Mauricio Morales crafts a small ceramic bird figurine that features exquisite hand painted detailing. 'The process for making these small animals was something I learned when I was small...since then it has become a passion of mine,' says the Guatemalan artisan, adding that the bird sculpture is made for, '...all of those who love birds.' He starts by mixing the clay and carefully shaping the figure, and then he adds aluminum legs and feet. After the bird is fired, he sands it, mixes his own colors and paints the figurine. The result is a charming, meticulously decorated representation of a snowy owl, complete with tuftless head, small yellow eyes, and white plumage with hints of grey.

• materials: Ceramic, aluminum
• Signed by the artist
• Hand-crafted item -- color, size and/or motif may vary slightly
• May be used indoors or outdoors