6" Hand Carved Soapstone Nativity Set, Fair Trade, Kenya

This Nativity set is Hand-carved from soapstone from Western Kenya. The largest piece in this nativity set is approx. 6 inches tall. 12 pieces. Soapstone is one of the most eco-friendly stones to harvest. Additionally, soapstone is naturally bacteria resistant, so no harsh chemicals are used in its fabrication and it can be cleaned with natural harmless products. ____ This soapstone is carved by a group of artists who live in the rural village of Tabaka, Kenya, the heart of soapstone crafts. Established in 1990, they a member of the WFTO, and as such assures that the artisans are paid a fair price for their work. In addition, the organization support community development by contributing to projects that improve living conditions, education, and health of their members and the village at large. Soapstone is mined from great pits in the area surrounding Kiisi, Kenya. The mined soapstone is then delivered to carvers who carve sculptures from the natural stone for the wholesale market, the color of which ranges from cream to pink, to brown, to yellow, to black, to a marbling of all of them. Once carved, the craftspeople smooth rough edges of the soapstone with sandpaper dipped in…