Here's the story of how these wire and cotton animals and yogi figures have come into being. You have 16 animal choices, plus people practicing yoga. We hope you'll support Marisol and these Colombian artisans.

Marisol Medina (seated on the left) began her work with wire and cotton six years ago. Her family was experiencing a very difficult economic situation. Seeking calmness for their souls, she and her family decided to change from their life in the city to that of the countryside. They chose Tabio, a little town surrounded by mountains, located 60 km from Bogotá, the capital of Colombia.

Her love for animals and close contact with nature inspired Marisol to create her cotton animal world. She invented each character, and she improved her technique of modeling with wire and rolling the cotton thread. People loved them. Marisol felt she could improve her family's economic situation.

In Colombia, the most important national fair for handcrafts takes place in Bogota for 13 days each December. Marisol entered this fair, and she met her first wholesale and retail clients.

Lion   $6.00 each     This pride of lions is awaiting a home.

Tiger $6.00 each

Marisol started a workshop, giving work to some local women. While the sales at the handcraft fair were good, they only supported the women for 3 months a year.

Marisol worked hard for many years. She experienced the difficulties that are typical for artisans in Colombia. People must spend their earnings on basic needs, so they have little disposable income. Shop owners are wary of the risks and don't buy, accepting goods on consignment, paying the artisans only after an item is sold.

Snakes $6.00 each

Goat (left) Cow (right) $6.00 each Animal Choice: Goat Cow

Giraffe and Unicorn       $6.00 each (2 example Giraffes shown left and middle; Unicorn on right) Animal Choice: Giraffe Unicorn

Elephants $6.00 each

Apart from the annual handcraft fair in December, there were few opportunities for sales. Marisol became disillusioned. She stopped participating in the fair, and so she could support fewer workers.

But she didn't give up, and recently Marisol's future has been looking better. Piel Acida, an organization in Bogota that produces and commercializes handicrafts in the international market, gave her a hand. Now her wire and cotton zoo has been successful at fairs both in New York and Frankfurt.

Gazelle (left) Cat (right) $6.00 each Animal Choice: Gazelle Cat

Sheep (left) Duck (right) $6.00 each Animal Choice: Sheep Duck

5-legged Octopus (left) Dolphin (right) $6.00 each The Dolphin has a string attached so he can be hung up. Animal Choice: 5-leg Octopus Dolphin

In Tabio, work opportunities are scarce and often women are paid less than the minimum salary. But now Marisol can give work to 10 women from the countryside. They're paid for each piece that they make. The work has become more consistent, and so the women are happier.

Marisol is also happy. In the Tabio mountains she transformed herself from an employee of a plastic factory to an independent entrepreneur. She has a good life, a hopeful future, and she's helping other women pursue their life goals as well.

Zebra (left) Snail (right) $6.00 each Animal Choice: Zebra

People Practicing Yoga Asanas

As you can see below, these wire figures can be bent into many different yoga positions. You can choose among male or female white devotees, and male or female orange swamis. The women have assorted hair colors; the men all have dark hair and beards. A person in lotus position sits about 3" high; a straightened figure is about 6".

A fun gift for the yoga practitioner in your life!

Female Swami $8.00 each

Female Devotee $8.00 each

Male Yogi $8.00 each Color Choice: White Devotee Orange Swami

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