Mola Art and Craft       Handmade Art Works Mola San Blas Panama Mola is a fabric panel worked in several layers using the technique of "reverse applique or applique", the top layer is cut away to reveal layers underneath, however the bottom layer is not cut, it becomes the background color and support the stitching of the other layers, molas are colorful, intricate, reverse embroidery, needle work with geometric or local animal designs. They are hand sewn only by the Kuna Indians of San Blas, Panama. The mola art originated from body paint back in the 1800's. We normally refer to the Kunas as the "Indians" of San Blas, but they prefer to be called "Aboriginals". The most important source of income for the Kuna's is the sale of molas and the women's are responsible for the family income. Mola is the most sophisticated handmade textile art within Latin America. 
 
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Mola Gallery Handmade Quilt Art Works Applique Fabric Art Latin America Textiles San Blas Panama by Rita Smith

 

"Molas:  The complex, Indigenous Art of the Kuna Indians of San Blas"

 

We proudly present a collection of gift ideas guaranteed to delight and dazzle your love one this Holiday Season!

On these Holidays give your love one something unique and special, give the gift of unique mola.

 

Welcome!

Mola Art and Craft was begun by Rita Smith in 2005 to bring you superb high-quality molas.  Our business keep growing because of our customers.

These beautiful reverse applique fabric panels are used by many quilters and crafters all over the world.

Let us help you to create a unique and different project using molas.

The items in our gallery are not available in stores or online, also you may see an item available today, but may not be here tomorrow, because they sell fast.  Very few people in the USA know about this exquisite indian art and the traditions of the Kuna people.  Inquire about other molitas available in different themes and colors.

Once you have discover my site, I recommend you to add the link to your favorites, so next time when you want to visit us, you will have the information save on your computer.

I know that sometimes it is difficult to find a website that sells art and trust right away, without having more information and enough confidence.  Here is how you can buy with confidence from us:  the first thing you should know is that we are part of Artspan.com the largest website for artist, over 2,200 artist and that Artspan is also top ranked #1 in Google.  You can go to www.artspan.com and then go to art and artist data base (this is right in the left side toward the middle of the main page), then you will see a box under search artwork, type mola and click on the arrow beside, that should bring up many of my mola items.  Besides this option you can also go to directories where it says all members listed click there and search my name under directory according to the letter of my last name "S" (my name will appear on the page #6).

We offer a free shipping on all our products within the United States, unfortunately we are not able to bargain prices on the items, we have priced all items according to the quality and I am also offering you a total free shipping, keep in mind that every mola you buy will make a big change on the lives of the kuna mola makers, the Kunas deserve to be paid well for all the effort and work that they put into each piece of art, they spend day and night sewing and that's  exactly what we do... paying them well will insured that they will have enough money to solve their needs and their communities can prosper, also one of my best Kuna friends has been working with communities to support their childrens in need and we donate at the end of each year school supplies to support many of the kids, when I travel to Panama I buy all school supplies in the city and then is taken to them, otherwise my mon or sister will make the arrangements to deliver the supplies.   The Kunas don't have much, but they are thankful for what they have. 

International Customers please request an invoice from me in order to add the shipping cost, according to your country o location, we only charge for the exact shipping, we do not charge for the handling of the package, just e-mail me with the items you will like to buy and I will e-mail you an invoice.

If you are in the art gallery click on any of the pictures according to the category to view all the  molas in that specific category. Once there, you will be able to view the slideshow on each category, look to the right of each picture there is drop down arrow click there, it will display a complete list of the categories and remember you have the control arrows below each picture use these to control the slideshow (forward, backward, the midle one will stop the picture), you will be able to see a larger picture, as well as the detail on the stitching on each mola.  Don't forget to check out my Ebay link (look to the right of Gallery after About US, you will see EBAY click there this will take you to the title My Ebay Store click that title once) you can also type in your compute browser http://stores.ebay.com/molaspanama

 

If you received the American Quilters Magazine from AQS be sure and check out my add on page 89 or 92 of the Designer Showcase Issues January Through May 2008.

You are invited to explore my website it contains complete information about me & the molas.   I am sure you will find something you will love to treasure for the years to come.  Remember each Mola is unique, different, ingenious and attractive. The beauty of a mola is in the eyes of the beholder.

I guarantee each mola on my gallery to be superb quality and authentic.  I carefully choose the best handmade molas for my website.  Every item we sell is 100% Guaranteed.  You will also find shopping easy and safe with Paypal.  Our aim is to provide outstanding customer service, so buy with confidence.

Many people think that well molas are a thing of the past and that older molas are better that the ones today but that is not true.  The molas today are becoming more complex and detail than ever.The Kunas are selecting brighter colors, more details, more embroidery, overall they are an exceptionally creative piece of high quality artwork.

Molas are a Native Indian Art, an elegant piece of Textile Art (Fiber Art), each piece depict a different theme and are priced according to the quality of the work, the larger molas worth more money becuse of the intricate work, fine design, the number of layers use on each mola and the time that the Kuna spent to complete each mola.  They are collectibles and the value increase through the years.  Once you buy a mola you will come back for more.   

Molas are a great motivation for a lesson on folk art.  Be sure to delight your students with beautiful molas.  Each mola is perfect for your classroom.  They exemplify hours of skillful needlework.  Teachers:  When you buy a mola you will receive information on how molas are made and small pattern to teach your students how to make a paper molita, e-mail requesting the mola pattern.  Add a mola to your craft projects or quilting projects.
Molas can be fashioned into many different and unique gifts like t-shirts, vests, jackets, blouses, jeans, jean skirt, purses, hand bags, tote bags, women's shoes, neck tie and more. You can also put your mola in a frame or make a pillow or delightful wallhanging, a placemat, pot holders, chair covers, etc., just use your imagination.

If you are hosting an special event and would like to order quantity of any items for gift please e-mail me or contact me directly.  We have a large selection of molas and mola items, so please feel free to contact me with your questions. 

The residents of Kuna Yala, SanBlas (Kuna Indians) are the most truly Native American (in the sense that they have retained their original lands), their traditions and their culture.  The Kunas look similar from Island to Island, however each village is unique.

Our top goal is to enable the Kuna indians and their communities to prosper, we value their work and put the Kunas before profit, we buy directly from the Kuna artisans to make sure that they receive the benefits, that way they will have enough money to solve their economic needs, to continue to provide collectors and all customers with this Exquisite and fine Textile Art from San Blas Kuna Yala, Panama.  The sale of molas is one of the most important source of income for the Kuna's.

Copy Right Law

All content in this website, images, text, logos, audio clips, icon buttons, digital downloads, data are property of Mola Art and Craft or its content suppliers and protected by US International Copy Right Laws.

All information, pictures and content are property of Mola Art and Craft and can not be copy, transfer or sold in any way without prior written authorization.

At any time the information can be use only by schools or teachers for education porposes.



 
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