The Northwest Flower and Garden Festival is just around the corner so we are packing our bags and trailer with beautiful metal art and we are getting ready to head out to the Seattle Convention Center this February 19-23, 2025. Although there is a lot of work and preparation that comes into joining a show almost 1000 miles away, we are so excited to be back after a long hiatus since 2018!!!!

So why are we so excited about this show? Well, it’s only the largest flower and garden show in Seattle with over 20 display gardens, more than 115 sessions and seminars, and a wonderful marketplace. There is absolutely something for everyone, from kids to adults, newbie gardeners to seasoned experts. From Blossoms & Bubbles a hands-on design workshop with champagne to Traveler's tea where you can drink some tea and enjoy some treats while exploring different pars of the world. This is the perfect place to gather ideas and inspiration for a beautiful garden space. Over the years we have made so many wonderful friends, from fellow vendors to customers who are now like family. We can't wait to meet new friends so please make sure to stop by our booth, say hello, and check out our wide selection of metal art in person, see the detail, feel the texture, and fall in love with what handmade Haitian art truly is.

We are also giving away 10 complimentary e-tickets to a few customers. If you are interested in attending this show for FREE, make sure to check our instagram @itscactus_fairtrade_ .

Every so many days we get notifications of “on this day, this many years ago” and when clicking on them, we get taken back to a specific moment in time, some big moments, some small. They can be every day things, the mundane, pictures of pets, food, screenshots, or, in my case, It’s Cactus products. But every so often, it tends to be bigger things: memories of a trip from years ago, friends/family that are no longer with us, our grown kids as babies. Some of these memories stop us in our tracks, bring up emotions that only a memory would, sometimes these memories show up as a smile on our face, sometimes tears down our cheeks.

About two weeks ago, we had one of those notifications on Facebook, a memory from November 20^th, 2014, and boy was it a throwback filled with nostalgia. Two of our beloved artist partners and friends, Cineus and Wiseton, came on a trip to California and hung out with us for a couple weeks. During their time here, they went to the beach, the aquarium, and wasted no time promoting their Haitian metal art. They participated in various markets around Monterey, went to Georgie’s school to have Girl Scouts introduce them and talk about Haitian metal art. Not only did the people there get the unique opportunity to meet the artists and buy art directly from them, but also got the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see a demonstration of how Haitian metal art is created from the artists themselves. It was truly an incredible time. Thanks to all the support they received, they were able to end their trip with over $3500 apiece. Taking into consideration that in Haiti the average worker was making $2 a day during that time, that was really a small fortune which left them, not only with a great experience, but also with means to improve their lives, and those of their families and communities. We were so happy and honored to have been part of that.

Seeing those pictures and their smiling faces took us down a rabbit hole of thoughts. By no means was their life easy and Haiti was already a struggling country having a hard time coming out of the Earthquake in 2010, but there was opportunity. They were going back to their communities with hope, hope that if they worked hard, they could succeed. Fast-forward 10 years later, and it saddens me to see how their situation has deteriorated. At this moment in time, their lives have been upended by the situation in Haiti and if you have read our recent blogs or kept up with the news in Haiti, you’ll read all about how food scarcity, violence, and corruption have affected the entire population, our artists included. Our artists have been forced to flee from their homes and workshops some even their country, they have been extorted for “protection”, banks have withheld funds for extended periods of time, airports have closed preventing their art and means of living to leave, and, even worse, some have been hurt and some even killed. In the last 20 years that we’ve worked with artists in Haiti, never has the situation been this tragic. Our only hope is that 10 years from now, we might get a notification, “on this day, 10 years ago” and at that time we will just be grateful that the situation took a drastic turn for the better, that it has improved and that we are able to see their smiling, hopeful faces once again.  

By now, you probably already heard about the three United States commercial passenger planes that were hit by gang gunfire in Haiti causing Haiti’s main international airport to shut down for the second time this year and when it will reopen remains uncertain. No flights, commercial or passenger, means further isolation to an already struggling country. As of this week, it is estimated that an 85% of Port-Au-Prince is now controlled by gangs. Local news photographer Jean Feguens Regala has reported that armed bandits have invaded new neighborhoods, taking over the main streets, forcing thousands of civilians to flee without warning. His pictures depict families, parents with infants, fleeing through chaos, burning, gunfire taking only what they are able to carry with them. Although police have been deployed to try to stop the advance of the bandits, their presence has continued to be insufficient.

This horrible situation affects our Haitian artist partners in more than one way as their world continues to be turned upside down. They are amongst the many who are having to flee their homes, their workshops, their means of livelihood. They have been separated from their families, living in shelters, and a few have been forced to pay exorbitant fees to flee their country, continuing to risk their lives, in hopes of a better life. Some have tragically lost their neighbors, friends, and family members to violence. Some of our artists have tragically been killed, leaving their families behind with little to no means to provide for themselves. Even with all of this, our artists that remain in Haiti continue having a fighting spirit and continue to find ways to work even with all the instability and turmoil that surrounds them.

At this point, we continue to focus on supporting our artists and friends. A closed airport means the artists are not able to get their art out of the country and, therefore, we are not able to receive their art. However, we have and will continue placing small sporadic orders to continue providing work to our artists until we are able to go back into our “normal” orders when the airport reopens. For this reason, we thank all of our beloved customers, retail and wholesale, who continue supporting It’s Cactus and our artists through these trying times. We may be low or out of stock of some of your winter favorites, but make sure to check out our shop and other items in stock, knowing that every purchase and every order is making a direct difference in our artists lives. We will continue working hard on stocking daily items, many of which are one-of-a-kind, which would make great gifts for family and friends all while supporting our Haitian artists partners and friends. 

You purchased one of our beautiful Haitian metal art pieces, the package arrives, you unbox it, do a happy dance with your new art piece, walk over to where it will hang and then.... how do I hang it? No hook? No hole?... No problem! With these easy steps, you'll be showcasing your new art piece in no time!

“My boss, I told you the gangster take my house, so I need more order just for I will rent the house ok thank you for your consideration.”

Receiving messages like this is not an uncommon occurrence for me, and it is not just from one artist, but many of our artists going through this and other very similar situations. Situations in which they are separated from their families, forced to leave their homes, and trying to find ways to continue to support themselves and their families while simply striving to survive in their country filled with violence, hunger, and economic collapse. Every time we receive one of these messages, it breaks our hearts a little more. Our mission has always been to help support these artists, to help fight poverty through art. For this reason, when we received this message from Bernard Louis, we knew the first thing we needed to do was shine the spotlight on such a great artist and his story. But we didn’t want to tell his story for him, so we asked him to let us know a little bit about himself, about what he would want our customers, his supporters to know about him, and this is what he had to say.

“I am Bernard Louis

I was born in CROIX-DES-BOUQUETS, Haiti on 9th of January 1984. I grew up at Noailles the place where the metal sculpture, made of recycled oil steel drum, was born. I am father of 3 children ( 2 sons and one girl). Because of the predicament that takes place in Haiti, my family and I living in separate place. My parents died. I began to learn metal sculpture at the age of 10 years old. My inspiration comes from Jose Delpé, who was a renowned metal sculpture artist. He is no longer with us.

Jose Delpé was my metal sculpture mentor.

After spending a long time learning all the characteristics that can help achieve a work. I began to produce work of my own based on abstractivity. This art, that is: metal sculpture is a source of blessings for me, because through it I happen to take care of my family I have already taken part in many national art fairs but I haven't participated in international art festivals yet. I would like to enjoy this opportunity.”

It’s interesting to note that when asked to say a little about himself, his family comes first followed by his art. Very little is said about the predicament that is taking place in Haiti. Instead, he focuses on community members who have helped him, fellow artists and his dreams for his business. Dreams and aspirations of caring for his family and participating in art festivals showcasing his evolving skilled craft. As always, regardless of their heartbreaking situation, his quote the resiliency Haitians are known for, their desire to work hard, and just dream about a better tomorrow. Help us help Bernard Louis continue on his dream. 

Traditional handwoven Guatemalan blouses handcrafted and worn by indigenous women, known as huipils, have long been a staple in our shop. Their beautiful, colorful, bold designs make them true pieces of art and it is no wonder they are such a popular item. Our huipils are vintage, traditional and authentic, each as unique as their maker. They tell their own story, their own piece of history. So again, no surprise they are one of our most sold items being used as blouses like they have been used traditionally and even as home decor.

However, they have been known to be returned from time to time. Why is that? Well, it has nothing to do with the craft, the design, the material, or the quality. All of our customers agree that those are superb. It has to do with the fitting. You see, traditional huipils were made for Mayan women; therefore, for many non-Mayan women the head openings tend to be smaller than what they are accustomed to. When trying to put it on, the head opening is too small, and therefore returned, due to it being "unwearable". 

Or is it? Well, truth is that there are options, and with some slight alterations, you are able to enjoy these beautiful, wearable pieces of art. My first suggestion is, taking it to a seamstress. A good seamstress would have the knowledge and expertise to be able to open it up with minimal damage to the huipil and the weaving. The work and the stress are out of your hands! However, if you have some sewing experience, it is also something you’d be able to easily do at home. The first time I’d do, is cut into the neckline to be able to get the blouse over the head. You can snip vertically down the front or back, or my preferred method, snip along the shoulder line to minimize the visibility. From there you are able to add some material, weave, or add a button or zipper closure! And just like that, you and I are able to fit our heads into this huipils. Easy as one, two, three!

Magdalena Carmen Frida Kahlo y Calderon, more famously known as Frida Kahlo, needs little to no introduction as she has one of Mexico’s most recognizable faces largely in part for being one of Mexico’s most famous artists known for her brilliantly colored self-portraits. Although she died at the young age of 47 years old, she left a big impact in the world by exploring deeply personal and emotional issues through her art, which helped usher a new wave of artists who used art to explore their own experiences.

Kahlo was born July 6^th, 1997 in Coyoacán, a city near Mexico City. Kahlo lived in a now famous bright blue house called “La Casa Azul” with her parents and sisters. She was very close to her father, a talented professional photographer, and growing up she frequently visited and assisted him in his studio. Because of this, she acquired a sharp eye for detail. However, life was not easy for Kahlo, especially health wise. At the age of 6, she became ill with polio and, as a result, her leg was damaged permanently. Her many health hardships did not end there. At the age of 18, she was in a bus accident, from which she had to undergo more than 30 medical operations in her lifetime. It was a slow recovery for Kahlo, and during that time, she taught her self how to paint.

This and much more of her life story is well documented, so instead we share a few interesting facts about Kahlo:

1. Although Kahlo was born July 6, 1907, Kahlo often told people she was born in 1910 in order to be directly associated it with the Mexican Revolution which began that year.

2. Kahlo’s face, along with her husband (Diego Rivera), is on the Mexican 500 peso.

3. Although Kahlo was moderately successful during her lifetime, for most of her life, she was known as Diego Rivera’s wife; however, after death, she became famous. Now her name is known worldwide and Rivera is mainly known as Frida Kahlo’s husband.

4. Although Kahlo’s arts draw inspiration and celebrate her Mexican culture and heritage, Kahlo was not fully Mexican. Her dad was born in Germany with Jewish and Hungarian Roots. Her Mexican blood came from her mother who was indigenous Mexican with a Spanish background.

5. Kahlo was a political activist. She joined the Mexican Communist Party in 1928, and she had a desire to empower Mexican women and give them a stronger voice. Many of her paintings also conveyed her political messages and she often dressed in men’s clothing as a sign of protest against gender norms.

How many of these interesting facts did you know? One, two? You a fan of Frida Kahlo and her impact on art and feminism? Do you just like her art? Well, we have good news for you! Although few, we still have some Frida Kahlo inspired art in our shop. Grab it before it’s gone!

This beautiful Wayuu bag comes all the way from La Guajira, Columbia, the easternmost peninsula in Latin America. . It is made by women of the Wayuu tribe, an indigenous group of Columbia and Venezuela. These colorful handmade mochilas require nearly 25 days of weaving. The Wayuu women prove their skill and creativity by using ancient techniques, while the men weave the shoulder strap. The Wayuu mochilas are actually Colombia's #1 handicraft export which makes these bags an integral part of the Wayuu culture playing a vital role in their local economy.

According to the legend, the Wayuu learned to weave thanks to a mythical spider called "Wale'Kerü”. The spider would create magical pieces using thread from her mouth. A girl then approached the spider and admired the way she wove. Flattered, the spider teaches the girl the art of weaving. The legend says that the girl spent several moons weaving and learning from the spider. When she was finally ready, the spider disappeared and she shared her new found knowledge with the women of the community. 

So why write a small blog about this bag if we only have one left? Well, because it is just that special! 

First day of summer is right around the corner! Actually, a lot closer, it’s this Thursday (June 20^th, 2024), and it begins with the summer solstice! So, what is the June/Summer solstice? Well, in the Northern Hemisphere the solstice occurs when the Sun travels along its northernmost path in the sky. It is when Earth arrives at the point in its orbit where the North Pole is at its maximum tilt toward the Sun. What are the results? The longest day and the shortest night of the calendar year, while receiving sunlight at the most direct angle. As this happens in the Northern Hemisphere, the opposite happens in the Southern Hemisphere. As we are having our “longest day” the Southern Hemisphere has the Sun at its lowest point in the sky, marking the start of winter!

So where does the term “solstice” come from? Well, the term “solstice” comes from the Latin words “sol” and “sistere” meaning “sun” and “to stand still” respectively. If you watch the sun closely (and by that we mean keep track of it not stare at it directly) you’ll know that the Sun doesn’t rise and set at the exact locations each day. It rising and setting positions move as the Earth travels around the sun. The June solstice is special because as the sun reaches the northernmost point in the sky, the Sun’s path has a “stand still” it does not change for a brief period of time. So now it makes sense, “Solstice” “Sun To Stand Still”.

Summer solstice makes many people very excited; it is the first day of summer, the longest day, the days are warm and the sun shines bright. It’s no surprise many people celebrate the Solstice. For example, in Sweden, they celebrate the beginning of summer by eating the first strawberries of the season, others have a solstice evening bonfire, and others plunge into the ocean at midnight to bring in good luck. But how do we think you should celebrate it? Well, we may be biased but we think a good idea would be to purchase a handmade sun from It's Cactus. From metal art and paper mache, to clay charms and beaded keychains, we have them all in stock for you and just in time to order for Summer Solstice! All while supporting Fair Trade and our artists.  

Ok. I say a name, and you tell me the first thing that comes to mind…

Ready… Mark Twain!

What came to mind? A frog jumping competition? No? Well after this blog, that just might be what comes to mind!

A little-known fact about Samuel Langhorne Clemens (AKA Mark Twain) is that before being considered one of the greatest American writers of all time, and before his best remembered work “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” and “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn”, his first big break came with the publication of a short story named “Jim Smiley and His Jumping Frog”. This short story gained popularity quickly launching his career nationally and internationally. Overnight, this struggling writer turned into a beloved sensation.

This story sets itself in Angels Camp, California. It’s about a man named Jim Smiley who loves to gamble. “He was the curiosest man about always betting on any thing that tuned up you ever see, if he could get any body to bet on the other side; and if he couldn’t, he’d change sides”. Jim Smiley gambles everything from horse races to dog fights and when he catches a frog, which he names Dan’l Webster, he sees another betting opportunity. He spends three months training it to jump, and when a stranger visits the camp, he bets him $40 that it could out-jump any other frog in all of Calaveras County. You’ll have to read the rest of the short story to see what happens.

Anyways, why a blog about this? Well, as it just turns out, we are nearing May 13^th, which, as you may not be aware of, is National Frog Jumping Day and in Calavera’s County California, this is a big deal! On the 3^rd weekend in May each year, the Calaveras County Fair and the Jumping Frog Jubilee (yes that’s real) commemorates the story that launched Sam Clemens’ career. For almost 100 years, folks have been jumping frogs competitively. Now the competition is simple(ish): the contestants (jockeys) place a frog on a pad. The jockey has to get the frog to jump or hop three times in any direction. Wherever the frog lands on that third jump is measured back to the center of the pad. The frog who jumps the furthest wins. As I said, simple! But not really. Try getting a frog to jump is not always easy! The truth, however, is undisputed: Rosie the Ribiter and her Jockey Lee Giudici have held the record sine 1986 with a whooping 21ft 5 ¾ inch jump. Although no one has beat the record since then, each year, the winner gets its plaque added to Angel’s Camp Frog Hop of Fame.

So if you want to check it out, make sure to drive out to Calavera’s County May 16-19 to check out the competition and the Frog Hop of Fame for yourself. But you can also commemorate and give your own nod to Mark Twain by adding a frog to your garden. It will be your little own Dan’l Webster if you may, your own competing jumping frog bringing smiles to you and your guests. 

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.

But in Haiti, for its citizens and for our artists, it’s not a bad dream and it’s not a nightmare they will just wake up from, it’s their daily life, and has been for a long time. As we have mentioned in previous blogs, for years, Croix des Bouquets has been the center of violent gang crisis. The 400 Mawazo gang has long terrorized this beautiful city, long known to be a major center of artistic culture. They have murdered people including metal sculptor Anderson Belony, threatened many with violence and forced many citizens including our artists to pay for “safety”. Many believed that with the arrest and extradition of the 400 Mawazoo gang leader, the situation would improve; however, that couldn’t be further from the truth. The gang crisis has now spread out of Croix des Bouquets and into the rest of Haiti.

Apart from what we’ve mentioned in previous blogs, in just the first half of this month, all these things mentioned above and more have been happening in Haiti. All devastating, heartbreaking, and, worst of all, true. Gang leaders now control 80% of the capital (Port-au-Prince). Early this month, police stations were attacked in order to distract authorities before storming two prisons, one in Port-au-Prince and another in Croix des Bouquets. This caused many police to be killed and the prison break of nearly 4,000 inmates including murderers, kidnappers, and gang leaders. Heavily armed gangs tried to seize control of Haiti’s international airport, which means leaving the city really isn’t an option, as the airport, which is said to be under siege by gangs, has been forced to close.

Even after a 72-hour state of emergency, which has now been extended, the situation continues to worsen. Just this weekend, gangs attacked two upscale neighborhoods in the capital leaving at least a dozen people dead on the streets, burning some of the bodies. According to the Associated Press, on man cried, “Abuse! This is abuse!”, as he stood near one of the victims. And it is abuse. The gangs continue cutting off supply to basic human needs such as food, water and fuel. People are being killed, innocent citizens are being terrorized, and 1.4 million Haitians are in the verge of famine. More than 4 million require food aid, sometimes eating only once a day or nothing at all. UNICEF announced on Saturday that one of its containers containing “essential items for maternal, neonatal, and child survival, including resuscitators and related equipment” were looted.

So where does this leave Haiti’s residents? Displaced. According to different sources, the violence has displaced anywhere between 200,000-300,000 Haitians due to homes being torched and citizens being raped, abused and killed. Schools and businesses are closed, the people are scared and the streets are empty. Help is not getting to them, leaving many humanitarians voicing the same concerns, “We don’t have adequate capacity to deal with the complexity of the need increasing”.

And our business partners, artists, and friends living in Haiti? They are not exempt; living in Croix des Bouquets, they have been in the center of this for years. They too have been displaced from their homes, having to flee, seeking shelter in empty streets and abandoned buildings. Some of them have found some refuge living in overcrowded shelters where people have to compete for a place to sleep, hope the food doesn’t run out as they wait in line for their turn, and share holes in the ground for toilets. They are having to leave the place they call home, the workshops where they work to provide for their families… everything they have worked for being left behind, looted, or destroyed.

Reaching out to them one said, “Hi my Chief, I am very well thank you… except the things are really difficult in Croix des bouquets… I had to go living in _____.” (For their safety we will not disclose.) When asking another one if he could sign his art he mentioned, “good evening big boss, the reason why the pieces are not signed is simple, there were guys with guns shooting me, I also got up and ran, so now I’m not in the area where I was anymore, it’s another place I’m looking for to be able to work my boss.”

Our artists are not giving up. At a time where many would have thrown the towel, our artists are continuing to do all they can to continue working, continue providing for their families, while trying to stay as safe as possible. At a time where food and shelter is scarce, they continue asking for orders to work, working and sending them in as quick as possible, and being thankful. We will continue supporting them as best as we can, providing them work which is all thanks to your continued support. 

If you have time, please also take a look at Joseph Odelyn's work, he is a freelance photojournalist based in Haiti who has been tirelessly documenting the situation in Haiti. Some of the images are graphic. 

https://newsroom.ap.org/editorial-photos-videos/se...

www.instagram.com/josephodelyn_photo

For more information: Look Into the Following Sources:

https://apnews.com/article/haiti-gangs-violence-guatemala-looting-e253c80da9e58fc9f2c809aed27fbe9a

https://apnews.com/article/haiti-killed-gangs-laboule-thomassin-c1f4d1b367b15253cbd28ae9be886440

https://apnews.com/article/haiti-violence-us-citizen-evacuation-charter-flights-756ac4fdc85d548b302c9c1bacb290bb

https://apnews.com/article/haiti-gangs-cherizier-barbecue-international-force-359f7b52a821591df9ddc55642fbeb72

https://apnews.com/article/haiti-violence-prison-break-curfew-105ca137aa337b9e6681cf87add9a5c1

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-68462851

https://news.sky.com/story/haiti-gang-violence-12-bodies-seen-in-streets-as-gangs-attack-upmarket-areas-of-capital-port-au-prince-13097711

https://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/world/americas/hait/article286680980.html

https://www.cnn.com/2024/03/18/world/haiti-crisis-militias-battle-intl-latam/index.html

I’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, the clouds are heavy, there is light rain, and at a distance, a huge, loud rumble and a flash of light in the sky. A thunderstorm is approaching. I personally love it, my husband and cat... not so much. A few minutes pass and the thunder becomes louder and as I stare out to see if I can catch any glimpse of lightning, I see these three cute little birds flying away… and then I wonder, what do birds do in a thunderstorm? How do they stay safe? They tell us to stay away from trees, but don’t they seek shelter in trees?

So, what do I do? Naturally, I open a new page on my search engine go to google.com and type in “how do birds stay safe in thunderstorms and lightning”. The very first result, “How Birds Survive Devastating Storms – and How You Can Help Them”. Perfect! The first part, not so reassuring, and I quote, “stormy conditions wreak havoc on bird habitats, and there are many different ways storms cause problems for birds.” Not really what I wanted to read, but I continue. First of all, it states the issues that can happen, storms can knock down nests, destroy food crops, kill prey, destroy trees, change shorelines, flood valleys, impact bird’s migration by forcing early or late travel/alternative routes, and even directly killing birds. This isn’t fun… I really just wanted something to reassure me that the birds were mostly fine.

I scroll down a little more and I come up to what I actually wanted to find “How Birds Survive Harsh Storms”. Now this is the part that got really interesting. Despite all the negative effects a storm can have on birds, they do manage to survive. Here are some of my favorite ways.

They Sense the Storm: You know how they say the early bird gets the worm? Well in this case, the early bird survives the storm. Birds are created in a way that with their keen senses, they are aware of even the tiniest environmental changes. They don’t need the local weatherman to let them know what’s coming, they sense shifts in temperature, wind speed/direction, barometric pressure. When the shifts let them know a storm is coming, they take action, by leaving the area, seeking shelter, eating more, etc, and therefore stay safe.

They Eat Up: Before a storm, a bird knows it needs to fuel up. Fueling helps them have the energy to fly larger distances to leave the area or stay warm as the temperatures drop. So if you see birds feeding frantically in the hours before a storm hits, it's that they are fueling for the storm.

They Hang On: Have you ever seen a bird just hanging on to a branch or wire like its life depends on it? Well, it’s life may depend on it, but holding on is actually easy for them. Their natural resting position is to have their talons closed and locked. Their feet will only release if the bird uses its muscles. So even these harsh strong stormy winds, have nothing on a bird’s natural powerful grip.

They Get Out: As my three little bird friends that took me down this rabbit hole, some bird species will leave the area if poor weather approaches. This I’m familiar with. I live in Pennsylvania, and come February and our cold weather, many friends leave the area to sunny Florida, I guess it’s something they learned from the birds. Jokes aside, even a few miles of distance can make a huge difference in how severe a storm can be, and with their lovely wings they fly to safety.

Phew! This is great! Birds were created in a way that they are able to survive these conditions… nice! However, with all the environmental changes, a little help from us would never hurt! So, what can we do to help birds survive storms? Here are two things: 

One: Have a backyard bird feeder with healthy, nutritious food. The stronger and healthier the birds are, the stronger and more resilient they will be to the negative impacts of weather. (Plus, you get to do some great bird watching as well!)

Two: Create sturdy shelter by providing good bird houses and roost boxes that protect against rain, winds, and snow.

Not hard at all! With a little bit of effort, we can help out the birds, and also make our home the birds favorite stop! And while we are at it, we can make our yard even more bird friendly, by adding handcrafted, eco-friendly, metal bird sculptures. Not only are these metal birds safe in any weather conditions, but with each purchase, you are also helping our Haitian artist partners. The more art that is purchased, the more orders we are able to place with our artists. Thanks to all your purchases, our Haitian artists are able to put food on their table, a shelter over their heads, send their kids to school, and much more. As always, all our metal art is Fair Trade Certified and you can rest assured that your purchase is directly helping the artist.  

Well, the worst of our thunder storm passed and just like that, the birds are back. I will continue to work and take little breaks to watch them fly and sing… and on my free time, I’ll start looking at bird feeders and nutritious bird food!

After 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 our business partners, and friends, whom we've worked with over the last 20 plus years, their families, their friends, their community and their home are going through. It is hard to write about how this is directly affecting our artists, what we are hearing directly from them, while trying to maintain their anonymity for their own safety. For this reason, it has taken longer to write another update, but we have also seen the importance in speaking out about what is going on with our dear friends.

On November 28^th, 2023, The Guardian wrote an article titled “Haiti’s gang wars having ‘cataclysmic’ impact on access to food staples.” In it, it highlighted how Haiti’s brutal gang wars have now spread from the capital to key farming heartlands. This has caused the displacement of 22,000 Haitians amid murders, looting, kidnappings, and widespread sexual violence. These gangs are armed with semi-automatic rifles and pistols, and have burned houses, attacked irrigation systems, stolen crops, stolen livestock, and demanded “taxes” for farmers to be able to access their own fields. As if this wasn’t enough, kidnappings and torture for ransom have also become frequent, gang rapes of women including young children has also increased. They have used the systemic employment of violence and intimidation to control the country by terrorizing them. Due to the displacement of many farmers, food staples have been hard to produce and have began creating a larger food shortage in an already impoverished country. According to the UN’s food agency, it estimates that nearly half the country is going hungry.

On the same day, the United Nations published an article titled “Haiti: Gangs move into rural areas as Turk says new force ‘must be deployed’”. This article focuses on the report published by UN human rights officer and the UN political mission in Haiti. It talked about the Bas-Artibonite district, about 100 kilometers from the capital). Between January 2022 and October 2023, it is estimated that at least 1694 people have been killed, injured or kidnapped in Bas-Artibonite. It mentioned the story of Darleine, a 22-year-old woman, who was dragged off a bus in March 2023 by gang members, held captive for more than 2 weeks. Two weeks in which she was repeatedly beat and raped. Unfortunately, as a result of this, a few weeks after she was released, she committed suicide. The thing about this, is that this is NOT an isolated case. Gangs have continued resorting to sexual violence against women and children, to murder, to terrorize “rival” villages. On Monday, December 25th, two little girls under the age of 10 along with 2 adults were killed in Haiti by armed men from the 400 Mawozo gang who carried out a deaddly attack on the outskirts of Port-au-Prince. This is on top of the 4 family members who were kidnapped. Just a week prior, at least 5 people were killed inlcuding a mother and child in the town of Ganthier. This past year alone (2023), 3960 people have been killed, 1432 injured and 2951 kidnapped in Haiti due to gang related violence…. Again, 2023 ALONE. Police are unable to stop them, and the people have continued to suffer the consequences.

As far as our artists, they are not immune to any of this. They have been victims of unwarranted violence, random attacks, loss of basic privacy. We just received a voice message from one of our partners, which we will not share to keep their annonimity, but in this message they said: 

"Sometimes it is hard to speak on the phone because bandits, the bandits think you are antennas, you see. Umm... whether you are talking to the police or whether you are talking to another gang to attack them, you see. Sometimes it is difficult speaking on the phone using the phone because there are some who just  kill people for no reason... they just find you with a phone, they just shoot you. Or they make you stand, they make you stand apart, and they ummm checking your phones if your conversations about them with people, you see, that's why when people are speaking out on the phone in Haiti they need to delete the messages. Yeah, if they are conserning bandits, you see. Yeah, because they do not allow that." 

Basic freedom of privacy, freedom to live is being robbed from them every single day. It is sad to think that two days ago, January 1st, 2024, Haiti celebrated its 220th year of independence, yet they are living this continous nightmare day in and day out. We hope for the day where our Haitian friends and their communities are able to safely go to work, go to school, and just live their lives. In the meantime, we continue to support them as best as we can by continuing to work with them, which we can only do thanks to your continued support. And to finish off our blog, we would like to share a message we just received from one of our artists: a message that shows the resilience, pride, and hope that Haitians are known for: 

"In the circumstances l take To thank god because he saves my Life during the battle of the year. But l think so the 2024 year Will be the year success parallele at the 2023 year. I hope To always have the health, the strength, more orders, so that l could have the money in order To help my Children, my friend, and anothers that have To need.l profit the occasion To wish you merry christmas and happy new year." 

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 cousins or friends would come over, we’d run around playing hide and go seek, tag, or, our favorite, Gallinita Ciega (Blind Hen) until we’d tire out or our parents made us come inside. Then our parents would sit us around the table, take out Loteria and beans, and the next round of fun would begin. Looking back, I feel like they knew exactly what they were doing, as we could sit there playing for hours, while they relatively relaxed.

When we played, everyone always had their favorite card, mine was La Chalupa. Something about a beautiful, traditionally dressed Mexican woman, rowing a small canoe-like boat (chalupa), filled with flowers and fruits, made me want to be her. Then there were cards that would get a giggle out of us all like El Borracho or La Sirena. We’d all take turns being El Cantor (the person who calls out the cards) and we’d play until someone had to go back home. Definitely a nostalgic part of my life.

So how does one play Loteria you may ask? Well, to put it simply, it’s a bingo style game. Similar to bingo, the players can choose their playing board (again everyone has their favorite). The playing board is a 4x4 grid for a total of 16 squares. Each playing card, will have a different mix of colorful, whimsical and traditional images of animals, characters, objects, plants, etc. Once every player has chosen their playing card, and agreed on the objective to win (complete a row, column, diagonal, all four corners, etc.) the game begins. El cantor will shuffle the deck of cards, and call out the images. Now, a big part of the fun of the game comes from the cantor. The cantor needs to put on a show, sometimes they use classic phrases to describe the cards, other times they make jokes. But their job is to keep the players entertained until someone wins. Once someone completes their table, they must shout “Loteria!” as a sign of their win.

Now, I know I talked about my childhood in this game, but this game can be enjoyed in a family setting and is also a crowd pleaser with adults. For those learning Spanish, it is also a great opportunity to practice different spanish words, idioms and phrases. It is definitely a multi-faceted game, and one that should be included in your game night rotation. But for those who love or know someone who loves this beloved game, we got some great ornaments for you!

September 11, 2017

Guatemala: 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 milllion tourists visit this wonderful country. If you are thinking of heading out there, we have some tips for you, and that is because Casey, founder of It's Cactus, is an expert Guatemalan traveler. Traveling to Guatemala is nothing new to Casey and her family. Casey and her mom, Gigi have been going on buying trips since the 1990’s, Casey and her husband, Brian got married there in 2001, and daughter Georgie took her first trip at the tender age of 3 months. I think you could call them seasoned! But every trip is an opportunity for discovery and this one in 2017 was no exception. In addition to buying handcrafted folk art items for the online shop, they attended the wedding of a friend, and set about building upon the Spanish language skills of now teen-aged Georgie and her cousin, Quinn. The discoveries came in the form of finding an outstanding driver/guide to Antigua named Carlos, and an equally outstanding language/cultural instructor, Ruth.

Carlos Mijangos is a enterprising Guatemalan man, proud of and passionate about his country. As he describes himself, he is 100% Chapin (Guatemalan). He speaks exceptional English, and his warm smile and self-assured whistle convey confidence to any traveler. Previous to starting his own company, he worked as a bi-lingual guide for a large company for several years, but with the encouragement of his father, struck out on his own at the age of 40. 

Carlos offers custom tours for individuals and groups in his large, comfortable van. When asked how many the van could hold, Casey replied, “Well it held me, my mother, the girls, and lots and LOTS of boxes of wood carvings and textiles. And we all fit!” Based in Antigua, Carlos provides transfers to and from the airport, tours around Antigua and vicinity, as well as excursions further afield. His knowledge base is as impressive as his fluency in English. Additionally, he is “as trustworthy as the day is long.” Every time Casey and her family make a trip out to Guatemala, they are sure to call Carlos. When people find a good tour guide, which is not easy, they want to keep them to themselves, but not Casey! She recommends him to anyone and everyone she knows is headed in that direction. If you are planning on visiting Guatemala, make sure to check out his website: http://guatemalanguide.com/ . And an additional tip: it would be wise to book well in advance. The word is out: This guy is good!

As for language instruction, Ruth Acabal Reyes has no match. With ten years of experience teaching Spanish to learners of every stripe, she has her methods down. Not only does she offer personalized instruction in Guatemala, she also offers lessons via Skype. While both methods are effective, says Casey, “You can’t beat learning Spanish on the street. Ruth came to the hotel every day and took the girls out to practice. She got them to learn the language by using it in real-life situations. Shopping, eating, asking directions – when you have to speak in another language, you find a way.” Ruth, too has her own website loaded with information. If you have the slightest interest in Spanish language acquisition, Ruth is just the instructor you need to get you on your way. So if you'd like the full immersive experience, make sure to check out her website as well  http://ruht.weebly.com/ . 

A 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 are correct! Dragonflies come in different shapes, sizes and colors. They are beautiful, graceful, fun to look at, and great for gardens! But do you know exactly why they are great for gardens? Well, in great part that’s because they significantly decrease the number of pesky insects in the garden, while posing no harm to people, pets, crops, landscape plants or houses. And do you know how they’re able to decrease the number of pesky pests? Well, a great part has to do with them being the most efficient predator in the animal kingdom!

Can you believe that? The MOST efficient. Coming in weighing less than an ounce, with six legs and four wings, and often with a brilliant iridescent color, dragonflies have THE HIGHEST success rate of any predator. For example, here are some other carnivores (yes dragonflies are carnivores) who are known to be great hunters:

Wolves, who are successful less than 20% of the time.

Leopards, whose hunts end in failure 6/7 times.

Bengal tigers whose prey result in a kill 1/20 hunts.

Not bad if you ask me, but how does this compare to dragonflies? According to Harvard University researchers, dragonflies capture prey in 90-97% of attempts. Holy Moley! That is quite a jump!

How do they manage you may ask? According to neuroscientist Anthony Leonardo, “The[ir&91; brain uses a highly optimized hunting strategy that allows the dragonfly to predict where the prey is going and the appropriate muscle commands to intercept it.” That’s high-tech sounding stuff! How did they get so good? Well, dragonflies are one of the most ancient flying insects, predating dinosaurs, first appearing almost 300 million years ago, which is a long time to perfect those flying/hunting skills. Add the fact that they have the ability to fly speeds up to thirty five miles an hour, which helps avoid predators and catch prey, as well as the fact that they possess powerful serrated mandibles (jaw bones) used to hold and crush their prey, it is no surprise their hunt success rate is so high!

So next time you’re out in the garden and see a beautiful, flying dragonfly, take time to admire it, and just be thankful you’re not a mosquito! 

If you are just as impressed as I am about these wonderful creatures, make sure to check out our beautiful selection of handcrafted Haitian metal dragonflies perfect for your garden available in our shop!

Have 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 is not only therapeutic, but also helps build muscles and burns calories. Many of us don’t realize the amount of healthy exercise that we can get while working on our garden. But, think about it for a second, walking back and forth, bending up and down, pulling, twisting, pushing a lawnmower, being out in the fresh air and sunshine, not only does it make our home and garden look nice, but it is an excellent source of stress relieving and exercise! It's all good for the mind, body and soul! 

So, it is no wonder, that June 6^th, well into spring and almost at summer, National Gardening Exercise Day is observed. Now this day isn’t just about gardening, it’s about maximizing the benefits of gardening by adding some stretches, extra steps, or even squats! Stretching to prevent injury, extra brisk steps to increase heart rate, and squats help build and maintain muscle. If you're anything like me and don't like going to the gym, this is a perfect way to keep your self active and moving this summer!

But how does one safely observe Gardening Exercise Day. Here are a few suggestions:

1.Start slowly. Small Steps!

2.Use right and left hands equally (don’t want to build muscle only on one side).

3.Lift with your legs, not back!

4.Drink plenty of water.

5.Enjoy your garden decorated with Fair Trade items from It’s Cactus! (You like how we threw that in there?) 

Talking about decorating your garden with Fair Trade items, here are some ideas to beautify your garden! 

(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 was the debut of Haitian metal sculpture among all things Celtic. Strange, you say? Well, maybe. And then again, maybe not.

Our artists have been working on Celtic designs for over two years now. Celtic symbolism translates easily into much of their work. The Celtic Tree of Life, for example, has “infinity knots” worked into its roots and branches. And how appropriate that the Tree of Life symbolizes the infinite cycle of death and rebirth, while knots themselves represent a bond, just as the Tree that binds the Heavens and Earth below.

It turned out that the Celtic Tree of Life, as well as our Celtic Crosses, were great hits! And though they are quite marvelous, we were surprised how fast the dragonflies “flew.” out of the booth. We had no idea that in Celtic lore, dragonflies are believed to once have been dragons. Following their metamorphosis into dragonflies, they belong to the faerie folk. Dragonflies are thereby strong emblems of change. Further, their skittering across water indicates that, in life, one needs to not look only at the surface of things, but also to look deeper to find greater truth and meaning.

Additionally, there were requests among the patrons for other things of Celtic imagery. Birds, and particularly ravens were mentioned time and again. According to Celtic tradition, ravens are seers, favorites of the Celtic gods and goddesses, and are often linked to a warrior’s death in battle. It is even said that King Arthur, (Yes, I know, he’s Welsh, but that fits under the Celtic umbrella, along with the Bretons, Cornish, and Gaels.) receiving a mortal wound at the Battle of Camlann turned into a raven and flew away to Avalon. To bring the idea full circle, ravens in the voodoo culture of Haiti symbolize the divinity of Man.

                                                             They are the real deal! Kilt-wearing patrons at the booth.

Ravens then, demonstrably worthy, are on the radar. It takes time, though, to go from concept to product. Drawings will be exchanged between Casey and our artists in Haiti. From those drawings, several prototype sculptures will be made. Several months may pass before the right combination of design and execution is reached, but when success is achieved, the artist will receive his order. Weeks later, we’ll get the first peek of the new sculptures at the warehouse in Salinas.

Celtic designs in Haitian metal? Not so strange as it sounds. They are a perfect fit!

Update May 2023

Almost six years have passed since this last post. Ravens have come and go, but our Celtic collection has evolved and grown to what it is now, a curated collection that we are proud of. But, as we very well know, it will continue to change, grow and evolve. That is the beauty of art. 

To see our current selection, including one-of-a-kind, celtic items click here!

The 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 are known among the best-known storytellers of folk tales having popularized stories such as Cinderella, Handsel and Gretel, Little Red Riding Hood, Rumpelstiltskin, Sleepy Beauty… any of those sound familiar?

However, The Brothers Grimm also published a potentially lesser-known story, “Town Musicians of Bremen”, in 1819, which was based on the account of Dorothea Viehmann, a German storyteller. This story is quite fascinating and I am honestly surprised Disney didn’t pick it up and make a movie out of it. It has everything a good Disney movie needs: dead parents (in this case horrible owners), loveable main character (in this case 4), evil opponents, the power of love and friendship, discovering one’s own path, transformation, good over evil, and a happy ending.

So, for those who have not heard of it, here’s the brief (not so brief) summary: The tale follows the life of a donkey, a dog, a cat, and a rooster. These four animals had all passed their prime years in life and usefulness in their respective farms, were being mistreated, and would soon be discarded (you know what I mean) by their owners. So, as any sane person (or animal) would do, they decide to leave their horrible homes and set out together to carve out their own path. They decided to live without owners and becomes musicians in no other place than Bremen, a place known for its freedom.

On their way to Bremen, they see a cottage and when they look inside, they see three rotten robbers enjoying their undeserved gains. Right then and there they decide to scare the robbers away by making a horrid sound. They stand on each other’s backs (Donkey at the base, followed by dog, followed by cat, and finally the rooster on top) and make a din. The men, terrified not knowing what noise that is or what could have made it, run for their lives. The animals take possession of the house, eat the good, warm meal left behind by the robbers, and settle down for the evening. Sounds like a pretty happy ending, right? Right, but as any good story would have it, this is just the beginning.

The robbers decide they will not go down without a fight so, later that night, they return to the cottage and send one of the members in to investigate. As the robber looks inside the window, all he sees in the pitch black are burning of coals on fire. He reaches over to light his candle, but didn’t realize those were no coals at all, but the cat’s eyes shining in the darkness. What happens next, happens very quickly: the cat scratches his face with its claws, the dog bites him on the leg, the donkey kicks him with his hooves, and the rooster crows and chases him out! Talk about these animals being passed their prime and usefulness. The terrified robber then runs off (honestly, I’m just surprised he got up so quickly after being kicked by a donkey) and tells his companions what happened, but his story goes a little like this: He says he encountered a horrible witch who had scratched him with her long fingernails, a dwarf who attacked him with a knife, a black monster who hit him with a club, and worst of all there was a judge calling out from the rooftop. The terrified robbers have no other option than to abandon the cottage to these strange creatures, leaving the cottage once and for all for the animals live happily ever after.

Great story, right? But you know what makes it even better? Good morals. So here are a few: A clear lesson in this story is respect for our elders. This helps to show that age comes with wisdom. All the animals in the story may not have been as strong as they once were, but they were wiser. So much so that they were able to outsmart the robbers who were stronger than them. It also shows an important lesson about teamwork. On their own, these animals may not have been able to achieve much, but together, they succeeded and thrived. And lastly, family is those you choose, those who support you, and help you along the way.

For this reason, there have been many screen and stage adaptations, musicals, theatre plays, operas, video games, paintings and sculptures about this tale. So it comes to no surprise that one of our Haitian partners, Davidson Saint Fort, created a beautiful representation of these Town Musicians of Bremen, which honestly has to be one of our favorites, and can now be displayed in your home!

Collectors 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 as varied as the collectors themselves. One friend of mine collects roosters. Why? Simply because her husband was born in 1957, the Chinese Year of the Rooster. Another friend, nicknamed “Moo” collects – you guessed it – cows. Moo has great fun with her sizeable collection, the piece de resistance of which is a full-sized “Ben and Jerry’s” cow statue. “Matilda” stands pretty close to the middle of Moo’s long, wooded driveway and she is adorned tastefully, yet whimsically as fits the season or occasion. Picture wreaths at Christmastime, Easter bonnets of wonderous flourish, and a sweeping bridal veil heralding a family wedding.

Consider then, the collectors in your life, and follow with some thought to what shopping looms on the horizon. Birthday, house-warming, hostess gift, Christmas – they all do pop up. Got a lover of cows on your list? Roosters? Dragons? Deer? Frida Khalo? It’s Cactus just might have you covered! In all price ranges, sizes, and mediums. Best of all, your gift purchase will be in direct support of the artist who made it. Handmade, Fair Trade Certified, and back to the cake for the sweet tooth: They’re going to love it!

It 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 WHERE to display our sculptures, (on the fence, on the wall, above the doorway, on the fireplace, etc.) but most of them require knowing HOW to hang them first. So let’s back up a bit and I’ll do a little show and tell.

Some of our recycled metal sculptures come with a hanger riveted to the back of the piece, making it pretty obvious how to get the job of hanging done. If it doesn’t have a hanger, it’s because it doesn’t need one. The job is still a snap and all you have to do is follow these 3 simple steps:

1. Looking at the front of the sculpture and find the approximate middle where design elements are joined or closed. In this tree of life, it is where two leaves meet. Hammer the first nail in there.

2. Then, find another place where design elements are joined or closed. Use this point to straighten and secure the piece. If the sculpture is large, you may want to use another nail or two, but for most sculptures (23″ round or smaller) 1-2 nails are sufficient. ” When you step back to admire your work, you’ll see that the nails have “disappeared” into the sculpture.

Pro Tip: If your sculpture has a “face” such as that of a bird or mermaid, for instance, make sure you DO NOT put the nails in the eyes or mouth. A viewer’s attention will go right to those elements and therefore, straight to your nail. That is exactly what you don’t want.

And just like that, your beautiful Haitian metal art is up! Now, didn’t I tell you? It’s a snap!

Watch a quick video tutorial HERE on our Instagram! 

After 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 been holding off on giving an update on Haiti hoping to have some great news, but unfortunately, that has not fully been the case. Some of our orders have been on back order, and custom work is out of the question. For this reason, I decided to share what we have heard from our artists and some of the messages we have been receiving directly from them in Haiti.

In few words, the situation has not improved in Haiti. Two things that our artists mention often are the direct and indirect effects of violence. For example, due to the continued violence, the materials necessary for our artists are becoming scarcer, which not only makes the materials harder to find, but also more expensive. When it comes to finding the materials, this is what one of our artists had to say:

“When it comes to next Jobs Chief, I am becoming anxious because ther are often shooting in croix des bouquets which makes us worried to move around for materials and check over our workers. Also the materials are expensive and not easy to find, the guys once they paid upfront one person for materials and still can't have them, some of them refuse to pay another person again. At last, I am not sure about the situation in croix des bouquets, we are becoming more and more anxious...I am afraid that in future if it continues to be like this, that some artists would go too far in countryside and with their payment and refuse to come back for too long.”

But the effect is not just on cost of goods, but it also directly affects their safety. Our artists are hard-working, family, and community men, who work to provide for their families. It is no surprise that the current situation in Haiti makes many of them worried, especially when violence affects their workplace. This is one of the situations that recently affected one of our artist’s workshops:

“Hi Chief, one of Vitelhom guys attacked one of our working spot this morning, he took 2 phones and a policeman was nearby and shot on him but could not be hit.

When I was about to go there, the passersby told me there are shootings right now. I am trying to get in touch with those guys. That might cause a problem for the shipping date. I will know when I can contact or see the guys, but that guy would probably bring more people with him.”

However, the violence has not ended there. For example, we started working with a new artist, Rolando Jeudy. He sent over pictures of samples of his work. I immediately fell in love with some of it and sent payment so we could receive these items. This was back in December prior to the holidays. However, the very next day, we received the following message from one of our artists:

“Rolando Jeudy has been just victim tonight on his way back from an Art Fair in Karibe Hotel, he was touched but bullets in the car in tabarre. I was just asking, he's in oxygen now...I will hand the job to his father. Many of us were there, but I did not go. My mind did not tell me. There were shootings on the road when the guys were coming back.”

Messages like these are so heartbreaking. Knowing what our beloved business partners, artists, and friends are going through is heart breaking. Thankfully, the one good thing that can be said is that Rolando is doing so much better. He is out of the hospital, doing well, back home and working. It’s funny because when we asked him what he would like our customers to know about him, he didn’t mention any of this. He said:

“I am an artist. I have my own sculpture store which name is “Original shop”. I have been working for 5 years. I have been working since 2018, I was 19 years old. I am a good artist whom you can trust. Now I learned it by myself , because where I live people live on it, my father tought me how to work metal, he really help me with working them , I saw how he did it and I copy them , and now I’m a professional metal worker, and his works are my inspiration.”

Even with all of the problems, our artists have continued to work. They are working hard to provide a better future for themselves and their families. They have not allowed for all of these issues to stop them, and the resilience that Haitians are known for has shown again. They just want to have the ability to provide for themselves, their families, and make their communities better and safer. I am happy to say that thanks to your continued support, we at It’s Cactus have continued to support these artists by continuing to place orders knowing that we will receive them even if it takes a little longer.

Rolando Jeudy's Work: 

For a video of Rolando Jeudy working on his current art, check out this video on Instagram. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/CpxyQGHOGmY/

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 really a complete or direct answer, is it? (Yeah, I know, I kind of dodged it.) Still, it’s a hard question to answer because there isn’t one “absolutely all-the-time” firm, formulaic response. (I think I just saw you roll your eyes…)

Let me start by saying that we negotiate the price for every new piece we order. Artists tell us what they would like to get, and we consider what end price the market will bear. If we can compensate them at their asking price, cover our costs, and turn their pieces over quickly in the marketplace, we’ve got the magic number. Dealing is done. But sometimes the magic number comes after going back to the pencil and paper a time or two. Sometimes the artists have to re-think what they hope to make. Or sometimes we say, “Okay, we’ll try it at that price and see if it moves. ” And we’ve even said, “Oh, we can do better for you than that. Let’s go higher.”

I can tell you honestly that I have watched these discussions a hundred times, and all of those responses have occurred. Generally, the more experienced the artist, the better feel he has for pricing. His asking price and our buying price are easily matched and settled with a smile and handshake. We’ve been doing this successfully for a while now and so have they. Together, we’ve learned that these exchanges yield the best results for everybody. It’s all good!

So then what?

The artist receives his order, for say thirty of his “Flower with Hummingbird” designs. At the time he receives that order, he also receives full payment for all thirty pieces. In this way, we not only meet, we exceed fair trade practice guidelines, which set a 50% minimum. One month later, the art is delivered to our warehouse. In other words, we absorb all of the risk. If a flood washes out the workshop, the loss is ours. Not everyone works on those terms, but we do. Always have, always will.

And there you have it. The answer is somewhat circuitous, but the clear result is win-win. (Oh! I just saw you roll your eyes again…)

It’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 pet to be part of their family, with many of those considering themselves to be their pet’s parent and another significant amount of people considering themselves to be their pet’s best friend. This comes as no surprise as our lovely furry friends bring us companionship, reduce loneliness, increase feelings of social support, and boost our mood. So why not show how much we love them by bringing in some unique, one-of-a-kind, handcrafted folk art! Shop this and more on our website!

(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, versatile, and just right for oh-so many things. Not only that, they are wonderful, traditional folk art items with a distinctive place in Guatemalan cultural history.

The ancient Mayans, whose ancestors compose a great deal of Guatemala’s current population, placed a high value on the weaving skills of their women. Over a thousand years ago, the Mayans cultivated cotton for textile production. Vegetable dyes were concocted by the men, who also dyed the cotton fibers, but from there the women took over. Spinning and then weaving the threads, they formed in intricate patterns on simple backstrap looms. Women of royalty were taught to a supremely high level of skill and used cotton fiber of the highest quality to create textiles of great complexity. The peasantry did not, of course have access to the finest cottons, and the garments they made were often simpler, but in both cases the ability to weave was a measure of a woman’s worth.

Interestingly, ancient Mayan steles have been discovered by archaeologists who have identified the goddess of weaving, Ix Chel, busy at her work. She is depicted as sitting with her backstrap loom, one end tied to a tree and the other affixed around her waist. The Cosmic Weaver holds the shuttle in her left hand, poised to pass the warp threads through the weft, as generations of mortal women have ever since.

Today, Rosa creates our woven belts in exactly the same manner. We have been buying her handcrafted textiles for years and always, the pride of her family, village, and culture is worked painstakingly into every piece. We call them belts or hatbands, and in fact they can be used either way. But that’s not all! We have seen them affixed to mortar boards at graduations, used as trim on pants and jackets, and as curtain ties – all with great result! They can be used to tie up packages, or to add color and Latin flair to small holiday trees and wreaths. Though the origins of handwoven Mayan textiles go back millennia, the look is hot, hot, HOT today!

Check out our current selection of belts here!

Did you know there’s a day for Dragon appreciation? Yup, January 16^th 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. It comes to no surprise, powerful wings and flaming fiery breath, mystical and full of wisedom, while also tamable, noble, and, at times, even friendly. Although Appreciate a Dragon Day has only been around since 2004, dragons and appreciation for them has a long history.

Although it is not clear when or where dragons first originated from, they can be traced back to the ancient Greeks and Sumerians, where their personality could range from useful and protective to harmful and dangerous. Dragons have also been a part of East Asian culture for over 4,000 years where they were honored as sources of power and bringers of rain. However, not all their symbolism is as noble. As Christianity spread across the world, dragons came to represent something more sinister: Satan and evil. For this reason, a dragon can be both a symbol of bad, destruction, and evil, while also being a symbol of supernatural power, wisdom, good luck, courage and strength depending on the culture.

Their symbolism is not all that varies within cultures. The way dragons are depicted in art and literature also varies. Western dragons tend to have bat-like wings and are considered something to be feared, where as Eastern dragons have snake-like features, many times with no wings, and are associated with royalty and heaven.

Haiti and Central America, where our dragons come from, really take the first approach by having their dragons be winged, fire breathing creatures; however, whether the dragon you take home is something to be feared or whether it is friendly and welcoming, that is for you to decide! See what we have in stock, here!

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 are handmade works of art and vintage collectible items. They are made using traditional fabric.

Cholita Dolls:

Fewer people are as recognizable and symbolistic to a whole country as Cholitas are to Bolivia: their bowler hat, their long braids, their beautiful shawls paired with stunning bright-colored skirts. There is no mistaking them. However, up until a little over 10 years ago, Cholitas were discriminated against and marginalized due to their indigenous backgrounds. Often, the term “cholitas” was used as a derogatory way indicating someone was poor and alienated. The discrimination was so obvious that many would even be refused entry to certain restaurants, taxis, and even public transportation. However, this was quickly changed in 2006 with the election of Evo Morales, the country’s first indigenous president. Over the past years, cholitas have participated more in politics, television, and fashion. They have now formed an integral part of Bolivia’s national identity as they come to symbolize the renewed dignity of the indigenous population. We are proud to have our cholita dolls dressed in their traditional clothing, made by indigenous women, in our shop.

Ekeko:

As we share more of our wide collection of vintage handmade dolls, you might find one particularly interesting. It is that of a man with a mustache wearing traditionally Andean clothing, specifically a colorful poncho and a hat. He doesn’t have a spare hand, as he is normally depicted carrying bags and baskets with food, household objects and money. (Now that I think of it, he looks a little like me when I get home from a grocery store trip and I’m trying to bring everything into my home in one trip.) Ekeko’s are a traditional god of luck and prosperity and are meant to bring monetary wealth to its worshippers. An offering is generally required before he provides his services.

Musicians:

Music has always played a very important role in all cultures, and to Bolivia this is no exception. Originally, before the Spanish invaded Bolivia, the instruments used in folk and traditional Bolivian music were wind and percussion instruments. The Siku (panpipe) or quena with their variations were the main wind folk instruments. The Bombo or Reco Reco are some of the percussion instruments utilized. The Guitar and Charango are some of the string instruments were also commonly used. See our various traditional Bolivian musician dolls available in our shop!

Coca Leaf Vendors: 

Coca is a native Southern American plant which plays an important role in Andan societies. In additional to its traditional medicinal value, it has also played a leading role in social interaction and religious ceremonies. In Andean communities, the  coca leaf is many times used as currency in some communities, while also playing a fundamental role in social interactions. For example, asking for a woman's hand in marriage involves a handful of coca leaves as a gift. And finally, the coca leaf is used in religious rituals to protect soem one from curses, change mad luck, and make offerings. You can find some coca leaf dolls on our site! 

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 outcome given the circumstances, it did shine a spot-light on the power of Haiti’s gangs. They affect every aspect of Haitian life. Just in May of this year, UNICEF warned that half a million children had lost access to education following the closure of 1,700 schools in the capital and surrounding areas due to gang shoot-outs. Even though this does not get much news coverage, the situation has only worsened.

Time and time again, these gangs have continued to terrorize residents by burning their homes, stealing their belongings, and even killing many innocent civilians. According to a report by the UN, Haitian gangs have even started using sexual violence including against young children and the elderly to instill fear, punish, subjugate, and inflict pain on local populations. Gunfire has turned to be a daily occurrence. Just this Saturday October 22, 2022, violent armed clashes took place in Croix-des-Bouquets, the village known for its Haitian steel drum art, the city where many of our artist friends live. Our artists, their families, and their communities are all being affected by this senseless fighting between the Torcel gang commanded by “Vitelom” and the 400 Mawazo gang commanded by Wilson Joseph. Formerly, these two gangs were allies, but now they are in a violent and bloody conflict over territory. They are responsible for having killed over a dozen people since Saturday and our artist friends have not been immune to this. Here are some of the heartbreaking messages I received from them this weekend:

“Bandits entered my house yesterday, they were beating my dad but when my mom asked to beat her instead because my dad is sick, then they stopped beating him. They were asking him for money, they entered and took my phone, my laptop and 650US under the laptop. They took my dad out and asked him to lead them to John Remy house, mom kept following them and was asking for mercy. When my dad was telling he doesn’t know John Remy house, they beated him in the street and God touched their heart and released him. When it comes to me, I sat down on the inside stairs, I opened the door and jumped down the roof. I fell on the ground and there was one who came and pointed at me and told if I ran he would shoot me, I made a grave mistake I still ran away but thanks to God, the guy did not really shoot me. He let me run. Your friend nearly lost his life yesterday and the whole family, Luckily God held back the hand of that guy when I jumped down my house roof.”

“While Mawozo and Vitelom were fighting together, Wilson lost a big brother named Isaac. He was on his bike on the way home from buying some bread, Mawozo guys wanted to stop him, he refused and ran but they shot him in the head.”

“Bandits with weapons killed 6 people in the artisan village, we have to leave our homes.”

“We have been facing some trouble in the area that will affect the job for certain days… many of us go to work out of the zone, some of the work are being done currently in Mirebalais.”

It truly is heartbreaking hearing from dear friends and business partners about the struggles they are facing and how it seems no one is coming to their help. How they have to flee their towns and homes. How many of them and their families are being abused and beaten. They have sent video (which you may see on our Instagram page) asking for help, asking, "Where are the authorities? The PNH (Police Nationale d'Haiti)? The Journalists? The UNESCO?". At the time when they need it the most, no one is responding to their pleas for help. So lets try to get the word out to people, the more people that care, the more changes can be made and aid can be sent their way. 

Did you know October 13th is No Bra Day? I mean there are days for pretty much everything, but one for no bra? Isn’t that just about every day after 5 o’clock?

Well, as fun and quirky as it may seem to have a specific day to just let the girls run free, it’s actually part of October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month initiative to promote breast cancer awareness, while also helping raise money for research. Its purpose is to serve as a reminder for all women to be screened for breast cancer. Most types of breast cancer can be treated if caught early, so early screenings and breast exams are key to the early detection process! 

So how can one participate in #NoBraDay besides the obvious? Easy: take charge of your health and encourage others to do the same! Some ways to do so are:

1. Set a reminder in your calendar to complete MONTHLY breast exams!
2. If you are due for a mammogram, call and schedule one.
3. If you’ve already had a mammogram, share your experience. Take the mystery and fear out of it by letting friends and family know it is nothing to be scared (or embarrassed) of.
4. Make a list of questions to ask your doctor.

The main thing as we mentioned, is don't forget to screen. We may do it one month and then forget the next three. In order to make sure we are doing it every single month, here are a few tips. 

1. Set a recurring monthly reminder on your phone. Everytime you get it, set aside time to do your breast exam. 
2. Talking about Breast Cancer Awareness with your friends. This is a great way to keep ourselves and them accountable. 
3. If you are a visual person and if you need an additional (we don't recommend this one being your only) reminder, we at It's Cactus have a perfect way to help: check out our #NoBraEveryday art. Display it proudly in your home, whenever your girlfriends ask about it let them know its for breast cancer awarness, and everytime you walk by it, ask yourself if you've done your monthly exam! 

Breast cancer is the most common type of breast cancer in women worldwide, let's take a stand against it!

And the perfect charms to share:

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, Mexico. She is known for creating beautiful, intricate hand-painted pottery plates and vases using the “Blanco y Negro” style that requires treating fired pots with engobes, special thin-clay solutions that prepare the pot. She has absolutely mastered this technique; however, one of the things that makes her work so special and really stand out, is that she depicts folkloric scenes and every day images of Purepecha women from her native town in such a beautifully artistic, yet simplistic, way.

Angelica has painted big, staple rituals, festivals, and celebrations in the Mexican culture such as women offering at an altar on Día de los Muertos and traditional dances such as “El Baile de los Machetes” (The Dance of the Machetes), but she also depicts normal, non-eventful, every-day life with paintings of woman selling at the market, men picking crops, and boys playing with trompos. Each and every one of her works shows the love, appreciation and the beauty she finds in her culture and it’s really a privilege to be able to catch a glimpse of what she sees through her eyes. 

Here are a few of our favorites: