From Kwame Frimpong comes this letter holder, adorned with detailed African stylizations. Hand-carved from cindera wood, this piece features identical faces on both sides to appear like twins. Referred to as takyie, twins in Africa are believed to hold supernatural powers. A versatile piece, this letter holder makes for an original desk ornament.
"Although I mainly carve, I undertake wood designing and pattern realization as well."
"My birthplace is traceable to a humble township in the Ashanti region of Ghana. I was born there on November 11, 1968... and named Kwame Frimpong. My alias is Joe Plan, a tribute to my high sense of creativity. I undertook very limited formal education that culminated in the then reckonable 10th year, or Form Four of middle school.
"At the end of my schooling I took up cabby-driving for a living, but before long I had to discard that source of livelihood. I told myself that with one partially lame lower limb, I could possibly be disqualified to drive, thus wasting precious time in which I could undertake the learning of a lucrative trade. Alternatively, I undertook carving as a professional trade, quickly but intelligently developing and honing my natural skills and flair for it. Before long I became adept in realizing different objects from the blocks of wood that I acquired for work.
"Although I mainly carve, I undertake wood designing and pattern realization as well. What I mean is, I not only do I carve stools, masks and other objects. I also originate intricate but interesting patterns for fusing into the totality of the design of other wood products like chairs, tables, you name it. In extension, pattern creation and realization is one thing, carving is another thing altogether. I work principally in cedar wood. This resource is not only reasonably tough and therefore good for carving, but it is naturally bitter to taste, so termites and other insect pests are deterred from antagonizing it. Another of its qualities is its ability to age without cracking. Taken in summation, it is a kind of wood that's well preserved naturally. The process of accomplishing a work begins with the acquisition of choice wood. A good search precedes spotting the preferred one and preparing them for work.
"The chosen wood is chopped up into pre-measured chunks or blocks using both modern and traditional tools as applicable. The sizes of these blocks are predetermined by the form and kind of carving intended to be realized from them. This is a step that invokes foresightedness. Any piece of wood, which lacks the required quality on any point for selection, is immediately rejected. Carvings that emerge from these pieces of wood are initially taken through a drying period after pattern lines have been etched onto them. When drying is complete, pattern lines are painted in for the attainment of an antique look, using a fine grain moistened powder-like substance. Polishing follows when the painting has dried, finishing off the creation of an object of art. Whether it's a stool, drum, mask, oware, human or animal form that is created, no less dedication and the best skills are involved for detailed execution and finishes.
"It remains to observe that the carving industry faces some problems of its own, although strides have been made, and are still being made to smooth the path toward the total liberation of the carver from existing inconveniences. The trend of modern arguments for the environment and ecology, the global consensus on the need for the protection of Mother Nature from present and future abuse, and legislative intervention from government means that it's not that easy to procure a natural resource for processing, let alone wood! Moreover, carvers in my area, at least, have to contend with slow markets and delayed payments for orders made for creative works.
"In the final analysis I have to compete with other craftsmen in the trade to make ends meet for my suppliers, my helpers and apprentices, as well as my family and myself. In the time after my apprenticeship under my trainer and instructor Ernest Obeng ended, and I started my private entrepreneurship, I have hired a series of apprentices training under me and gaining skills requisite for making and maintaining a livelihood. These trainees form a part of some 15 young men and women who currently train and work under me as carvers, pattern creators, painters, and polishers.
"These men and women have made possible my ability to feature in four useful exhibitions mounted by Aid to Artisans, Ghana (ATAG), an NGO for the promotion of artisans' welfare. My first such featuring was in 1998, the second and third in 1999, and the fourth in 2000. I've plans to feature in future exhibitions as well, to show off my quality wares and make good economically sound sales."
Only valid on the Normal shipping option for shipments to 48 Lower US states.
Discounted shipping price may not be applied to previous orders.
This item ships with a free artist storycard, so you can remember who you impacted today. Customized gift messages are also available with every order.
We want you to be 100% satified with your order, so if you are not completely happy with your item, you can return it within 60 days of receiving it.
We pack, ship, certify and 100% guarantee the quality of this item. Watch this video to see how.
This item is available for backorder and will ship within 2 to 8 weeks. Artists love to get backorders. Placing a backorder ensures that the artisan will do their best to create and deliver your item to our local office for shipment.
Although we cannot guarantee availability, we do expect to be able to fill the order within the timeframe indicated. But sometimes life happens - special materials may not be immediately available to the artist, or there might be some other circumstance beyond our control that could delay the shipment.
If for any reason we are unable to ship the item within the timeframe indicated, we will notify you.
In the unlikely even that we are unable to ship the item within the timeframe indicated, we will contact you and provide an updated delivery window.
This item has a special shipping flat fee which means that due to bulk, duties, or other special requirements, the item will be shipped to you via one of our special one-rate services. Shipping is only available to the United States (lower 48 States only).
WOMEN
S
M
L
XL
XXL
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
22
BUST
35 - 36
37 - 38
39 - 41
42 - 44
46 - 48
WAIST
27 - 28
29 - 30
31 - 33
34 - 36
38 - 40
HIPS
37 - 38
39 - 40
42 - 43
45 - 46
49 - 50
MEN
S
M
L
XL
XXL
CHEST
36 - 38
39 - 41
42 - 44
46 - 48
50 - 52
WAIST
30 - 32
32 - 34
35 - 37
38 - 41
43 - 45
NECK
14 - 14.5
15 - 15.5
16 - 16.5
17 - 17.5
18 - 18.5
SLEEVE
32.5
33.5
34.5
35.5
36.5
FINDING YOUR SIZE
Take your measurements with the tape measure over your under garments. If your measurements fall between sizes you may prefer the next larger size. Inseam, skirt and dress lengths vary by style and will be listed in the item description. Our sweaters are knit in standard American sizes, however actual measurements vary by style.
BUST / CHEST
Measure around the fullest part of chest under the arms and over the shoulder blades keeping the tape measure level.
WAIST
Measure around the smallest part of the waist keeping the tape measure comfortably loose. Most garments use the low waist measurement noted below.
LOW WAIST
Measure around the body approximately 1.5" below the natural waist (above). This is the area where most pants and skirts actually fit.
HIPS
Standing with your heels together, measure around the fullest part of the body approx 7"-8" below the waist.
NECK
Measure around the base of the neck keeping the tape measure comfortably loose.
SLEEVE
Bend elbow slightly and starting at the center back of the neck, measure across the shoulder, to the elbow and down to the wrist.
INSEAM
Our standard inseam length for women is 32" and 34" for men; however inseam measurements will vary slightly by style.
Belts with buckles are measured in inches that correspond to a waist size however, most people do not wear belts on the waist, they wear them closer to the hips. A buckle belt measurement is take from the end of the "pin" of the buckle to the middle hole on the belt. Generally there are 5 holes for size adjustment, with a 1" space between each, so the middle hole will the be average size of the belt.
For at tie belt (no buckle) measure the belt portion end to end and half of the tie portion. This again is the medium size of the belt.
For a soft fabric tie belt it can be called "1 size fits most" and the entire length of the belt should be measured and listed.
See buckle/tie belt size standards below.
WOMEN
S
M
L
XL
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
22
inches
26 - 30
28 - 32
31 - 35
34 - 38
38 - 42
cm
76 - 86
81.5 - 91.5
86.5 - 96.5
91.5 - 101.5
96.5 - 106.5
+/- tolerance: 0.5 inches or 1.25 cm
MEN
S
M
L
XL
XXL
inches
30 - 34
32 - 36
35 - 39
39 - 43
43 - 47
cm
81.5 - 91.5
86.5 - 96.5
91.5 - 101.5
96.5 - 106.5
109 - 119
+/- tolerance: 0.5 inches or 1.25 cm
Sash tie length
Lay sash/tie out flat away from the garment and measure from end to end.
Belt with buckle
Measure from the end of the pin of the buckle (where it touches the buckle) to the middle hole.
Belt without buckle
Measure from the belt portion end to end and half of the tie portion. This is will give you the medium size of the belt.
Download our printable ring sizing chart to find the perfect fit!
We refer to these items as "discounted wholesale". Such items carry a deeper wholesale discount than other items, and have greater potential to provide your business with healthier resale margins.
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UNICEF Market's artisan-direct prices are made possible through our partnership with NOVICA, a leading fair trade organization that works directly with artisans in remote regions around the world in many of the same communities where UNICEF has missions. NOVICA’s ten global Artisan Empowerment Hubs in Asia, Africa, and Latin America provide interest-free microcredit loans to artisans and help them bring their handmade creations directly to you.
WIN # 2
Children Benefit!
UNICEF Market supports children by helping generate funds for UNICEF's programs dedicated to improving children's lives worldwide. These initiatives provide essential resources such as safe water, nutrition, education, health care, and emergency relief to children in need. Learn more here: UNICEF USA.
WIN # 3
Artisans Thrive!
UNICEF Market empowers artisans in emerging nations by offering a fair trade platform to sell their handcrafted goods, expanding their market reach and increasing their income. This support helps transform the lives of tens of thousands of artisans and their family members across the globe.
