Papier-Mache Birds from Viva Terra

Maybe we've been unduly influenced by the label "lovebird" but we do have a little crush on these papier-mache birdies, which are larger than they appear in the photo. We'd love to clump a whole slew of these recycled content cuties together on a shelf...

Granted, our clump of birds fantasy probably won't be actualized (at least not with these guys) since each bird is $49.00. Maybe we could settle for one lovebird. Regardless, we're glad that the Haitian artists who make these birds from recycled cement bags will hopefully be getting fair trade for their art.

The perching birds are available in white and mint, while the lovebirds come in white and aqua. The dimensions of the birds are bigger than you might imagine, ranging from 9.5" high to 12" long! Check them out here.

Have you ever made your own papier-mache creatures?

Comments (9)

Can someone explain Viva Terra's deal? They must be paying peanuts for stuff manufactured in the third-world, but they sell everything for big bucks. Who's behind them? Are they part of some big chain?

At least half of my middle and high school projects involved some paper mache. I bet I could figure out how to make these, spending 50 cents on a newspaper and not $49 plus shipping.

Ah, I saw these in a store the other day. I thought they were really cute, but the price turned me off.

I agree...make them yourself!

my mom gave me one of the white lovebirds for my birthday a few years ago and i perched it right by my front door. such a happy little thing to see when you first walk in!

Saw these a while back in Anthropologie, in other colors and even further back at Stray Dog's site. I like them, quirky cute.

Hi, I noticed these paper-mache birds and appreciate how lovely they are. I read the comments, too--people wondering about what the artisans are paid? I would like to introduce you to Paper Turtle-- we are a New Mexico-Haiti partnership who offer paper-mache sculpture (including our own Little Brown and Newsprint Bird) at very reasonable prices. And the best part? We are a small partnership based on mutual commitment and care, and we share all profits. Find out more on our web site, paperturtle.com, or see our sculpture at paperturtles.etsy.com.