24 inch Painted Fish & Shell

Artisan Organization: Caribbean Craft

Country:

"See through the eyes of Haitian artisans, and you'll realize that Haiti is more than a story of poverty, dysfunctional politics, and climate disasters." —Magalie Noel Dresse, founder
Established in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Caribbean Craft is a sustainable home décor brand that aims to strengthen isolated artisan communities by exporting papier-mâché handicrafts created from upcycled paper. As Haiti's largest craft exporter, Caribbean Craft supports dozens of artisans in need of employment, design training, and market linkages.

"Caribbean Craft was founded in 2006, but our story really began when I went to grade school," says Magalie Noel Dresse, the brand's creator. "Across the street from my school was an artist's workshop that drew me in from grade one. After class, I had to wait quite a long time before my parents picked me up, so I usually scurried over to this artist's studio and watched him create and sell. I was captivated by both sides of his work but never fully understood why he sold products at such low prices when each item took two weeks minimum to make; he barely made a living. This frustrated me and is what first stoked my interest in the handmade sector."

"Decades later, Caribbean Craft was founded with the goal of providing higher wages and better working conditions for craftspeople across the country. Our creative vision followed suit and arose from a mixture of chance and intention. One of our artisans was from Jacmel, a town in southern Haiti famous for elevating the craft of papier-mâché masks made from upcycled paper. Masks are most popular during Jacmel's annual Kanaval (Carnival), when the city's residents take to the streets and wear fantastic papier-mâché masks and costumes. As this artisan was teaching me how to make masks, I thought: why not create decorative papier-mâché items not only for the street but also for the home?"

"Caribbean Craft now harnesses the full potential of papier-mâché craft, designing and creating all sorts of decorative objects for the home, like vases, bowls, sculptures, and wall hangings. Our designs and colors vary from minimalist to organic and from rainbow to black and white.""