Handcrafted Haitian Metal Art, Dancing Girl with Birds, Eco-Friendly Garden Decor

Handcrafted Haitian Metal Art, Dancing Girl with Birds, Eco-Friendly Garden Decor 12.375"x11.625"

Artist- Jean Claude Soulouque
Whenever I think of going to Jean Claude Soulouque's house, I think, "Have a Coke and a smile." At his home, you can always count on both. A warmer, more gracious man, I cannot imagine. Having worked with him for many years, ours is a business partnership, yes, but also a friendship. Through his art he has supported his own family, putting both his son and his daughter through school. He is a community leader and role model for many young artists who hope to follow in his footsteps.

As for his own son, Roody "plays around" a little bit with metal sculpture, but sees his future in the business world. He is currently attending business school and also is employed by It's Cactus as our Inventory and Shipments Manager. Jean Claude and his family are among those who benefit greatly from the opportunities that Fair Trade affords. In them, we see success that not only grows, but also spreads.

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.