be different art

Featuring handwoven areas with open spaces, this composition is inspired and original. The technique has been passed down through generations of Mexico's Otomi people, and carried on by Edgar Trejo. He works with vegetable dye on handmade amate, or tree bark paper, which takes several days to procure through a complex process. Amate was a sacred material for the Aztec and Mayan peoples, historically used to write down and chronicle important events and trade, even serving as the bridge between the mortal and the spiritual worlds during religious ceremonies. According to Otomi traditions, the bark used to produce amate can only be extracted from a tree during certain parts of the lunar cycle, indicating the high level of respect held toward nature. With a freehand geometric floral design, this folk art painting is full of history. A spiral shape twirls in the center.

[This is a single sculpture; photo showcases two angles]"'No War' stands for the human right to love within a world of peace and friendship," says the artist, "While historically and socially constructed ethnic and cultural identities further divide the collective, each human retains the right to choose which face they show to the world; one of love, or one of hate. There will be war if there is a conflict, but there will be peace if there is love.

"This world's human race is diverse," the artist continues. "I want to show that ethnic and cultural differences can coexist peacefully. If humans have love and good friendship, they can create a beautiful world."

Depicted on this sculpture are polar opposite faces, one that seeks peace, and another that desires war. Thailand's Somyot Sawasdee wishes to advance global peace, and to create a beautiful world for future generations. He strives to help advance that goal through the power of art.

Sawasdee crafted this one-of-a-kind sculpture from local recycled paper mixed with cement for rigidity. In a process perfected through years of experimentation, the artist intentionally supports efforts to "divert waste from landfills, to further societal cooperation."The artist explains (translated from Thai), the sculpture "holds the word 'NO WAR,' in which N = human; O = love; W = world; A = peace; R = friendship."

Start a new series of adventures, experiences and memories with a handy accessory from the captivating Guatemalan lands. Designer Gaby Briz and a talented team of artisans work with different materials to create a joyous composition of classic regional details, later printed on the cardboard cover of this lined journal featuring 100 paper pages. Accented with the word Guatemala in graceful calligraphy, the piece—equipped with a plastic coil binding—honors the best of the region's arts.

Start a new series of adventures, experiences and memories with a handy accessory from the tropical Guatemalan lands. Designer Gaby Briz and a talented team of artisans work with different materials to create an expressionist composition of a man wearing a traditional monkey mask, later printed on the cardboard cover of this lined journal featuring 100 paper pages. Accented with the word Guatemala in tasteful calligraphy, the piece—equipped with a plastic coil binding—honors the best of the region's customs.

Start a new series of adventures, experiences and memories with a handy accessory from the gorgeous Guatemalan lands. Designer Gaby Briz and a talented team of artisans work with different materials to create a classic composition of the Santa Catalina Arch, later printed on the cardboard cover of this lined journal featuring 100 paper pages. Accented with the Spanish title Guatemala Antigua Guatemala in elegant calligraphy, the piece—equipped with a plastic coil binding—honors the best of the region's landscapes.

Start a new series of adventures, experiences and memories with a handy accessory from the enchanting Guatemalan lands. Designer Gaby Briz and a talented team of artisans work with different materials to create a gorgeous composition of Lake Atitlan, later printed on the cardboard cover of this lined journal featuring 100 paper pages. Accented with the Spanish title Guatemala Lago de Atitlan in dapper calligraphy, the piece—equipped with a plastic coil binding—honors the best of the region's landscapes.

Start a new series of adventures, experiences and memories with a handy accessory from the captivating Guatemalan lands. Designer Gaby Briz and a talented team of artisans work with different materials to create a vibrant composition of a quetzal bird, later printed on the cardboard cover of this lined journal featuring 100 paper pages. Accented with the word Guatemala in refined calligraphy, the piece—equipped with a plastic coil binding—honors the best of the region's fauna.

Ana Maria Gonzalez finds inspiration in Mexico's lotería (bingo) for the design of this jewelry box. Featuring two drawers and a compartment under the lid, the box is adorned with decoupage. The traditional lotería includes 54 different images and numbers, and it is believed to have been brought to Mexico in 1769, when it was reserved for the upper classes. Eventually it became widely played by everyone, and is now a trademark at traditional fairs as well as in homes and schools.

Start a new series of adventures, experiences and memories with a handy accessory from the beautiful Guatemalan lands. Designer Gaby Briz and a talented team of artisans work with different materials to create a cheerful composition of a classic Chicken bus, later printed on the cardboard cover of this lined journal featuring 100 paper pages. Accented with the word Guatemala in refined calligraphy, the piece—equipped with a plastic coil binding—honors the best of the region's traditions.

"Enjoy these musically inspired earrings from my collection!" invites Ghanaian designer Akwele Suma. She crafts the earrings by hand, cutting paper from different printed sources and securing the discs with brown linen threads. Featuring sese wood beads, the earrings hang from brass wires.

The artist uses the paper at hand so paper colors will vary, making each design a unique example of handcrafted art. These beads receive a protective coat of clear nail polish.

Akwele Suma takes her inspiration for this bracelet from the emergence of the sun at dawn and its rays across the sky. "Each day is a new beginning, we can always start fresh," shares the Ghanaian artist. She crafts the bracelet by hand, cutting paper from different printed sources and rolling them into spindles that alternate with sese wood beads.

The artist uses the paper at hand so paper colors will vary, making each design a unique example of handcrafted art. These beads receive a protective coat of clear nail polish.

Featuring a palette of multiple hues, these earrings are a unique creation by Akwele Suma. "They remind me of berries," the Ghanaian designer confides. She crafts the earrings by hand, cutting paper from different printed sources and securing the discs with red silk threads to form a spindle shape. Featuring sese wood beads, the earrings hang from brass wires.

The artist uses the paper at hand so paper colors will vary, making each design a unique example of handcrafted art. These beads receive a protective coat of clear nail polish.