Haiti Update- March Heavily armed gangs, gunfire exchanges, attacks on international and local airports and neighborhoods, massive prison outbreaks, citizens displaced by the thousands…. Seems like a plot of a bad dream, a horrible nightmare.
Read moreHow Do Birds Stay Safe in Storms - How Can You Help ThemI’m sitting here working on my desk which sits right in front of a window. So naturally, I constantly catch myself looking out the window and today, I see a storm coming in. The sky is gray, t
Read moreHaiti Update #2After our last two blogs about Haiti (Blog 1 – Blog 2) we have not posted an update as the situation has not only not improved, but has actually worsened significantly. It is hard to put into words the horrific atrocities that
Read moreLa Loteria Mexicana You might recognize some of the pictures, you may have heard of it, or you may have even played the game… and it’s no surprise as Mexican Loteria is a staple in many homes. Personally, I grew up playing this game. When the co
Read moreTravel Tips: Antigua, GuatemalaSeptember 11, 2017Guatemala: a land known for its blend of cultural heritage, unique ecosystems, diverse landscapes, great food, colorful textiles, and kind people. It is no wonder that year after year over half a milll
Read moreDragonflies - The Ultimate PredatorA pair of large, multifaceted, compound eyes, two pairs or strong and transparent wings, strong spiny legs, an elongated body…. What creature comes to mind? If you guessed (or just read the title) dragonfly, you
Read moreNational Gardening Exercise DayHave you ever noticed that after a day of gardening with weeding, digging, spading, planting, pruning, mowing, and raking… you may feel like you have had a full body workout? Well, that’s because you have! Gardening
Read moreHaitian Iron at a Celtic Fest(October 2017) Late last month, Gigi and Casey ran the It’s Cactus booth at the Celtic Festival in Bethlehem, PA. Though they have done countless shows together in the past, this one was special. For one thing, it
Read moreTown Musicians of Bremen by the Grimm BrothersThe Brothers Grimm (not to be confused with Matt Damon and Heath Ledger) were German academics and authors who together collected and published folklore. They may need little to no introduction as they
Read moreGifts for the CollectorCollectors are always fun to shop for. It’s like baking a cake for someone with a sweet tooth. You know it might not be for everyone, but they are going to love it. People collect so many different things, and for reasons a
Read moreHanging Your Haitian Metal Art Sculpture in 2 Quick StepsIt has become apparent that I have put the cart before the horse with regard to decorating with Haitian metal. I have posted numerous blogs in which I have offered lots and lots of ideas for WH
Read moreUpdate on HaitiAfter our last blog on Haiti (if you have not read it, you can read it here) we have been receiving messages asking for an update on our artists, about regular items that we don’t have in stock, or even interest in custom work. I’ve
Read moreHow Much Money Goes Back to the Artists? If we’ve heard that question once, we’ve heard it a thousand times. And it’s a good one. The quick response is, “None goes back, because we pay 100 percent up front. They get paid first.” But that isn’t reall
Read moreNational Love Your Pet DayIt’s not hard to believe that most households in the United States have at least one pet. Whether it’s a cat, dog, bird, reptile, fish, or rat, we sure love our pets. According to some polls, 9/10 Americans consider their
Read moreHandmade Belts From Guatemala Are A Hit(BLOG FROM MAY 2018)Though it shouldn’t be surprising, it is, a little bit. Our humble little handmade belts from Guatemala have been selling like hotcakes for months (few years) now. They are colorful, versat
Read moreAppreciate a Dragon DayDid you know there’s a day for Dragon appreciation? Yup, January 16th is Appreciate a Dragon Day. It was created by Donita K Paul to promote her novel “Dragon Spell” and has quickly gained traction from dragon enthusiasts. I
Read moreHandmade Vintage Bolivian Dolls If you’ve been scrolling through our website, you may have noticed our doll section. Now, as you can probably tell by just looking at them, these aren’t the kind dolls that you’d find at a big box store, they a
Read moreHaiti Appeals for Help Last year we may recall having heard of the 400 Mawazo gang who abducted 17 missionaries from a tourist bus. Eventually, after about 4 months in captivity, the missionaries were all freed. Although this was a good outco
Read moreAngelica Morales & Her Laud to Mexican & Purepecha Culture It is not uncommon for artists to take inspiration in every day life. A great example of this is pottery artist Angelica Morales. Morales is from Tzintzuntzan, Michoacan, Mexic
Read moreInternational Dog DayAugust 26th is one of my favorite days in the year, it’s not a birthday or an anniversary, but it is National Dog Day! There’s a reason dogs are man’s (and woman’s) best friend and it’s nice that they get some well-deserved re
Read moreBlog from October 2014:The Visual Feast: A Peek Into The Workshop Of Gerard Fortune(Gerard: 1925(?)-2019)Where did the time go? Already it’s been a month since our return from Haiti – and such a great trip it was! Of course, we spent a good deal of
Read moreCollaboration About twice a year, we get very excited to introduce new designs for our catalogue and website. It is part of a long process; taking the spark of an idea all the way to making it available on our website for our customers to purchase
Read moreThe Series: The Menu- CatalogueBy now you have probably read all about our two other main categories when it comes to Haitian metal art: one-of-a-kinds and limited editions. (If you haven’t, make sure to read all about them.) The last category we
Read moreMonarch Butterflies- A Beautiful Endagered Species A good sign that spring and summer have arrived are the arrival of our beautiful butterflies. As soon as the flowers start blooming, the butterflies start showing up. But in recent years you may h
Read moreSeries: The Menu- Limited EditionThis week, on the series: Limited Editions. Limited Editions are by no means something new. Art pieces in many forms are sold as limited editions, and in the art world, that refers to identical pieces that are pro
Read moreSeries: The MenuOne-of-a-KindWhen we talk about our Haitian metal art sculptures, we can categorize them into three categories: One-of-a-Kind, Limited Edition, and Catalog Items. These three "menu" items on our web catalogue represent some of the bes
Read moreTips For A Sustainable Beach TripAt It’s Cactus, sustainability and eco-friendliness has always been a big part of our mission. All of our Haitian metal art is made from recycled oil barrels, which are turned into art, instead of ending up in a la
Read moreOaxacan AlebrijesAlebrijes: You’ve probably heard about them. They have garnered much attention in recent years, and with a very popular Disney movie mentioning them, it seemed to really bring these creatures to the spotlight. But what are they? W
Read moreMaximón - The Venerated Trickster If you’ve ever perused, gazed, stumbled about different sections in our shop (if you haven’t, we recommend) there’s a chance you might have come across Maximón. Now, if you don’t know much about him
Read moreNational Nurses DayWhat would we do without nurses? Now, more than ever, we have seen firsthand how nurses play such an important and vital part to our healthcare system. I always think about them as the “moms” of healthcare. You know the ones who
Read moreReceiving Shipments From HaitiPeople that know It’s Cactus might know us from our trade shows with our colorful booth full of sculpture displays and fresh flowers. Or they might know us from our previous retail shop off of Highway 68 in Toro Park
Read moreMadam SaraSome of my favorite It's Cactus sculptures are those of market women. The sculptures are based on women we’ve seen in Haiti, women our artists know well. With her basket-laden head, steadily severe gaze, long, even gait, and impossibly
Read moreTraditional Guatemalan Wooden Masks Our Guatemalan masks are fun, vibrant, and handmade! In our shop, you can find masks of jaguars, lions, cats, dogs, birds, saints, devils, and so much more. These are traditional masks still used in Guatema
Read moreSunflowers & Ukraine It’s easy to see where sunflowers got their name. They’re big, beautiful, bright yellow like the sun, and will lighten up any garden or home. They have become popular, not just for their natural beauty, but for what they c
Read moreDouble TroubleWhen a sculpture is selected to be sold in the It's Cactus catalogue or on our website, we photograph it, give it an inventory number, and a name. This one, for what may be obvious reasons, we chose to name “Double Trouble.” The impish
Read moreTonola Jalisco, Barro Brunido & Moises RodriguezTonolá is a city and municipality within the Guadalajara Metropolitan are in the state of Jalisco in Mexico. Tonolá, which has been a ceramics center since the pre-Hispanic period, is best known for
Read moreBreadfruit & Haitian SculpturesTravel is such a mind-broadening experience. From the monumental to the minute, there are things to be learned and observations to be made. So, sitting on the patio of the hotel on the outskirts of Port-au-Prince, sip
Read moreIt's All In The DetailsWhat speaks to you when you look at art? Is it the medium? Is it the design? Is it shape or.... Take for example this one-of-a-kind piece. Jean Eugene has whimsically imagined this carriage/bus going to market. Unencumbered
Read moreNew Year & Independence Day in Haiti- Soup JoumouAround the world, many celebrated New Year on January 1st and Haiti was not the exception! However, in Haiti, it’s a lot more than just New Year, it is also their Independence Day! Yup, on January 1
Read moreReading T-ShirtsWell into our third day in Haiti, while I was supposed to be looking for new product for the winter wholesale and retail show season, I will admit, I got distracted. It’s not that the art wasn’t great or that I wasn’t “into it,” but
Read more2021 GIFT GUIDEWhatever the reason and whichever the season, gifts are always a good idea! They don’t have to be big or extravagant (although they very well can be) as long as they are thoughtful, genuine, and full of love. At the end of the day,
Read moreIt's The Season of GivingIt is the Season of Giving. What an opportunity to do good! Truly, it is a wonderful opportunity – one that anyone is loathe to squander. But how does one give effectively? Ah, that is the harder question.There are many ways
Read moreAs Seen on TVMy husband and I rarely agree on movies. I like dramas, historical films, documentaries, and the occasional rom-com. He on the other hand, favors sci-fi, thrillers, and action-adventure movies. You see the problem, I’m sure. Maybe you ev
Read moreHaitian Metal Art So you want more metal art from Haiti?www.itscactus.comYou will find our recycled metal sculptures along with fabulous folk art from Guatemala, Ecuador, Bolivia, Peru, Mexico, and beyond! Our website gives you the greatest select
Read moreBusting Fair Trade MythsIt’s Cactus has been a proud Fair Trade Federation . The Fair Trade Federation requires that participating businesses conform to strict guidelines and verification requires a huge amount of effort annually, including a mountai
Read moreShow Support to Small Business & Fair TradeSmall businesses are important, they’re what keep the country moving. Fair trade is important because it helps businesses source products that are ethically and sustainably produced while giving cons
Read moreMeet Casey - Founder of It's Cactus Disclaimer: As much as this is an introduction to Casey, a little bio if I may say, it is (and you will clearly see) also an appreciation post. I mean, why not, it's National Boss Day! Casey is a name you
Read moreLost In TranslationIt is shameful to me that, with the multitude of opportunities I have had throughout my life to change the fact, I am monolingual. Sad but true. English is the onl
Read moreBeach & Coastal Home DecorOne of the most peaceful places you can go is the beach. Now, I know, I may be biased living on the California coast, but it’s not just me! According to some studies, people associate aquatic hues, the ocean, and sea life
Read moreMermaidsMermaids: Mythical creatures that live in the sea, most commonly depicted having a head and body of a human (mainly woman) with a beautiful fish tail below the waist. That is the definition of a mermaid, but it’s almost unnecessary to ment
Read morePeace & Doves Peace, by definition, is freedom from disturbance; tranquility. Above all other goals in life, peace seems to be the ultimate goal. Peace within family, within your neighborhood, city, country, and ultimately the world! Ther
Read moreDoctors Without BordersThe magnitude 7.2 earthquake that struck the southern region of Haiti on Saturday, August 14th has wreaked havoc in Haiti. As of August 22nd, USA Today is reporting that the death toll has risen to 2,207 with more than
Read moreHelping Haiti NOWRecently we wrote a blog about Haiti and its struggles. One thing we mentioned is that Haiti had still not rebuilt since its last earthquake of 2010; however, now, Haiti has been hit with another massive 7.2 earthquake and it has
Read moreDía de los Muertos Origins When many of us think about Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) we think skeletons, altars, food, colorful decor, mariachi, and Hispanic culture. Thanks to the Disney movie "Coco", more and more people have become f
Read moreMake a Difference While Showing School SpiritSchool spirit: It’s a phrase we hear a lot, but what is it really? It’s the sense of pride, identity, and community that students, teachers, administrators, staff, and parents share. It is more than ju
Read moreBarro Betus- Ortega & Medrano Families (Gerardo Ortega) &nbs
Read moreHaiti & Us Haiti is a beautiful island with incredible beaches, breathtaking crystal blue waters, gorgeous mountains, and delicious food! Haiti is also a country with a history of freedom as it was the world's first independent black-led rep
Read moreThe History of Mexican TalaveraMexico is known for its rich history, rich culture, and beautiful art! Handmade pottery, ceramics, and textiles have become trademarks of the Mexican folk art, but one of the most sought after is the Talavera. This b
Read moreMichoacan, Purepechans, & OcumichoMichoacan is a state on the west coast of Mexico, with part of it bordering the Pacific Ocean. Unlike a lot of parts of Mexico that have changed over time to bring in more tourism, Michoacan has maintained a l
Read moreWorry Dolls- A Gift From GuatemalaWorry dolls are small, handcrafted dolls made in the highlands of Guatemala. In Guatemala they are known as ‘muñeca quitapena’ (doll who takes away worries). Pieces of wood are bound together or twisted tog
Read moreTree of Life MeaningIf there is one thing we like more than a beautiful, well-made sculpture, is a beautiful, well-made sculpture full of meaning. The Tree of Life is exactly that. Because of this, it has garnished so much popularity and is a tim
Read moreThe Process of Making Haitian Metal ArtDuring our trip to Haiti in October 2015, we brought along our favorite filmmaker, Mary Ragsdale, to capture “our Haiti” on video and enable us to share the experience with you. After long hours of shooting
Read moreKick Your Garden Up A Notch With Haitian Metal Garden ArtIf the last year has showed us one thing is that home has to be a place we enjoy being at. At the end of the day, whether we are in quarantine lockdown or back to some sort of normalcy, home
Read moreTap Tap Bus Haiti's Most Distinguishable TransportationThe bright, wildly painted tap-tap buses that fill the roads of Port-au-Prince are a sure bet to be in any photographic record of a trip to Haiti. They are the basic mode of transportation for
Read moreAguilar FamilyThe Aguilar family of Ocotlan de Morelos, Mexico is renowned nationally and internationally for their imaginative and innovative ceramic figures. These beautiful, handcrafted pieces are a celebration of indigenous culture depicting ever
Read moreVintage Andean TreasuresI was talking on the phone with Casey. She was very excited about a few cartons she had opened, containing vintage textiles from Bolivia and Peru. “I bought these for the shop 20-25 years ago. When we decided to close the s
Read moreSometimes, when I am helping customers shop our metal sculptures, they comment on how they like the movement of this piece or that. Being a “word person” I always think that sounds funny. In the literal sense it defies logic, yet I know that the
Read moreRodrigo Canil, a humble Father, son and a well-known wood sculpture from Chichicastenango, Guatemala. Rodrigo has six brothers 2 sisters and a 3 year old son. He has a degree in accounting, but is currently focusing on his wood carving profession.&nb
Read moreWhat speaks to you when you look at art? Is it the medium? Is it the design? Is it shape or color or pattern? All of those elements play their part, to be sure. Still, my guess is that when you look at a piece of art, whether it’s a 17th ce
Read moreHave you seen our new Guatemalan beaded accessories? On a recent buying trip to Guatemala, Casey came across some tremendously talented bead artists near the shores of Lake Atitlan, in the central highlands of the country. Women there are undert
Read moreAs the founder of It's Cactus it is important that you are delighted with your purchase. It is also important to the artist who made your sculpture, as it directly impacts his ability to prosper. The more reviews the larger his next order will be, I
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