Nature’s Canvas

Before an artist begins, nature has already shaped the piece.

Every mate burilado, or carved gourd, begins as the fruit of the bottle gourd, Lagenaria siceraria, a climbing plant in the same family as pumpkins, squash, and cucumbers.

Surprisingly, wild bottle gourds, which are native to Africa, may have crossed the Atlantic by floating on ocean currents. Archaeological evidence shows they were present in the Americas nearly 11,000 years ago, making them one of the earliest plants used by people in the region.

As the fruit matures and dries, its shell becomes hard, lightweight, and durable, qualities that made gourds useful as vessels, bottles, floats, musical instruments, and eventually as surfaces for artistic expression.

Shaped by nature, no two gourds are ever alike. Each becomes a natural three dimensional canvas, ready to showcase the artist’s creativity and be transformed through carving and burning into something truly unique.

Why Fair Trade Matters

For our team at Lucuma Designs, Fair Trade is more than a business model. It's a way of life that guides our daily decisions and inspires us to keep learning and evolving.

It lives in the relationships we've built over many years with the artist partners we know personally. Together, we've grown through trust and a shared commitment to building sustainable livelihoods and a better future for their families and communities.

Fair Trade is about much more than creating jobs. Through creative collaboration and by encouraging our artist partners to continually refine their craft and excel at what they do, we've built handmade collections our clients have come to trust year after year.

Ultimately, Fair Trade reminds us that business can be a force for good when it's guided by shared values and meaningful connections.

Lucuma Designs has been a proud member of the Fair Trade Federation since 1999.