Modern Hippie of the Month: Marlon Obando Solano, artist for Naturaleza Organic Jewelry, and his wife Amy

Marlon Obando Solano is an archaeologist and artist originally from Nicaragua who creates jewelry using sustainably collected organic materials. Growing up in rural San Lorenzo, Nicaragua, Marlon gained an appreciation of the seeds and woods growing in the surrounding forests. His work as an archaeologist has inspired his use of natural materials for adornment and symbolism. He and his wife Amy now reside in Louisville, Kentucky, where they create Naturaleza Organic Jewelry, www.naturalezanica.com. Read on for our Q&A with Marlon and Amy.

How did you start “thinking green,” and what inspired you to do so?

We both trace our green thinking back to our childhoods. Marlon grew up as one of 11 children on a farm in rural Nicaragua, where living simply was a necessity, not a choice. In college he was an environmental activist, educating people and leading campaigns to protect the environment. Working as an archaeologist, Marlon was inspired by our ancestors’ lifestyle. I (Amy) also grew up with an appreciation for the earth. My first foray into activism was creating a middle school recycling program, which led to a path of social justice activism.

How does being a “modern hippie” speak to you personally?

Making art that is deeply connected to the earth provides a vehicle for appreciating, honoring, and celebrating the earth. We strive to integrate our values into our lifestyle at every turn. We hope to inspire and invite others to a more conscious lifestyle by creating a seamless connection between our creativity, our values, and our livelihood.

Tell us a bit about Naturaleza Organic Jewelry.

We create handmade jewelry from sustainable organic materials that we collect by hand. When we met, Marlon was making unique necklaces out of found materials. He mostly gave them away to friends and used them to barter for basic necessities. We started working together to find a fair trade market, starting off with tourists who were interested in supporting a local artist and eventually selling to fair trade outlets in the U.S. When we moved to the U.S., we started selling at art fairs and slowly but surely growing our business. Now that we sell our work online, we find that people who value eco-friendly art can find us easily.

How does your jewelry line embody eco-friendliness?

Our art is based on the principle of connectivity – expressing and embodying connectedness to the earth. We collect all of our materials by hand in a sustainable fashion, appreciating the environment in which they grow and their role in a delicately balanced ecosystem. Throughout our business, we maintain our commitment by choosing methods and materials that make a minimal impact. All of our packaging is made from post-consumer recycled paper.

Where did Marlon get his experience in jewelry making?

Marlon is completely self-taught, experimenting with materials since he was young. He has been making jewelry and sculpting for over 10 years.

Where do you get the materials for your jewelry?

We collect them mostly in Nicaragua. We have several reliable spots where certain trees grow and produce quality seeds that we return to year after year. We also discover new materials all the time in Kentucky, especially when Marlon is working on an archaeology dig. Sometimes our customers send us special pieces of wood to use to create a piece especially for them.

Do you purchase any of the materials you use, or are they all found objects?

We find all of our natural materials (wood, seed, stone, shell, etc.) ourselves. We only purchase the recycled metals that we use. The cords we use for our necklaces are made from recycled metals or sustainable sources, such as hemp.

Is the silver you use sustainable as well?

Yes, we use recycled silver.

What are the price points of your work?

Between $22 and $120.

Can you tell us about the artistic process that goes into creating the jewelry?

Marlon: My artistic process begins by collecting seeds and fallen wood from the forest floor. I dry, clean and cure, carve, sand, and inlay to create one-of-a-kind necklaces, earrings, and rings. I incorporate sterling silver inlay into many of my pieces, using ancient symbols and Mayan numerology. My work reflects my cultural heritage and nature, while experimenting with new elements of design and innovative use of natural materials. I am inspired by the natural patterns and textures that I discover in the materials. No two pieces are exactly alike.

What other modern hippies inspire you?

Our friends Paul and Becca, who live in an intentional community in Nicaragua called the Jubilee House Community. It runs the Center for Development in Central America, which works on lots of local sustainable development projects (www.jhc-cdca.org). Of all of their amazing projects, the Women’s Sewing Cooperative, which makes organic clothing, is quite notable. They were the first “fair trade” Free Trade Zone in the world. Now they are working on getting a cotton-spinning plant built that will employ more people and spin local organic cotton into yarn for the fabric that is sewn at the co-op.

Paul works with Nicaraguan artists to create sustainable fair trade cooking utensils from his workshop that overlooks their straw bale house (www.jhc-cdca.org/SlightlyTwistedSpoons.pdf, www.SlightlyTwistedWood.etsy.com). Becca has worked to create a fair trade sewing cooperative and now an organic cotton spinning plant. Our friend Carol also inspires us. She founded The Food Literacy Project to connect youth to the soil and the farmers that grow their food (www.foodliteracyproject.org).

What are some eco-friendly products you can’t live without?

Slightly Twisted Spoons cooking utensils, vinegar (for cleaning and canning), handmade organic soap from local soap-makers, and fair trade organic coffee.

What are some of your other interests?

Gardening, cooking, canning, brewing beer, playing music with Appalatin… As you know, Marlon also works as an archaeologist. I (Amy) am a consultant and Spanish interpreter, and I work as an advocate in the immigrant and refugee community. We both care deeply about social justice and spend time supporting Witness for Peace and the immigrant justice movement.

Naturaleza, www.naturalezanica.com, (502) 634-2109

This is NOT a sponsored review.

Ellie P. Campbell’s eco-interests range from natural and organic foods to skincare products, clothing and other useful gear. She is a freelance photographer, editor, writer and graphic designer. Find her beautiful photography at www.elliepcampbellphotography.com. Read Ellie’s other contributions to Modern Hippie Mag here.

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