Novica artisans always strive to craft high-quality, environmentally-conscious pieces. They look for ways to reuse and repurpose materials, and have discovered creative methods of sculpting ornaments out of recycled cardboard and paper. Leftover materials from past projects, such as albesia wood, felt, and even cement, all find new life in eco-friendly ornaments. Each artist lists their materials under product details. You will find complete transparency in those descriptions and discover a large selection of eco-friendly Christmas decorations.
The most commonly used materials for handmade ornaments depends on resources available to the craftsman. Balinese artisans incorporate hand-painted wood and iron. Artisans in India, Central America, and Mexico work in clay, ceramics, and natural fibers. But even when regions utilize the same materials, their unique craftsmanship shines through in style and design. In India, the ancient technique of zardozi embroidery uses thin copper wires to make beautiful, sparkling Christmas ornaments. Artists are able to take common, everyday elements and turn them into extraordinary, one-of-a-kind pieces.
We love giving ornaments as gifts because they are creative, unique, and meaningful during the holiday season. Whether youre looking for hand-painted works, beaded wonders, or woven treasures, each one is a piece of culture and history. Look for whimsical ornaments from Thailand designed with images of elephants and bells. Search for matte chiseled pumpkins and owls by Peruvian artisans. Central American ornaments delight with hand-painted perfection. Whether you choose a decorative stocking from West Africa or a hand-blown glass masterpiece from the Andes, decorations are a wonderful way to spread some holiday cheer!
Hand painted ornaments differ significantly from region to region. Each depicts specific themes and images important to the culture. In the Andes, ornaments often feature owls, costumed characters, and angels. Bali expresses its festivities with design focused around stars, snowflakes, and traditional Christmas figures. Thailand, Mexico and India have popularized designs surrounding animals and intricate depictions of nature. Handmade ornaments are festive works that highlight the unique skills and cultures of artisans from around the world.
Excellent question! Decorations should definitely be handled with care. Store them in clean, safe spaces with minimal exposure to harsh particles. For extra precaution, pack each ornament separately so as to avoid breakage. Most ornaments do not require extensive cleaning, but if it should become necessary, always use soaps and detergents free from harsh chemicals. Mostly, a simple wipe should be enough to remove dust and tree debris.
From table tops to floor set-ups beneath the Christmas tree, nativity scenes are a traditional holiday centerpiece in homes around the world. Often entire families come together to partake in the experience. While there is no single right way to set up a nativity scene, certain details tend to cross regional and cultural divides. Biblical characters, animals and religious props often form the foundation of the nativity scene, while customizable pieces add extra flare. Hanging stars showcase the night sky. Decorated motifs, backdrops, ornaments, and figurines may be used to embellish a simple scene.
Absolutely! Artisans that create beaded ornaments use skills passed down for generations. Whether beads are hand-sewn onto fabric, as is the case with many of our Indian ornaments, or strung onto nylon twine, as with many West African ornaments, each piece is made with careful attention to detail.
Different cultures and regions celebrate the holidays in their own unique ways, emphasizing various decor, art, and symbolism. In the Andes, for example, Christmas ornaments consist of clay pendants in the shapes of fruit, animals, and multicolored, knitted fabrics. Bali utilizes wood, iron and even recycled paper to craft ornaments, which are often in the shape of stars, Santa Claus figurines, snowflakes, and reindeer. In the regions of Brazil and Thailand, artisans utilize hand-painted ceramics, wood, and natural fibers, while Mexico is famous for their pottery and clay. India specializes in pieces made out of decorative embroidery. Each region crafts celebratory ornaments that highlight the unique customs and art forms within their communities.
These Tree of Love ornaments are unique and super cute! You can't help but love them. They will be gifts for Christmas. I may have to order more because I'm keeping one. They look exactly like the picture. Great job Eka!
I'm not usually a big one for gold, but these beautiful trees are perfect. You can see the four different colors easily, but they shimmer in the light. Again, I will probably order more so I have some for my tree and some to use in place of bows on Christmas packages. Thannks again, Novica!
A beautiful blend of the secular (a Christmas tree) and the sacred (a Nativity scene). Every figure is handmade and exquisitely done. Everyone who sees it, admires it.
"I enjoy my work because it's a lovely way to make a living. I give thanks to God for giving me this life, for health, and for blessing my hands with this talent."
"I'm Leonor Quispe Urbano and I was born in Ayacucho where I grew up. But terrorism was terrible in those parts of the Andes, so we moved to... read more
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The Summer Catalog
Discover our unique collection of beautiful, handmade objects from around the world, inspired by more than a century of exploration.