Peru

Purchased at the Unicef store for about $40.00. It sits on a cabinet a friend in high school made. His name is Monte Mealy. We had a class together that was considered a studio class, and we individually worked on different projects. I asked him everyday if he was making it for me and he would say no. At the end of the semester he said, "Susan, you can have the cabinet if you still want it." I thought he said, "can't have it" so I replied, "I don't want it anyway." He said, "You have been asking for it all semester and now you don't want it when I offer it to you?" I quickly back peddled and said, "I thought you said that I couldn't have it. I would absolutely love it!" As you can see, he did give it to me. What great memories I have of that guy. He was always so kind and I never heard him say an unkind word.

(L09.B18.R03.)  

South Africa, Zulu

Zulu Nativity made of fabric and seed beads. Sometimes I like to use the little figure pictured on the right as Jesus and quote the scripture from Matthew 2:8...

And he (Harod) sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.

I like to think that it took a little while for all this to happen, and so Jesus could have been a little child of standing age. I have heard others say that Jesus could still have been just weeks or months old, but I like to think of a  "child" around 18 months. 

About the Zulu from the internet: 

"Zulu people refer to themselves as 'the people of the heavens' and they are the largest ethnic group of South Africa, with an estimated 10 million Zulu residents in KwaZulu-Natal. Zulu is the language of the Zulu people and about 10 million residents are fluent in the language."

((L09.B76.R) 

Japan

This Nativity is directly from Japan. Samuel served his mission in Japan, so I love everything Japanese. This set is sitting on my display table in my front room, and the other thing I love about it is the picture under the glass. It is a picture of Samuel and I the day we got married. We're doing a little kissing. 

(L09.B46.R003.)

Ecuador

I found this carving at a flee market in San Diego. It is absolutely beautiful. It measures about 18 inches tall and is all hand carved from Ecuador. Quite a find!

(L09.B118.R53.)

Russia

The following is the seller's description:

"RUSSIAN LACQUERED BROOCH

Beautiful Hand Painted Nativity Scene!

RARE AND UNIQUE!!

This  is a beautiful hand-made and hand-painted lacquered brooch.  For many years, various villages in Russia were known as seats of icon painting.  After the 1917 Revolution, icon painting was forbidden in the atheist state and former masters of icon painting had to switch to decorative boxes and brooches from papier-mache.  However, they continued to use the old Russian tradition.

The brooch on which you're bidding is round.  It is 2" across.  It has a painting of the Nativity - Mary, Joseph and the Baby Jesus with animals looking on.  It is signed with the name of the artist."

Ecuador

This Nativity is made by fusing different colors of glass together under high heat. It is from Ecuador. ($100) The plate with the baby has been broken, and the funny thing is that when I first found this, it was only the baby that I found. I was able to find the artist and order the rest of the set. Now it is incomplete again. The set below is by the same artist. The process of applying the different layers of glass is very tedious. The artist has to wear a respirator because the glass is very fine and can get into the lungs. Once the colors are all where they are wanted the glass is heated in a kiln and the layers fuse together. 

(L09.B.R06.)

(L09.B20.R05.)

USA-Greeting Cards

I made this Nativity from dozens of Christmas cards. I really love it and when I made it in 1995, my daughter Jenny made a smaller version at the same time . It turned out really cute. As you can see, I didn't limit the kings to 3 nor the shepherds to a few, and there is a choir of angels. The Holy Family is hard to find in this photo, but they are easy to see in person as they are clearly the center of all the characters' attention. I believe Jenny now has this piece. The piece measures 16x20”

South Africa

This Nativity is from South Africa. The style is called Raku I believe. The fun thing about this one is the plate that I used in this picture as the back drop. It is one of only 2 plates I have left from mine and Samuel's first set of dishes. They were very heavy stoneware and have all broken except for 2 full sets. I figure that Samuel and I will use them when we are all alone, and then we will break those also. The giraffe I found at a thrift store, and it matches the set. 

(L09.B117.R022.)

Panama

This is a pen drawing on paper done by a good friend, Ryan Heward. He created this to look like an art form called "Mola". Molas are made by sewing layers of fabric together. They are usually very intricate and colorful.  Ryan learned to copy this technique while serving a mission in Panama for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints among the Kuna Indians. 

(L09B.R02.)

Peru

Cute little round people, not a very common design for Peru. Purchased at the Unisef store in Phoenix, AZ.

(LL10.B999.R08.)

Russia

Hand carved from a soft wood and hand painted with bright enamels. I probably purchased this at a kiosk that sold fine Russian art at the Scottsdale Fashion Mall

 (L10.B999.R02.)

Haiti

This wall hanging is made from an oil drum. I love the way Haitians re-purpose so much. I love the many stars, moon, trees and large center star.

(L02.B999.R08.) 

USA, New York

Beautiful Madame Alexander dolls designed in New York. They are so sweet. I also have an angel that is not pictured. 

(L09.B86.R002.)

USA, Arizona

I found these nut crackers at the dollar store and bought 5. All of them were soldiers at the time of the purchase. To make a Nativity I scavenged parts from my craft supplies to make Mary and Joseph from two of the nutcracker soldiers, and I used a wooden peg to make the baby Jesus. I repainted Mary's face to be that of a woman. I also took away the weapons the soldiers were holding and gave the newly assigned kings gifts to hold. I think it turned out so cute. The whole thing cost me $6.00

(L10.B999.R02.)

USA, Arizona

This one was a gift from my sister Julie Campbell. It is very sweet, made from paper. "It all began with a family" is a sentiment that goes a long way! (L09.B.R.004)

Philippines

This set was made in the Philippines using a method called "whiskers." They look like little bottle brushes to me. (L09.B115.021)

Mexico

They are all my favorites, so when I say, "one of my favorites" I really mean it. This set is made from recycled metal. The baby is a spark plug. (Isn't that true!) The following is the artist's description:

"Armando Ramírez's artistic vision permits him to see a different reality in discarded automotive parts and scrap metal. Transforming them into sculptures, he creates a wonderfully original nativity scene. Mary, Joseph and the angel are fashioned of metal plate and spark plugs. Another spark plug rests in a manger of connecting rods from a car motor lined with galvanized wire. Balance beams, washers and wire become cows that kneel before the Christ child. Melchior rides a horse, both figures made from a transmission chain, wire, metal sheets, a spring and a spark plug. Riding a camel, Balthazar and his mount use a balance beam, a rocker arm, spark plug, washers, cogs and wire. Tubes, a half sphere, spark plug, balance beam, metal bits left from a die cutter and wire become Caspar and his elephant."

(L09.B66.R051) 

USA, Arizona

This is a set I made around 1985 or so. I made it after seeing one similar that was featured on the front of the Friend Magazine or another magazine. I cannot find the magazine cover on the Church's web site, so I could have gleaned this pattern from anywhere. I cut and painted all the pieces, cutting an additional set for my niece Kimberly Kline.

(L09.B54.R001)