wonderful decor

A myriad shades of blue conjure a cool and soothing universe in this elegant nierika, or votive beadwork painting by Kupihaute. Scorpions scuttle purposefully around the center of the composition, which takes the shape of a flower with five wide petals.

The artist, who writes fluently in the Huichol, Nahuatl and English languages, talks about this work in his own words. "From the focal center of the nierika, the precious flower arises in spiral movement as the culminating expression of the deepest roots. The blossom is keeping in its entrails the seed that will disseminate the power of creative energy. This is symbolized by the scorpions that, in their wonderful body symmetry, show the essence of the power itself, since any imbalance in its mating dance, any missing the target, will cause its own poisoning and thus its own death. Therefore the symbol of cosmos, of order is shown in their mouths and the tails."

The intricate images are formed with tiny seed beads. Kupihuate patiently places them one at a time with a needle made of abalone shell onto a huanacaxtle wood backing. Beeswax is used instead of glue.

The process is totally spontaneous, with no previous sketch or design. It is guided by the artist's unconscious to tell the stories that remain in our collective ancestral memory. He signs his work with the symbol of a butterfly on the reverse side of the nierika.

A testament of faith can also be a wonderful accent to hang at your favorite spot at home like this precious decennary rosary handmade from onyx and nylon cords featuring a resin-coated brass medal of St. Benedict. Crafted by Costa Rican artisan Omayra Jaramillo, it is designed to show on the wall or be held in the hand while praying.

Add some holiday glamour to your tree with this wonderful tree topper from India's Arti Sharma. The sparkling topper is crafted from aluminium in the shape of a snowflake, and lavishly adorned with red glass beads and faceted clear acrylic 'stones'.

Add some dazzle to your tree with this wonderful tree topper from India's Arti Sharma. The sparkling topper is crafted from aluminium in the shape of a snowflake, and lavishly adorned with silvery glass beads and faceted clear acrylic 'stones'.

Aseda means "thanks" in the Ghanaian Akan language and artisan Phelicia Darko-Quagriane thought it was the best word to call her set of four charming beaded ornaments that will brighten up your Christmas tree. She threads recycled glass beads onto steel wires to craft the ornaments that can be hung from red cotton cords and that are a wonderful addition to your holiday decorations.