Ok, today IS what a lot of folks call “Caturday" but we never need a certain day or an excuse to rave about our Fabulous Felines! 

We celebrate them 24-7 / 365 at Molamama but here’s why we’re so excited on this particular afternoon about this particular cat —  It’s one of our most popular, original cross-cultural mola designs and NOW available in a PRINTED pillow! 

Our new mola-inspired cats are professionally printed by Society 6. They do a great job over there with the prints on a very durable indoor/outdoor fabric... then, these Fab Felines are backed with a very substantial 7 oz black cotton canvas-type fabric and stuffed with hypoallergenic fibrefil.

Voilà! This spotted jaguar is poised and ready to find a comfy spot in your casa. Don’t worry..  when this black cat crosses your path or that of a friend, it is a guaranteed sign of good luck during the month of October and beyond! 

See more here and score one for your couch, bed or even a wall! 

molamama.etsy.com

Mola! The colorful, hand stitched fabric folk art of the Kuna ( aka Guna ) Indians of Eastern Panama.. now celebrated in gallery quality prints, indoor/outdoor throw pillows, totes, mugs, skins for laptops and iPhones y mas! Classic MolaMama designs now available on Society6. Check 'em out!

http://society6.com/molamama

March in the San Blas Territory, aka Guna Yala, Panama, is always a nice thought on a wintry day here in the states!

Kuna/Guna artisans live in simple huts, on their beautiful, remote Caribbean ‘tupus’ (islands) as you can see in these photos that I took on the island of Aritupu. 

The sun is strong, temps are warm and island life is busy. And still, our artisan friends find time to create amazing, hand stitched mola art!

Our original design, hand stitched Herbal Kuna Mola Cat "Dream Spirit" is a fun one. Call it it old-school mola making at its most charming and with no shortage of whimsy, all of which Kuna artisans are so famous for.

Colors are rich and vibrant.. the hand stitched mola applique truly is awesome!

Jet black with a burst of brilliant colors. So nicely done, using time honored mola-making techniques handed down from Kuna mother to daughter for generations.

The hand stitched embroidery is excellent, too.. in many different colors and stitches.. adding even more color and texture.

See more of this sweet and colorful character in our fabulous Molamama shop on Etsy!

https://www.etsy.com/your/shops/molamama/tools/listings/218920069?ref=vl_edit_item

¡MIRA! Take a look at this gorgeous example of traditional, old school, "sergan" ancestral mola making! Called an "Ake Bandup" or "Hook" mola, named for a specific vine that grows in Kuna/Guna Indian territory.

Bold colors make it even more striking and truly make the traditional design elements stand out!  

Simple, hand sewn chain-stitched embroidery adds color and texture to this gem of a hand-appliqued mola  --

In the Dulegaya dialect, the word "sergan" refers to the ancestors. Michael Perrin speaks to that in his excellent book, "Magnificient Molas" on pg 97 and adds.. "Sergan molas indicate a respect for tradition". How true, how true!

These traditional molas are prized and becoming quite rare! Always a treat to find one.

Our "hook" mola above is particularly beautiful. Once worn by a Kuna Indian artist.. the gifted woman who made it.. in Guna Yala, San Blas Islands, Panama.

A treasure!

Happy to offer it to you here -- molamama.etsy.com

Did someone say MOLA CATS? !

There is never a shortage of inspiration of the feline variety for hand-appliqued mola art in Kuna Indian territory -- now called “Guna Yala” --  aka the San Blas Archipelago, where our cat friends are loved and celebrated on a daily basis!

In “Dulegaya”.. the Kuna/Guna dialect, cat = “misi”.

Here’s a sweet example of a hand-stitched “misi morbipi”.. a small cat mola.. or in Spanish, a “molita gato”. However it is pronounced and in whatever language you may prefer.. this incredible textile art of the Guna is filled with heart and executed with great skill! Cats, turtles, frogs, fish..  a variety of island life is brought to life in multi-colored cotton poplin and other fabrics using mola-making applique methods passed down from mother to daughter, generation after generation. Cheers and a large thanks to all of the amazing artists! "Nuedi anai"!

A few pix of their beautiful children on the island of Aritupu.. and a little golden cat who has been forever immortalized in the art of mola!

Then there's this sweet, hand sewn Happy Heart's "misi." A Molamama original.. in rich, bold red! Check out our Etsy shop for more stuffed mola animals in a rainbow of colors and don't miss our lavender-filled "Dream Spirit" Herbal Animals at molamama.etsy.com

Nuedi Anai!

Hey.. hola.. hello friends!

April 2013 marks 21 years of working with the Kuna tribe. I have hundreds of photos taken in Kuna Yala.. the Kuna territory just off the eastern coast of Panama and the very edge of upper Colombia. Here's a favorite that I snapped on the island of Aritupu at my friend Mariella's house. I love to share this since it gives you a glimpse into daily island life.. and the gorgeous art that these highly remarkable artists create!

Molamama is all about the animals and all about creative collaboration! My work as a designer/artisan with the Kuna tribe in Kuna Yala, the San Blas islands of eastern Panama.. has helped to create an economic avenue for tribal women for the past 19 years. It is a pleasure and a privilege to work with such amazing people!

Layer by layer, stitch by tiny stitch, each mola is sewn entirely by hand using time honored mola making techniques handed down from Kuna mother to daughter for generations! All of our stuffed animals and accessories are created in this manner. All the way old school & done with much respect for what is considered a dying art. This project helps to keep the art of mola making alive.. and celebrates the natural world in which we live and all the amazing creatures who make it their habitat! (>'.'<)