Peten Wood Artisan Sculptors

Peten Wood Artisan Sculptors wood kitchen utensils

"Our project was born in 2000 as an initiative from a volunteer with Concern America looking to find a way to support people doing health promotion in the Peten region of Guatemala," explains Antonio Ramirez Felipe.

"The idea was to provide an alternative source of income for those health promoters who were doing a really good job and were freely volunteering their time. If they could craft wood items they would be able to earn enough to cover their basic expenses while volunteering their time to the project and the community.

"This initial volunteer carved spoons to pass the time away. Then he taught others how to use the different tools, gave them some designs and taught them wood carving techniques. At first there were only four volunteers training to become health promoters. They started selling the spoons and suddenly demand for their products started coming in. Then they learned to carve other kitchen cutlery pieces and began to formalize the group.

"Thanks to the support of the community and their clients, the group began to grow and grow. Nowadays there's about 11 families working with the group, all from different communities around Petén, the largest department in Guatemala. It is home to tropical forests and important archeological sites, such as Tikal.

"There is a certain amount of natural resources, but they are not available to everybody, and unfortunately many are being lost to deforestation. We purchase the wood from trusted suppliers who specialize in sustainable woods and work to preserve the environment.

"Not so long ago Petén was the least populated region but now population has rapidly increased. Many of the communities were formed during and after Guatemala's civil war by people seeking to escape the violence in their own villages, or had returned from refugee camps in Mexico.

"Given that the people in the group live in different communities, once a month they get together to deal with orders and administrative responsibilities. Many of us live in communities where there's no electricity, so all the tools we use are manual. A spoon can take up to a full day to finish.

"Most of the people in the group are also health promoters, some working in different parishes and others focusing on environmental health issues. Now they are able to contribute to the health projects with some of their earnings from the sale of their products.

"Our group works for the welfare of everyone in the project. We have certification and we follow Guatemala’s bylaws to work properly and formally. Our group offers the opportunity to get ahead, and has supported many health promoters like myself, who work voluntarily for the good of our communities. This project provides us with the essentials for our daily needs.

"Through our work and through our products, we would like to show the world that in Guatemala there are many good things and lots of creativity. There are many who like us, have a strong desire to overcome what we have been through."

Handmade: A Global Artisan Marketplace Guatemala City, Guatemala

"The idea was to provide an alternative source of income for those health promoters who were doing a really good job and were freely volunteering their time. If they could craft wood items they would be able to earn enough to cover their basic expenses while volunteering their time to the project and the community.

"This initial volunteer carved spoons to pass the time away. Then he taught others how to use the different tools, gave them some designs and taught them wood carving techniques. At first there were only four volunteers training to become health promoters. They started selling the spoons and suddenly demand for their products started coming in. Then they learned to carve other kitchen cutlery pieces and began to formalize the group.

"Thanks to the support of the community and their clients, the group began to grow and grow. Nowadays there's about 11 families working with the group, all from different communities around Petén, the largest department in Guatemala. It is home to tropical forests and important archeological sites, such as Tikal.

"There is a certain amount of natural resources, but they are not available to everybody, and unfortunately many are being lost to deforestation. We purchase the wood from trusted suppliers who specialize in sustainable woods and work to preserve the environment.

"Not so long ago Petén was the least populated region but now population has rapidly increased. Many of the communities were formed during and after Guatemala's civil war by people seeking to escape the violence in their own villages, or had returned from refugee camps in Mexico.

"Given that the people in the group live in different communities, once a month they get together to deal with orders and administrative responsibilities. Many of us live in communities where there's no electricity, so all the tools we use are manual. A spoon can take up to a full day to finish.

"Most of the people in the group are also health promoters, some working in different parishes and others focusing on environmental health issues. Now they are able to contribute to the health projects with some of their earnings from the sale of their products.

"Our group works for the welfare of everyone in the project. We have certification and we follow Guatemala’s bylaws to work properly and formally. Our group offers the opportunity to get ahead, and has supported many health promoters like myself, who work voluntarily for the good of our communities. This project provides us with the essentials for our daily needs.

"Through our work and through our products, we would like to show the world that in Guatemala there are many good things and lots of creativity. There are many who like us, have a strong desire to overcome what we have been through."

Central America Artisan Empowerment Hub

Explore Central America. Rich rainforests and active volcanoes shelter the vestiges of the Mayan civilization that lives on in the languages and the arts of Central America. You'll discover the weaving traditions recorded on the backstrap looms, the glyphs and geometry that define the jewelry and pottery, and the vibrantly-painted folk art statues and masks among all the unique, handcrafted artisan treasures in our Central America Collection.

Learn More

Maker BadgeMicrocredit Financing

Peten Wood Artisan Sculptors has received a $200 microcredit loan with 0% interest.

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Alternate image for Unique Wood Serving Utensils Pair Maya Cuisine

$39.99

Item Detail

Unique Wood Serving Utensils Pair 'Maya Cuisine'

$39.99

(3)

Comments

Jeanne I love the shape and feel of these salad servers. The wood is beautiful.

2 more comments

Alternate image for Collectible Wood Serving Utensil Kitchen Accessory Pair Guatemalan Fry Up

$49.99

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Collectible Wood Serving Utensil Kitchen Accessory Pair 'Guatemalan Fry Up'

$49.99

(2)

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Marcia These spatulas were a gift to a very special friend who loves to cook. She loved them!

1 more comment

Alternate image for Hand Carved Guatemalan Wood Serving Spoons Pair Heart of Maya

$59.99

Item Detail

Hand Carved Guatemalan Wood Serving Spoons Pair 'Heart of Maya'

$59.99

(3)

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Aex bought as an anniversary gift - recipient hung them on the wall instead of using them for food

2 more comments

19 Reviews for

January 24, 2023

E Ej

I've been using these a couple years now and they are by far my favorite kitchen utensils. I was worried they wouldn't hold up over time, especially since I put them in the dishwasher, but they are very rugged, while being non-scratch unlike metal, and also not wasteful plastic!

Reviewed item

November 10, 2022

J Jessey

Love love love anything made from jobillo wood. The quality is amazing

Reviewed item

August 13, 2022

J Jeanne

I love the shape and feel of these salad servers. The wood is beautiful.

Reviewed item

May 15, 2022

L Linda

This piece is for our church pianist. Our church is a Spanish language church with many people from Central America and the Caribbean. This gift, from a Latino artist, will mean so much! A personal touch!

Reviewed item

September 4, 2021

H Hande

I love this spoon so much that I bought it twice and might buy more in the future. Unlike other wooden spoons, they are big and deep and serve almost as ladles. I completely recommend them. The artisanship is also amazing.

Reviewed item

August 27, 2021

D Danielle

Wooden spoons are my favorite to cook with, and these are really well made, as well as attractive. Highly recommend.

Reviewed item

June 8, 2021

T Tina

Tall, slender and good stirring spoons. And I love the color.

Reviewed item

May 28, 2021

F Floyd

This scoop is sturdy and unique. Happy with the purchase.

Reviewed item

May 1, 2021

R Robin

Handmade and fun to use.

Reviewed item

February 22, 2021

D Dorothy

These spoons surpassed my expectations. They are beautiful: the shapes are lovely, the feel of the wood is beyond belief smooth, the fit on my hand is amazing. these spoons are works of art. The grain and colors of the wood are very apparent and pleasing. I would definitely buy them again and recommend them to friends and family. Super high quality.

Reviewed item

November 3, 2020

N Nicole

I wanted to get away from aluinum ice cream scoops. This one is gorgeous and well balanced in the hand. The scoop is a bit wider than a typical aluminum scoop, but you can still get a nice ball of ice cream with it, and you can use it in a spade-like fashion, like the professionals in an ice-cream shop do when the scrape and form a ball.

Reviewed item

May 1, 2020

A Aex

bought as an anniversary gift - recipient hung them on the wall instead of using them for food

Reviewed item

April 28, 2020

M Melissa

Love these!!

Reviewed item

February 5, 2020

T Theresa

These salad serving utensils are perfect! I don't care for big ones and these are just right in my salad bowl and in my hands. The wood is even more beautiful in person than the pictures. We love the different grains running through the utensils. Thank you to Peten Wood for handcrafted these!! My husband and I love them!! BTW: it has taken me 40 years to find the perfect salad serving utensils. ... read more

Reviewed item

June 12, 2019

M Marcia

These spatulas were a gift to a very special friend who loves to cook. She loved them!

Reviewed item

February 21, 2019

K Kathleen

Very beautiful wood! I can't wait to use this spoon next time I make stew or soup. Great dipping spoon. Thanks!

Reviewed item

July 30, 2018

J James

Got these for my Sister and Loves them. Perfect Finish Work on these utensils, Plus their Name is after my Golden Retriever "MAYA"

Reviewed item

July 30, 2018

P Peggy

Hearts of Maya wood spoons are just beautiful. I'd never seen a set of wooden spoons so beautiful. They are so unique. I'm glad to have such a pretty and useful item in my kitchen.

Reviewed item

December 22, 2017

T Thomas

I've had these Guatemalen Fry Up utensils for a couple of years now and I seem to use them all the time. They come in very handy for things that you may not think about, like getting all the stuff out of cans, browning onions, stirring sauce, cooking eggs, etc. They are beautifully made and unusual. I'm very happy that I purchased them.

Reviewed item

February 5, 2020

T Theresa

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Peten Wood Artisan Sculptors

Peten Wood Artisan Sculptors

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