Handcrafted Haitian Folk Art, Boy Looking for Bird Nest, Eco-Friendly Garden Art

Artist- Jhonson Augustin
Born in December, 1971, Johnson Augustin attended primary school but confesses, “It was hard for me to learn.” Shifting focus, he went to work with master metal sculptor, Serge Jolimeau. Before long, he moved to his own shop, where the art became a family affair. Though the metal work is performed almost exclusively by men, Johonson is an “equal opportunity employer.” His sisters have gotten into the act, sanding and varnishing the unfinished pieces.

Johnson recalls with pride the day the Ambassador of Chile came into his shop. “The ambassador saw my works are nice and he invited me to attend a fair at the University of Chile in 2004. I went back in 2005 for the same reason. There were 32 countries to attend the fair and Haiti won the first prize through me.”

As so many, Johnson is grateful for the work that It's Cactus provides for him and well remembers the money distributed to artists throughout Croix-des-Bouquets in the aftermath of the 2010 earthquake. “It was very help me. I am very happy and I ask God to bless you. Now when I sell my products, I send 5 percent to an orphanage in town. I am happy to help too.”

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.