Feedback
This Website is dedicated to all Kuna Childrens of San Blas, Kuna Yala-Panama.
I am so grateful to all my customers that I have met in life and online who have supported my site through these years. It is a great experience and journey to be on, to all of you that make the mola sale possible and for opening that door of opportunities for the people that I love "the Kunas". Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart and I hope you enjoy being on this journey with me.
"The sale of molas is a major source of income for the Kuna Women's of San Blas."
Feedbacks and Reviews:
Being a member of Artspan, home to 3,000 artist, artisans, the largest online website, you can be 100% confident that you can trust in our products and services, including our feedbacks.
You can also verified us by typing my name on the art or artist data base, go to search artwork box.
Here are some testimonials from my customers about my service and the quality of the Kuna Mola Art.
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Rita is a great person to work with. Her knowledge of Molas and Molitas exceeds all other mola salespersons I have delt with. She is efficient and trustworthy. I value her opinion and judgement on all items I work with that concern molas and molitas.
Rita has a wonderful variety of mola/molita made articles. Her prices are fair . Her knowledge and appreciation of the Kuna Indians surpasses what is commonly written.
Rita is a jewel to know and work with."
Mary K., FL.
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Hi Rita, Many thanks for your lovely molas, and the frog purse, I just love them, I have 24 molas now so should have enough to make a quilt, I am not sure how I am going to go about it yet, I am thinking about a few different ways. Many thanks for your kind help over the last 2 years I have been buying them, I will email you a photo when I complete the quilt. Many thanks once again . G. Barber, Tasmania, Australia
Hi Rita, Could I please order 1 set of (4) quilting molas I really like No.09, also could I please have as the free gift for August. mola frog cosmetic bag no.197. If you would be good enough to email me with the cost of $24.00 plus postage to Australia, Have a good weekend, you are doing a great job. Many thanks for your great molitas, I love them. G. Barber
Hi Rita, Many thanks for the lovely mola's, I just love them, I now have 16 squares so I will only need a few more to make a quilt,I am looking forward to making them up as the work is just lovely on them it is a credit to them, The sewing and colours are just beautiful. Many thanks until I purchase the next lot. Cheers G. Barber, Tasmania, Australia
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Hi Rita,
I just wanted to thank you, again, for all of your help. My fourth graders' lesson was enhanced because of the "thank you" note you wrote to me (for having purchased a mola) and your explanation of how the money helped Kuna Indian women support their families. Thank you also for getting their questions answered by the Kuna.
We enjoyed our trip so much, but the highlight was shopping for molas and speaking with different Kuna Indians. I only got to do this at the usual market places in Panama City, but enjoyed myself nonetheless.
Here are the pictures I took of different Kuna women. I am only sorry that I did not ask to take a picture of a beautiful young woman and her baby, near the French Embassy. I read in my Panama travel book that I should ask their permission and offer a dollar before I took a picture, so I did that except for the rain scene. The joyful abandon in the scene where they are dancing in the rain surprised and delighted me, as they were so serious at other times! This was just next to our ship at the port.
I definitely want to make a special trip back to visit the San Blas Islands. I'm impressed, also, that the Kuna are the only indigenous people who fought for and won their independence in Panama.
Can you recommend any history books of historical novels about Panama (in English)?
Shannon
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Hi Rita,
The Mola items arrived today, and they are wonderful!!!! Thanks very much for the photo and the Thank You card and note - it's so nice to be supporting other women! I'm going to take the items for "Show and Tell" at our next quilt guild meeting later this month - a guest speaker we had two months ago had been to a workshop, I believe somewhere in the US, to learn the technique and we were all very impressed. That's what inspired me to check out your website and I will certainly pass it on to the members. Hopefully others will buy some of the beautiful items you have that are made by the Kunas - the details and fine stitching are amazing!
Cheers and good luck with your endeavors,
Bev
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The Spider mola is fantastic! I will make a quilted Halloween wall hanging with it as a focal point. Thanks for including the pictures of the women who made the molas. Their pics will be part of my label.
Sincerely,
Mary-Anne
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Hi Rita:
The cat shirt arrived today, and I like it a lot. The workmanship is excellent. Thanks for holding it for me.
Send me some more pictures when you new orders arrive.
Shirley C., Florida
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Hi Rita:
The package arrived today. Thank you for the bags and pot holders. Every thing is fine. When you have a chance, look at my new web site -- Mr. Mcmillan
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Rita:
Thank you for the 2 mola panels that arrived today. I LOVE them!! Thank you also for your kind note. As you can tell from my website, the colors and the happiness of molas definitely have been influencing my art..
I look forward to checking your website after your trip to Panama, so I can add to my modest collection of mola panels
Safe travels!! Sincerely,
Karen
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Rita:
Thank you for having such a wonderful store. I was in Costa Rica recently and had wanted a Mola for many years. I found out that they came from Panama and I was thrilled to find your web site. I really believe in supporting the native people who have done the crafts for many years. I am happy to see that they are important to you. The mola with all the fish was the best one I have ever seen. I usually try to buy directly from the crafts people but your store deals directly with them so that works too.
I plan to order some molitas in the near future and see if I can make some pillows or wall hangings with them.
Again I am really looking forward to receiving my order.
Edith & Jerrold Curry
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Rita,
It certainly didn't take long for me to shop again !!!
I purchased 5 more Molas.
I love them !
Thank you.
Susan
P.S. Love your entire collection of molas :-)
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Rita,
Does the other Mola in the pair with Bird Mola #271 (photo #) have a similar design?
If so, I would purchase both. Thank you so much. They are so irresistable and
exquisite.
Susan V.
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Hi Rita,
The package arrived today. Thank you for the bags and pot holders. Every thing is fine. When you have a chance, look at my new web site --
Mr. Mcmillan
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Rita,
I was sooooooo excited to receive the Molas yesterday. I love them all !
They are stunning! I have loved Molas and desired to purchase since
about 1979 !!! I will cherish these Molas !
Thank you also for the book. I read it last night after the Olympics!
I will definitely show the Molas to my friends and hand out your
business cards.
Some day I would love to visit Panama.
Thank you very much.
Susan V.
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Hi Rita: just wanted to let you know that the package arrived safe and sound. love the ties.
thanks, janet :)
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Good Morning!
I wanted to write and let you know that I am the recipient of the "Inside the Apple" mola my son purchased from you last week.
I love it!!
It is my third mola. The other two I own are vintage ones. I am in awe of the craftmanship and the wonderful combination of colors.
I requested this one for my birthday which was yesterday. He sent it to arrive on time and I was able to open it while talking to him on the phone.
He told me about the others you have and the shop where you sell them. Also your quilted items made from molas.
Hopefully the next time we visit him in Dayton, we can stop by.
I really appreciate this textile art!
Sincerely,
D.S.
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Dear Rita: I was happy to discover your website. The molas you offer here are beautiful. You can reach me via e-mail, or my phone number and we live in Schenectady in upstate New York. We are planning to visit relatives in southern Illinois this summer. May be we could stop in and visit your shop in Ohio?
Looking forward to hearing from you...Rudy
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Hi Rita,
Thanks again for the great service, I sent the mola to my Mom today and I'm sure she will love it. I'll let her know you'd appreciate her feedback on it as well.
regards,
Thomas S.
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Thanks Rita,
I would like all 3 in the middle row, which are the blue animal with
tail, the red hummingbird with blue background, and the green bird with black background.
How can I pay you with paypal for these?
Also, I received my other items yesterday, and love them. The book is very nice and informative. Both my husband and me are enjoying it.
Thankyou.
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Thanks Rita,
I would like all 3 in the middle row, which are the blue animal with
tail, the red hummingbird with blue background, and the green bird with black background.
How can I pay you with paypal for these?
Also, I received my other items yesterday, and love them. The book is very nice and informative. Both my husband and me are enjoying it.
Thank you.
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Dear Rita,
the beautiful Molas arrived today! they are wonderful. Thank you, also, for including the lovely book on the San Blas Islands. My son was recently there on his travels. His is a musician on one of the large cruise ships.
Thank You
Sally
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Hi Rita:
Thank you for your email. Your tee shirt is gorgeous and I'd like mine to look just like that. I'd even like it on the same color.
Thank you for all your help. You are an angel.
Ann
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Hi Rita,
Your website is very interesting! We have 2 molas that my parents purchased on a trip to Panama at least 40 years ago. We live in Wisconsin, but have a son and family in Columbus and could get to you on a visit.
Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Christy
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Hello again, Rita,
I apologize for not getting back to you sooner. I would like to have a t shirt, in white pink coral, with three-quarter or elbow-length sleeves with hummingbirds on it.
I love the way you have designed your website. It's so easy to move around.
I look forward to hearing from you.
I hope, too, that your new year is going well.
Ann
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Hello, Rita
I am very pleased by the molitas I purchased from you. They are stunning and will be a great addition. I hope, too, that your new year is going well. to my mother's collection. She was in Panama last year and fell in love with them.
Thanks again for getting them out in the mail to me in time for Christmas. I couldn't have asked for any better service or better art-work.
Respectfully,
Reid Pappas
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Thank you Rita... your website is on my favorites now and will be included for future gift giving occasions (as well as for "just because" times too).
We got hooked on molas while in Santa Fe years ago... there was an amazing store there that worked directly with the Kunas, but alas, they are no longer there and I hadn't tried looking online until I just found your site. I'm thrilled to have another high quality source who also values the Kuna culture.
Happy Holidays also and hoping for a prosperous 2010...
Best,
~S
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Hi Rita...
The molas are lovely; I own 11 molas museum quality pieces already and these are unique! I'm giving one as a gift (my original intent when finding you on the web; saw the 2 hummingbird patterns in different colors and decided I need one too!).
I hope the Kunas will be encouraged to keep producing the high end molas as an art form... so important!
Happy Holidays...
Susan E.
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Hi Rita,
I received a box today with the most beautiful things.. I love each and every one. I believe the only things missing are the aprons and t shirt. Any idea when they might come or if you even have them yet.
The nativity set is lovely, just lovely. I love the little patch. I hope to do a pin cusion tomorrow with it. Course dont know if i will ever stick pins in it....:o)
I am so over whelmed with the worksmanship of the ladies....so good. My friend, who will get the nativity was here today and we did a quilt for her and we looked at the molas I have hanging and she went on and on about all the good work they do. she will be so surprised. I will put your cards in every gift.
Yes, I love the purple flower..very different. I love each and every one. The lobster is special I think. Just mail the aprons and shirt when ever you get them. They are staying local so no problem.
I hope your weather is better. we're having some rain and cooler weather but its going back up to 80 by next week...Not real Christmas weather.
Mary Kay
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Hi Rita:
Thanks again for taking the time to meet with us so I could see the shirts. I'm so pleased to be able to buy these shirts in the States.
Shirley Carnes, FL
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Hi Rita:
I got my order today and the molas are spectacular! Thank you. I will share your info with my group and will bring the molas for them to see in person.
Sue
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Hi: Rita
Your package arrived in a very timely way. Everything was well packed, and we love the products.
Bob Mcmillan, New York
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Hi Rita:
I got everything today and I am delighted... beautiful molitas
Also, do you have my wish list I sent before? I cant remember what i wanted but if you do please tell me so I can re-evaluate it for changes. ALSO would you send me the apron designs you have. I may have to go that route. When we have all this strightened out I will also be adding some flowers and a few other animals for my quilt. (I have the numbers). I have layed my molita out and have mostly birds so i thought I should just add a few other things..flowers, fish, animals, etc..I will let you know. Do you have most of these articles at your offic? Lucky you if you do.
I hope this one gets thru to you.
Mary...the mola addict in Florida...love them all
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Rita: The aprons just came and they are just great. Many thanks for my extra molita/change purse. You are always so nice. I remain your most enthusiastic customer.
Sallie, AZ
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Rita....I rec'd the package today (11/4) and I am that anxious to start putting my quilt together. I will send you a picture of it when it's finished. The molita's are just what I wanted and will fit in nicely..again, thank you for your help. Happy Holidays to you also....Brenda
11/04/09
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I was very pleased with the molas I received and the service provided by Rita.
S. Hawkins 11/4/2009
Package arrived! Molas look great. Thanks
S. Hawkins, TX
10/2009
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Hi: Rita
The mola arrived last Friday. It is beautiful. I am very pleased with the reverse applique of the mola is superb and your service was superb. Thank you.
I know my daughter will be excited to get it.
Blessings,
Jean Bauer
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Hi Rita
Came across the amazing work on your site when doing some research into molas.
I've often thought of my coats as body tatoos you can take off.
Just wanted to share this with you.
Best
John J., UK
PS it would be great to spend some time with the Kuna women their work is incredible.
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Hi: Rita
I received the molas and they are exquisite. The stitches are so tiny and the colors are so bright and gay. I love them. These are not cut through the fabric. Is there a difference in the way molas are made? Sorry, but I'm a new at molas and would like to know all about them. I'm so glad to be helping the Kuna Indians. I will be ordering again in the future. Thank you so much for bringing this lovely handmade textile to my attention.
Sincerely, Marianne
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Dear Rita,
I just got the lovely parcel of goodies. They are so beautiful. Did you send an extra one? If so, I really appreciate it! That means I can keep one for myself! My mother in England has been talking about molas for ages and asking me to get them. I know she will be thrilled. They are so unusual and so intricate. I am really thrilled with them.
I know my mother will be sharing them with all her friends. I really appreciate all your efforts. It was a wonderful surprise. Are you from Panama yourself?
Thanks again,
Sincerely,
Bonnie
10/09
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Re: Molas
Many thanks. I'm excited to be getting this and I know my daughter will be thrilled.
Jean B.
10/09
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Hi Rita:
Thank you so very much! My mother is from Panama and I had a pollera doll when I was a child. I know this will mean so much to her, thank you for offering such beautiful work!
Eli J., CA
10/09
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Hi Rita:
Thank you...you are so sweet. I live in North Carolina, and my granddaughter lives in Los Angeles...so I can not see her very often. I am going for her first birthday celebration...and now I will have this beautiful gift to give her. Her name is Alana Teyha :) Thank you again Rita. I will buy more things from you...the work is just too beautiful. Thank YOU! blessings~Patty
10/09
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Hi Rita
Wow and Wow again. I got everything today and I am delighted. I have looked thru them over and over. They are beautiful. And the big fish...he will be framed i think..along with my other squid, bird and mirror vultures. The shirts are wonderful and i showed them to a friend, who is slightly bigger so mine didnt fit her... but I will go to your site and order her a bigger one if you have them.
I cant thank you enough for having such a wondeful assorment of molas.
Thanks for all your care
Mary Kay, FL
10/04/09
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Thanks very much. On my initial try I apparently simply did not browse far enough when I first looked at your site so I didn't see the shirts. The items on your site are beautiful and I have ordered two shirts.
Thank you Rita !!!
Cordially,
Bill Williams
10/03/09
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I look forward to making my granddaughter's quilt with the beautiful art work of your people.
much love,
Patricia
Hi Rita :) The Molitas arrived today...they are BEAUTIFUL! Thank you so much for the extra 3...that was SO sweet of you! I will begin the quilt next week :) Have a large kitchen table to lay the design out on...which will work great. And when the women in my family see the quilt, they will be so pleased! and all get your card as well. Will send you a photo, if you want,when it's all completed. It has been wonderful to meet you Rita...I wish you the best of luck.
Best wishes,
Patricia
9/26/09
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Hi Rita,
I received the T shirt today, it is beautifil, thank you so much for everything.
I will continue to watch to see what you have.
Thank you,
Mary, Sarasota, FL
9/18/09
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Hi Rita,
Thank you for the nice note you sent with the mola and book. I love the mola, and the book seems filled with good information. I will be anxious to study it when I have the time.
Thanks again,
Angie
9/03/09
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Hi Rita: I received my horses molas and they are both so beautiful. Thank you for sending them.
Judy, Arizona
5/28/09
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Rita: I am sending along pictures of the project that I finished up with the newest molitas. It is my laundry room and I just love it. Thanks so much for the swift order along with the extra molita. I adore each one!
Sallie, AZ
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Hi Rita:
Your package arrived in a very timely way. Everything was well packed, and we love the products.
B. Mcmillan
New York
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Hi Rita,
I did receive the potholders and they were very cute!
Hope you have a nice Memorial Day Weekend.
Susan
5/22/09
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Hi Rita,
Your floral molitas & molas are truly the best!
Thank you soo much for your patience & for holding the molitas for me!
Thank you again,
Liliana
Hi Rita,
I checked my mail today & I have received the yellow flower! It's much prettier in person. Thank you soo much for everything. Your molas are always more beautiful in person.I've been getting updates for your new items on Art Span & I can't wait to see your new molas! Thank you for
getting red flowers with the pink center.
Liliana
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Thank you so much for the lovely photos, Rita!
They make me homesick, and I want to go back there so badly!
I think that Panama is the most beautiful country on the face of this Earth!
P.S. You are quite pretty as well, if you don't mind me saying so!...
---ALSO---I'll get back in touch with you soon about buying another Mola, ok?
...Thanks again...
Paul
Dear Rita,
I LOVE my new Molas!!!
I have framed both of them (the Tapirs & the "Frogs"), and they are exquisite, literally
"eye-candy"...My sister was SO jealous...she also asked for your address after seeing what I had ordered from you.
She had previously purchased a mola, but it wasn't NEARLY as beautiful as the ones I had purchased from you!
She also said that she paid a LOT more moneyu on hers than I did from you (she didn't mention exactly how much she had actually paid, except that she paid A LOT more than I did...
So I gave her your artspan address as well as your e-mail address, so by now she might well have ordered something from you, or will soon...
I was just wanting to know if you had any more Molas of the type that I purchased from you the first time (frogs, tapirs, etc.),
...As you surely know by now, I really only like the "old-school" type of mola design, you know, like the old "traditional" types of mola-making that was done in the late sixties and early seventies (when I was 10 year old kid in Panama)...so, if you have anything like those in stock, could you please e-mail me some photographs of them?
I believe that you and I have the same sort of tastes when it comes to our "favorite" kinds of Mola making, so just send me the kinds of work that you yourself consider to be "superior" works of art...
...Anyway, I want to thank you for being such a good friend and reputible business-woman!
Sincerely, Paul J. Doke
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My mother called me Wed night to say she received the Molas. She wanted 2 small ones to complete a wall which already had several framed molas on it. They were perfect and she was happy with her birthday present.
Thanks!
Nancy
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Miss Rita: I have just received my shipment of molas, poller doll and pot holder. I love them. Thank you for shipping so fast, and adding the small mola and the card with Christmas wishes. I have just placed another order today. If you have the pollera doll with braids please add it to my order. I order another dolls my first one has red decor on it, so can you make the second one another color? Thank you. Francoise
12/15/08
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Hi, Rita: Today is Saturday and I got your shipment. I held up the small t-shirt to me and I think it will fit just fine. Its beautiful and the red and pink molitas are gorgeous!!!! I love those colors. Everything is fine and everything looks wonderful.. Thank you for sending those. Hopefully, I will be ordering more later.
Thank you. Pam Barrymore
11/01/08
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Hi, Rita: I got your package yesterday. The molas are just like they appear on your web site. They are all beautiful, especially the t-shirts. The eyeglass cases and the coin purses all look great. Thank you . I am looking forward to receiving the medium t-shirt in turquoise. Everything looks great.
Thanks again.
Pam Barrymore
10/01/08
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Dear Ms Smith
Thank you for your note regarding the mola I ordered from your web site. The hummingbird mola you selected is just fine. I have already had it sewn onto my denim jacket for my upcoming trip to Mexico. We have only just gotten power to our home and office as a result of Hurricane Ike. Sorry for the delay in responding.
Thank you again
Kathy Adams
09/26/08
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Hello!
I am just writing a note to let people know about the wonderfull service I have received from RITA SMITH and her beautifull molas. The workmanship is incredible and I love looking up her website and seeing all the pretty things that she displays.What I like the most about her service is the friendliness and care that she displays in the order and when the merchandise arrives she includes her card and a Thank you note. That is really unusual in this day and age. I feel that we have become friends thru the molas and will continue to order from her in the future.
Thank you Rita,
Ada
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Hi Rita
I am very happy with your molas work
many thanks,
Stella
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Dolores Puchi: Dear Rita, My wonderful Virgin Mary mola arrived on Wednesday. And thank you for all your enclosures. I have been looking for such a Quadalupe for a few years. I have one other but it does not compare in any way to this one. I noted the stars on her cloak which I have not seen appliqued before on other molas. I think that the Kuna are maybe not yet as devoted to her as the people in Mexico and the southwest USA. The Panama Indians are called Kuna or Cuna? Is a C or a K correct or both? Have to end now to continue planting some spring flowers. It has been in the 70's here in northern Arizona but we're expecting some cold to come back. I hope you got thru all that terrible cold and snow that hit you last week.
Thanks again,Dolores
3/14/08
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Hello,
I just receive the mola today. It is really beautiful and I'm very happy. Thank you so much !
I saw on your website a bigger mola named "Fish Crab Sea Life Mola San Blas Panama". Do you often have that kind of mola? How much does it cost?
I was wondering, who is the woman on the picture, is it you?
Bye,
Catherine
First, I want to thank Artspan for the opportunity to be able to display elegantly the magnificient Art of the Kuna people and making it possible for me to offer you each piece.
Each artist website is an independent site with its own web address. At the same time, each site is part of the larger Artspan.com which provides its visitors many ways to find my website including searches, directories and genre portals. Artspan is also top-ranked by search engines (#1 in Google).
This is how you can be 100% confident in doing business with us and knowing that our web gallery offers only "Superb quality" handmade molas.
The most important source of income for the Kuna's is the sale of molas, through the sale of molas the wome's solve all their economic needs: education for their children's, medical, food, clothes, etc.
"Every mola you buy from us will make a big change in the lives of the Kuna mola makers and their communities".
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