Temptations Silver and Handicrafts

Handicrafts, Silver Jewelry, T-shirts, Applique Dresses

Colombia is a country roughly the size of the combined states of New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, and Utah; or the size of the province of Ontario, Canada. From snow-covered peaks of 19,000 feet (6000 meters) to teeming equatorial jungles; from deserts to highland spring-like paradises, Colombia is richly diverse. It has an exotic mix of cultures and traditions, including over 40 different tribal languages, African influences, the daring of conquests and buccaneers; as well as the recent impact of European, middle eastern and Asian immigration.

Handcrafts in Colombia reflect this diversity of materials and artistic heritage. Woolen weavings, palm fiber hammocks, wood carving, gum appliques, ceramic art, clay and macramé shawls, are just a few examples of the handcrafts available in this South American nation.

Cartagena served as a storehouse of New World treasure for the Spanish for several hundred years, with gold and emeralds serving as the best-known products carried along the Spanish Main. Silver and semi-precious stones from all over the continent formed a lesser but important part of the treasure-trove in Cartagena. From this, came a tradition of jewelry-making in silver and brisk trade in semi-precious stones which continues to this day. Semi-precious, by its very name, connotes a more economical value for the average pocket, and silver is enjoying a fashion comeback all over the world.

With its rich climatic and geographical mix, Colombia is a veritable cornucopia of agricultural products. The potato, which is native to the high Andes, spread throughout the world, but coffee, which is grown at the more temperate middle elevations, has made Colombia world famous. In the lowlands, bananas, sugarcane, and rice are grown in fertile river valleys. One of the products of Colombia that is not generally known in the world is cotton. Much of the cotton grown in Colombia is of long fiber varieties that must be hand-picked. Abundant local labor allows the planters a very high quality cotton that is used in a vigorous textile and spinning industry. T-shirts and applique dresses, skirts and vests for all ages, in lush tropical colors, are the beautiful results of this agricultural bounty.

Handcrafts, silver jewelry, clothes, hammocks, T-shirts and children’s appliqued dresses, skirts, and vests are all part of the unlimited temptations at Temptations Unltd., on the upstairs plaza of the Pierino Gallo Shopping Center, Come in and browse in air-conditioned comfort. No hawkers, no hassle; it’s cool, and you need not bargain to get the best price!