Tikanchay's Blog » Carved gourd jewelry

Peruvian Carved Gourd Jewelry

Elaine — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 16:10:39 +0000

How can a gourd be used to make gorgeous artisan jewelry? With the talent of Peruvian artisans, of course. Their tradition of carving gourds goes back thousands of years, and was once a way of relaying information and telling stories. Today, virtually any kind of pattern or design can be found on gourds throughout Peruvian markets. Birds, butterflies, flowers and animals are among the most popular gourd carvings. Others depict traditional dancers, the Amazon jungle, or a series of intricate traditional motifs, like the Carved Gourd Necklace pictured here. I own an entire collection of gourds with all of the aforementioned designs, and I am still amazed when I see a new and creative take on gourd carving. Before carving, the gourds are dried in the sun. This preserves them for decoration purposes and allows for the intricate details that make gourd art so fascinating. Some gourds are cut in half in a zigzag pattern to become little boxes, and others are cut into pieces so the tiny designs can be inlaid into gourd jewelry. These carved gourd necklaces, bracelets and earrings are a very unique form of organic jewelry.

Peruvian Carved Gourd Pendant

Elaine — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 15:30:00 +0000

We love hearing from our customers. Karen from Milford, CT recently contacted us to say how much she loves wearing her Gourd Pendant. Karen said, “I’ve never received so many compliments and questions about a piece of jewelry before.” A special tool allows artisans to create different designs and hues in the natural gourd to create designs like this. Gourd carving has existed in Peru for centuries, and the artisans we work with have perfected their art. All of the gourds are meticulously carved first, then cut to fit perfectly in sterling silver Artisan Jewelry. This pendant comes on a leather cord, which complements its natural, earthy feel. Browse our selection of other Gourd Jewelry designs to find one that fits your style.

Peruvian Gourd Carving Produces Unique Handcrafted Jewelry Designs

Elaine — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 19:06:51 +0000

Want to know more about our exotic gourd jewelry? The art of Peruvian gourd carving dates back more than 4,000 years, and is still one of the most interesting organic forms of art you will find today. In order to create mate (ma-tay), or pieces of gourd art, artisans choose gourds in different shapes and sizes and then remove their skins. After the outer shell is removed, the gourds are left out in the sun to dry naturally. The dried gourds then become the perfect canvas for traditional Peruvian art. In order to create their designs, artisans use a technique called pyrography. This art form utilizes thin, poker-like instruments which are used to burn designs into organic materials. You may have seen leather or wood that has been etched using a pyrography technique, especially if you are somewhat familiar with Native American art. Although pyrography and gourd carving have been traced back to several ancient societies through Africa and Asia, the ancient people of the Americas are well known for this kind of art. In Peru, gourd carving is especially tied to the highland people in the Andean region. Our artisan jewelry is created by artisans who honor ancient traditions like gourd carving while creating modern styles like these Geometric Peruvian Gourd Earrings.

A Beautiful Birds Necklace, a Great Gift for Her

Elaine — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 12:15:06 +0000

A handmade gourd necklace is beautiful to begin with, but a graceful bird design makes it even more special. This silver and gourd birds necklace is a wonderful organic gift for her. The design is burned into the gourd by hand, using the amazing art of mate (pronounced ma-tay). Bird and nature lovers will appreciate this stunning piece of handcrafted jewelry. A handmade necklace is a wonderful way to show her how special she really is.

Unique Gift Ideas Stand Out from the Crowd

Elaine — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 16:32:31 +0000

I always look for unique gift ideas when shopping for my best friends, because I know they appreciate gifts that show I really looked for something special to share with them. The first time I saw mate (ma-tay) jewelry from Peru, I knew I wanted to share it with the people I care about. It is so beautiful and unique – I couldn’t keep it to myself! I have given necklaces and bracelets to several of my friends, and they all wear them on a regular basis. The best part is that these come in matching sets, so I’ve been able to give the necklace for Christmas and the earrings for a birthday, and vice versa. It is great when I can give a friend a gift that complements something she already loves, and jewelry sets are perfect for that. Right now these pieces are 15% off!

Organic Gifts – Natural Gourd Jewelry

Elaine — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 16:15:37 +0000

When it comes to organic gifts, Tikanchay’s hand-carved gourd jewelry is a fantastic choice. Artisans burn intricate designs into pieces of natural gourd, which are then paired with sterling silver to create these amazing works of art. Organic jewelry is a wonderful eco-friendly option for holiday gifts, and you can be sure that our gourd jewelry is handmade by artisans who are truly masters in their craft. As with any art form, there are different levels of skill when it comes to Mate (pronounced ma-tay) and we choose only the finest examples of this impressive artwork. Right now, this organic jewelry collection is 15% off, so choose some gifts today at fantastic prices, like this bird necklace.