Artisana

The Artisana Collection represents work from multiple artists in the famous Taxco region of Mexico, best known for it’s silver jewelry.  The artisans continue to produce traditional jewelry much like their ancestors. The groups who produce jewelry in this collection have formed cooperatives to pool together their talent and resources – the result has been a positive impact for the individual artisans and a bigger impact on the community. 

One example of a cooperative is The Union Progresista Artesanal (UPA)  which was formed in 1986 and is located in Taxco el Viejo.  The cooperative is made up of 26 jewelry makers who work collaboratively to sell a beautiful collection of jewelry; the group uses a wide range of beautiful materials that range from abalone, mother of pearl, sterling silver, Taxco silver, and much more. UPA has achieved stable income for many members of its community and bettered the community through initiatives that include support of local schools and programming geared towards the youth.  Artisans often work out of their homes and are paid fair wages.  The Fair Trade jewelry is not only beautiful, but each purchase helps to transform lives. 

Nepal’s felt industry is deeply rooted in centuries-old traditions, passed down from generation to generation. The production process begins with the collection of locally sourced wool, primarily from Himalayan sheep, renowned for their fine quality fleece. Skilled artisans then meticulously clean, card, and separate the wool fibers to create a uniform mass.

Once the wool fibers are prepared, the felting process commences. This technique involves applying heat, moisture, and pressure to the fibers, causing them to interlock and form a dense, sturdy material. In Nepal, artisans use traditional wet felting methods, where the wool fibers are soaked in warm soapy water and rolled together by hand, or with the aid of specialized tools, until they fuse into a cohesive felt fabric.

Felt is an eco-friendly material, as it is made from natural fibers and does not involve harmful chemicals or synthetic additives. Additionally, the wool used in Nepal’s felt production often comes from small-scale local farmers, promoting fair trade and supporting rural communities.

African Modern works with artisan groups from Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Kenya, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and South Africa.

No creation that their team handles carries the impersonal imprint of a factory line. Everything is warm, speaking of its maker's humanity through subtleties and singularities. All goods are handmade and promote sustainable, long-term economic development, mobilizing skilled artisans to refine their craft and shape healthy communities.