Frequently Asked Questions:
The molas that I presented in my site are selected with love and care just for you...
How can I purchase beautiful molas or baskets from your website?
Since I have a large inventory of items, all molas are not listed on the website. I suggest you to contact me. If you are sending an e-mail, let me know the type of theme you are looking for: molas, Wounaan Baskets or Embera Masks.
e-mail: [email protected] or call 937-422-5683 (USA)
or you can go directly to mola gallery at the top bar (website), click there and next choose the gallery that you want to look at, then click on the picture to see description of the item and the "add to cart" tab.
Where is the San Blas Islands?
The Comarca de Guna Yala (known as San Blas Islands) are located along the caribbean coast of Panama from the golfo of San Blas (Comarca de Guna Yala) all the way to the Colombian border.
The Islands extend from the borders with Colon Province and the Republic of Colombia.
What is the porpose of selling this art?
Mola Art and Craft is dedicated to ensure the survival of these traditional indigenous art and we have a long-time interest in supporting the indigenous artist, as well as learning from them.
Are the indigenous who make the molas (reverse appliques) are the same as the ones who weave the baskets?
No. The people who weave the baskets are the Wounaan and Embera (Masks) and the people who make the molas are "the Guna(s) or Cunas" who live in La Comarca de Guna Yala (known as San Blas Islands).
Can the mola be reproduce?
No. Under no circumstances a mola can be reproduce, this is the art of the Guna Indians of La Comarca de Guna Yala (San Blas Islands) and is procteted by Law #20 created in the year 2000. Each designs is their imagination.
How and where are molas made?
Each mola is uniquely handmade by the Guna Women using the technique of reverse applique the process required patience, time, imagination and extraordinary stitching skills. Reverse Applique is done by laying the fabrics and cutting through the top layers to expose the layers beneath. All the layers are basted together (2, 3, 5 and up to 7 layers) and the design can be sketched on the top layer and other layers may help to outline the theme. Some molas will have the most intricate lines you can ever imagine.
There are other techniques the artist may use to elaborate a Superb Mola.
The making of molas plays an important task in the Guna's Life.
Each mola may take from 6 weeks up to 1 year (working several hours during the day), when you received your mola (s) you will be able to check the back of each mola and see the amazing stitches of the Guna artist.
The molas are made in the Comarca de Guna Yala (San Blas Islands), but they are also women's that has been moving to the city and they are able to make molas in Panama City.
Is the technique different on each mola?
Besides using the reverse applique process, the Guna women's had been introducing new and different ways to embellish a mola or to make the background more attractive and pleasant to the eyes of the beholder. Not every mola and every design has to follow the same method to be made.
To mention a few lattice, saw tooth stitch, holes, circle appliques, triangles, embroidery using small dots or circle cuts.
I love molas that incorporate difficult techniques, details, molas that are unique and show me that the Guna Artist went further beyond their skills to create a masterpiece of art.
To learn more visit my "Blog" that is located at the navigation bar.
Where do you buy molas?
When we travel to Panama, we buy molas in different Islands of San Blas and we personally select the blouses.
Do you sell molas that are good quality, simple and inexpensive?
Yes, I do have a couple molas that are not listed and that are on the price range of $39.00 to $55.00 (they are more simple) ask me and I can send you picture.
Do you accept credit cards directly without using paypal?
Yes. If you don't want to pay through Paypal, You can use Square, Zelle, just call 937-422-5683 and I will be able to take your credit card information by phone. Money Order and Checks are accepted.
What does the Guna artist get out of it?
We work directly with the Guna artist supporting them by buying molas directly from them, making sure they get compensated immediately for all the time and work that they put on each piece. The women are intelligent and they know how to determine the price of molas.
How the Guna women's determine the price of the molas?
Prices are determine by the women according to the originality of the design and the degree of elaboration, material they use, time that they put into each piece.
What to do with my molas?
Decorate kid's bedroom, guestroom, livingroom, bathroom, bedrooms, make a quilts, bed runner, blankets, pillows, wallhangins, drapes, chair covers, tablecloth, placemats. I have customers that had remodeled their studio with molas. Just use your imagination.
Give it as a gift: Summer Wedding, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Birthday, Graduation, Christmas, Valentine's Day, Easter, Art Lesson, Special Parties or Events.
Do you only carry mola panels?
Besides selling the small appliques and large mola panels, We also sell any product for women, men (mola ties) and children dresses made with mola. We sell the Guna fabric, headscarf, mola blouses that the women's wear, mola headbands, mola vest, mola sandals, bead wraps for the arms and legs. There are Wounaan baskets and Embera Masks for sale these are known as the finest baskets in the world. The Wounaan-Embera is another Indigenous group of the Darien Rainforest, Panama.
We carry a line of Panama Guayaberas, Panabrisa Shirts for men and women.
The only products we do not carry are the Guna Artifacts (Guna Medicine).
Will my mola be worth more in the future?
When you buy a mola, you are buying because you love the art, perhaps because it is unique and carry culture/tradition. Yes, there is a great demand for molas and the price is increasing every year.