year round decorations

A simple bench can be a symbol of togetherness for those who are in love, just as this pair of wood postcard-style greeting cards by Armenia's Vardan and Nona shows in its sweet details. The team adorns the set with a tender cut-out scene between young lovers resting under Armenian letters that read "I love you." Accented with hand-painted motifs, the pair arrives with handy stands so the receiver can display their card year-round.

Magnificent on the Christmas tree or for year-round display, this set of four ornaments is masterfully crafted by Mario Rodenas in Guatemala. He crafts the two blond-crested woodpeckers and two yellow-crowned woodpeckers from ceramic, painting them by hand in loving detail.

A three-dimensional turtle strolls across the sand in this decorative plate. Handcrafted by Chorotega pottery artisan Ilsa Chavarría of the Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica, the round decorative plaque is the natural color of the ceramic in the center and bordered with a dark red curved line motif rimmed in bands of orange and black. Maguey fiber cord is threaded through the top of the plaque for easy display.

Chorotega pottery is completely handmade with traditional techniques passed down through the generations for 3,000 years, and one of the last surviving cultural elements of the Chorotega people indigenous to Costa Rica’s Guanacaste region and Nicoya Peninsula. Chorotega pottery is made from local clay mixed with a very fine freshwater sand. The artisans shape the clay on hand-operated pottery wheels and hand-polish the art piece to give it a smooth texture and luster. Designs are etched by hand and the pieces are painted with natural pigments made from pulverized local colored rocks mixed with water, then fired in traditional wood-burning brick kilns. The result is a beautiful, earthen pottery unique to this region.

This ceramic decorative vase is handcrafted by Chorotega pottery artisan Harry García of the Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica. The round vase is hand-painted with bands of dark brown featuring a variety of linear and geometric motifs whose etching lets the natural ceramic sand color show through.

Chorotega pottery is completely handmade with traditional techniques passed down through the generations for 3,000 years, and one of the last surviving cultural elements of the Chorotega people indigenous to Costa Rica’s Guanacaste region and Nicoya Peninsula. Chorotega pottery is made from local clay mixed with a very fine freshwater sand. The artisans shape the clay on hand-operated pottery wheels and hand-polish the art piece to give it a smooth texture and luster. Designs are etched by hand and the pieces are painted with natural pigments made from pulverized local colored rocks mixed with water, then fired in traditional wood-burning brick kilns. The result is a beautiful, earthen pottery unique to this region.

Beautifully embellishing a teal blue fabric, Parvez A. Warsi creates a stunning set of ornaments. Splendid hearts and diamonds mingle with crosses, stars and fleur-de-lis. Crafted by hand, each of the ten lovely ornaments is covered with sequins, beadwork and golden zardozi embroidery.

Warsi includes a drawstring pouch; its color may vary.

This inspiring tree top star ornament by Renu Rani brings a peaceful message from the sky. The white tree topper is crafted of wool felt as golden sequins embellish the front and backside with a special sparkle. The bottom of the star features an opening to fit onto the top of the tree.

Six sleepy cherubs, complete with pajamas and nightcaps, hang from red strings in this set of ornaments by India's Renu Rani. Crafted from wool felt and stuffed with polyester, the ornaments feature hand-embroidered details--right down to the eyelashes. A festive addition to your holidays!

Inspired by the beauty and grandeur of ancient Persia, Mohammed Hussain Baba crafts this lovely decorative box. Kashmir is host to a variety of beautiful flowers year-round and has a long history of papier mache arts, brought to Kashmir in the 15th century. Crafted on a base of weeping willow wood, this petite container is hand-painted with floral motifs.

Charles recreates the twelve-year cycle of Thailand's zodiac with this beautifully decorative tray. Crafted of brass, it depicts an elephant — symbol of old Siam — in the center. The traditional rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog and pig appear around the border. The exquisite openwork adds attractive texture.

Popularized in Sweden, Dala horses are a Christmas favorite worldwide because of their cheerful designs and bright colors. From the island of Bali, artisan Komang Sulaksana creates his own interpretation of the Swedish tradition, hand-painting each of these four horses with a unique character that brings cheer to the holidays.

Whether you hang them on the Christmas tree or display them year round, you're sure to admire the beauty of this ornament set from Mario Rodenas in Guatemala. The four blond-crested woodpeckers are crafted from ceramic and meticulously painted by hand.

This ceramic decorative vase is handcrafted by Chorotega pottery artisan Harry García of the Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica. The round vase is hand-painted a deep brown featuring a variety of linear and geometric motifs whose etching lets the natural ceramic sand color show through.

Chorotega pottery is completely handmade with traditional techniques passed down through the generations for 3,000 years, and one of the last surviving cultural elements of the Chorotega people indigenous to Costa Rica’s Guanacaste region and Nicoya Peninsula. Chorotega pottery is made from local clay mixed with a very fine freshwater sand. The artisans shape the clay on hand-operated pottery wheels and hand-polish the art piece to give it a smooth texture and luster. Designs are etched by hand and the pieces are painted with natural pigments made from pulverized local colored rocks mixed with water, then fired in traditional wood-burning brick kilns. The result is a beautiful, earthen pottery unique to this region.