Handmade Haitian Folk Art, Metal Beach Home Decor, Sea Turtle & Sea Horse Art, 10"x10"

Artist- Kendy Bellony
With the encouragement of his older brother, Caleb, 10- year- old Kendy Bellony took hammer and chisel in hand and began the practice of “coupe de fer” or cutting iron. At the time, he was attending school, along with his two younger sisters. Their father had died and the extra income that Kendy could provide was vital to the family.

“Caleb saw that I was very intelligent and could make beautiful designs. By age 15, I was selling my pieces in the shop of my uncle. I also sold in a gallery in Petionville. I had a lot of big customers. Then Caleb gave me more good advice. He said I should send samples to Casey Riddell of It's Cactus, so I did that. Now she is buying my work to sell in the United States. She is my patronne, and I am very happy about that!”

Fair trade isn't just a good idea - its the way we do business.

We offer a hand up, not a hand out to our artist partners in Haiti. Each sale of their metal sculptures represents a positive step toward a better life.

The center of Haitian metal sculpture is the village of Croix-des-Bouquets, where the clanging sound of hammers striking chisels is a constant music. To begin, the artist chalks his design onto the metal. Chisels, dies and a large hammer are used to cut and shape the piece, giving it form and texture. When the highly intricate and physically demanding work is complete and the artist is satisfied with his work, he signs his name boldly with a small chisel and applies a clear, weather-proof coating. The result is a wonderful, fair trade piece of handcrafted art.

It's Cactus takes the artists through the next steps. By collaborating with them on design creation, placing orders, paying fair wages, and taking Haitian metal sculptures to the global market, great strides are made in helping the craftsmen of Croix-des-Bouquets help themselves. Guided by cultural respect and conscientious business practice, Beyond Borders and its Haitian artists work toward their mutual goals of uplifting lives.

This metal sculpture is meant for display indoors or out, but if you choose to display yours outside, be aware that the protective, weather-proof coating will wear off over time. To keep your sculpture looking just like it did the day you bought it, take five minutes once a year to apply a spray-on clear enamel coating.

A few nails and a hammer are all you'll need to hang your sculpture. Look for a place where the design is joined or notched and put the first nail there. Use a second and possibly a third nail, if the piece is large, in other joined or notched design elements within the sculpture to straighten and secure it to the wall. The nails will "disappear" with the piece. Simple as that.