flowy robes

Costa Rican artisan Blanca Padilla designs and handcrafts this lovely trio of angels from fiber extracted from cabuya or fique, a succulent that looks similar to agave. The cabuya fiber is a beautiful creamy antique white, and the artisan works with its natural texture to from the features of this wall sculpture. Gold thread is woven with the cabuya to accent each angel's halo and the hem of her gown, and she carries a lovely bouquet of paper and natural dried flowers in red, yellow, and green. A star shoots over the trio.

The art and skill of creating handicrafts from cabuya or fique has been handed down through Blanca Padilla's family for generations. The artisan sources her material herself, growing and harvesting the cabuya, extracting the fiber, and preparing it for use in the handicrafts. Blanca Padilla hopes to help revitalize the cabuya craft industry with the success of her designs.

The Angel of Vitality directs prayers skyward in this endearing statuette from Guatemala. "The Angel of Vitality is from a series of sculptures that I created inspired by those beings of light that protect and accompany us. Many people believe in them, so I created this collection of angels for them," Manuel Delfino explains. He hand-carves the angelic sculpture of pinewood featuring removable wings, and paints the angel's red cloak with colorful flowers.

Sitting on the edge of a table, the Angel of Vitality directs prayers skyward in this endearing statuette from Guatemala. "The Angel of Vitality is from a series of sculptures that I created inspired by those beings of light that protect and accompany us. Many people believe in them, so I created this collection of angels for them," Manuel Delfino explains. He hand-carves the angelic sculpture of pinewood featuring removable wings, and paints the angel's red cloak with colorful flowers.

Dressed in a cloak of flowers that spread to his wings, the Angel of Serenity comes from the creative imagination of Manuel Delfino. "This angel is from a series of sculptures that I created inspired by those beings of light that protect and accompany us. Many people believe in them, so I created this collection of angels for them," explains the Guatemalan artisan. He hand-carves the angelic sculpture of pinewood featuring removable wings, and finishes the sculpture with an aged, rustic appearance.