funeral rituals, where they deposited the funeral remains together with other ceramic pieces and metals; these pieces carry with them a great deal of history and they comprise many years of antiquity," explains the artisan.

The carefully-chosen colour combination of this set of 5 beaded strands creates a richness that is not possible with a single one. By Mirian Zet, the necklaces are crafted in various tones — white faux pearls, a strand of black, russet brown and of bamboo beige, and faceted crystals in burnt sienna. The lovely strands can be worn separately combined with other jewellery.

The bold, but not overly so, geometric designs on this pullover draw the eye up towards your face. Created in 100% alpaca by Anaychay of Peru, this sweater is both soft and warm, and will be a favorite all winter. Once reserved for Inca royalty, alpaca is extremely warm yet lightweight.