hand painted glasses

For the World Peace Project, Andean artisan Asunta Pelaez painted 'Sunset Doves' at her Lima workshop, imagining an idyllic scene with a pair of peace-loving doves that "represent the feminine and masculine duality as it shapes human interaction and solidarity."

She explains that the floral hues and placement of each dove convey the uninhibited harmony of nature. Pelaez works in orange hues to transmit a sensation of creativity and enthusiasm, inspired by the colors of the sky at sundown.

A master of the centuries-old reverse painted glass technique, a style that has become her lifelong passion, Pelaez paints her multicolor design on the reverse side of a pane of glass that she places in a white-painted wooden frame.

Crafted by hand, these pretty coasters will brighten any space. Marlene Guisgueta in Peru paints the flower designs on glass panes, which are then set into the brown wood frames. The set of four coasters arrives with a convenient holder.

What ancient wisdom does this little man have to share? Handcrafted by Chorotega pottery artisan Elpidio Chavarría of the Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica, this ceramic statuette of a seated man with headdress and glasses is the natural sand color of the clay with details painted in dark orange and brown.

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.

Members of Guatemala's Santiago Atitlan Women's Group create a wonderful piece of holiday decor. Wrapping the tree, this garland is handcrafted with petite glass beads in tones of shimmering gold and orange.

These vibrant dangle earrings boast an abstract floral shape that exudes captivating glamor. Showcasing Thai craftsman Panapai's handblown glass artistry, they hang elegantly from lustrous sterling silver hooks, drawing attention to the skilled hand-painting of pigments in striking hues of orange and green. This extraordinary design manifests timeless appeal, making these earrings an irresistible statement of artful sophistication.

Orange and yellow hues merge to create a cheerful and audacious aura in this beaded bracelet by Tina Quaye from Ghana. The artisan helps the environment by using recycled glass beads to craft this beautiful accessory that stretches for a comfortable fit. Titled Aseda, the piece also means "thanksgiving" in the Twi language.

Shades of sky blue and orange shower your style with peaceful and sublime sensations. Adriana Trejo of Mexico weaves each glass bead in a traditional geometric design, letting delicate strands dance at the bottom of these waterfall earrings. Sterling silver hooks complete the piece with comfort.