Dried Gourd with Burned Image of an Elephant from Peru - Earth Tone Elephant Art Games + Toys hand-carving copal wood and painting

hand-carving copal wood and painting the owl in their country's prized alebrije motif

A striking set of six cobalt blue glasses forms part of the Novica Handblown Collection

Green like the earth symbolizes health and land

pink and fuchsia with golden accents

rings and die cut scraps become ophthalmologic equipment and the whimsical figures stand on a die plate

Dried Gourd with Burned Image of an Elephant from Peru - Earth Tone Elephant Art Games + Toys hand-carving copal wood and paintingThe creation of decorative and utilitarian objects from dried mate gourds have a history that stretches to long before the Spanish arrived in South America. Peruvian artisan Daniel Vargas uses wood burning techniques to create this image of an approaching elephant in shades of brown. He then seals it with candle wax and adds a wood handle to open the hollow gourd box. The natural shape of the gourd dictates size and shape, so each one will be a unique