Fique.Fique is a natural fiber that grows in the leaves of the fique plant (Furcraea andina ), a xerophytic monocot native to Andean regions of Colombia. From here it was extended to Venezuela and the east coast of Brazil.The pre-Columbian inhabitants extracted and used the fique fibers for several centuries before the arrival of Spanish conquerors to make garments, ropes, hammocks and many other applications.
Iraca Palm.Iraca is a vegetable material cultivated in mild regions of Colombia and used by many communities to create baskets and other ornamental/functional products. Usiacuri is one of the most well know regions in Colombia working with this material. One of our featured designers, Marisol, works with women heads of families in that municipality preserving their trade and introducing new techniques and contemporary designs.
Tagua. Tagua (”tah-gwa”), also called ‘ivory nut’ or ‘vegetable ivory’ is the dried seedpod of the Tagua Palm tree which grows in tropical rainforests of South America. Tagua nuts grow in large armoured clusters with each cluster containing many nuts. They range in size from a small olive to an orange and average about the size of a walnut. When ripe, the nuts fall to the ground and are gathered and dried from four to eight weeks, after which they become extremely hard. Using a saw, Tagua nuts are sliced or cut in the desired shape. Holes are then drilled depending on the purpose and design. Once whole nuts or slices are ready the next step is to dye pieces in desired colors.
Silk Cocoon. Silk is an animal fiber, but rather than being animal fur, silk is the fiber from the cocoon of the silk worm moth.Like other moths, the silk worm moth has a four stage life cycle: egg, larva or caterpillar, pupa, and adult.When the caterpillar has gained enough weight from eating mulberry leaves it weaves a silk cocoon.The silk fibers are held together by a gum secreted by the caterpillar. These cocoons are then harvested, cleaned and died in assorted colors.
Orange Peel. A two to three day process is involved in peeling, shaping, dehydrating and dying the orange peel before it can be used in the design of an accessory. Beyond its beauty and durability the dried orange peel also retains its wonderful aroma.
Ground Coffee Beads. Mery, one of our partner designers, collects the leftover ground coffee of the day from various Colombian coffee shops in and transforms it into beautiful, richly textured jewelry beads. She first lays these to dry for about a day and later molds and shapes them individually to achieve different shapes, textures and tones. This is a wonderful way to recycle something that otherwise would be discarded and reinvent it into something pleasing and kind to our planet.
