gift for an artist

Bravo pour cette merveille! Votre crèche va rejoindre notre collection de crèches du monde ;chaque année elle sera exposée au coté d'autres crèches dans notre village au moment de Noel. très beau travail, merci.

I bought the first one for myself as a confirmation gift because one of our Deacons, in a class for new Catholics, said every Catholic home must have a few things - one of them was a statue or photo or painting, etc., of our Blessed Mother Mary. I bought the second for a woman in my Bible study, who is from Peru and just moved into a new home. I bought the third one for my sister, because when she saw a photo of mine, she fell in love with it - not for the religious appeal, but from a folk art perspective - and after looking at many online, I can't agree more. I watched the video of how the artisan makes the retablo and it added even greater value to it. I simply love them. I love the scene behind Mary - the high mountains, and the flowers, in a wooden box with doors. I mounted mine on a wall in my home office and see it from where I sit. I'm buying the next one as a thank you gift for a close friend who I will be visiting in a few weeks.

Over time I have purchased a number of Ana Maria's stunning decoupage crosses and decorative boxes. This is the one that began my collection. While the feeling is rustic and antique, the cross itself is finely and perfectly finished--without flaw. The picture doesn't do it justice. There is substance to the pinewood and the edge is beveled and beautifully finished in a muted gold. The metal ring for hanging has the appearance of aged iron.The colors are clear, yet soft. The size is 11 inches high, small enough to fit above a doorway or in a grouping of objects, and still large enough to make an impression when hung alone. This is a very tasteful cross, crafted with care and artistry. I was so happy when I received it, that I immediately ordered a second cross from the artist, the larger "Virgin Morenita Guadalupe."