Holiday Tree Of Life by Emma Carlow x Metio

Very excited about presenting you this Holiday Tree of Life. This flat pack Holiday Tree of Life is made of plywood and unpainted. Enjoy it as it is or paint your own version with a group of friends.

Inspiration for this Holiday Tree of Life comes from the extensive collection of paper cutouts collected by Bureau of Indian Affairs teacher Mable Morrow during her work with the Flandreau Santee Sioux tribe of South Dakota (1923-1937), and housed at the Museum of International Folk Art. Pictured alongside the DIY kit are examples of two paper cuts in the museum's collection.

The Native Americans of New England and the upper Midwest were making cutout silhouettes from birch bark before the first European settlers made contact with them. Cutouts served as patterns for beadwork, quillwork, and other ornaments to be applied to clothing, canoes, tools and toys. Through trade with Europeans, these tribes obtained scissors, and their cutouts became more complex. Birch bark gave way to paper and cutouts began to be viewed not just as patterns, but as art.

Instructions included, but please note, for best results, we recommend you remove the tree cut out and paint it before assembling it.

Dimensions: Height approx 39.5cm / Width approx 26.7cm

Emma Carlow is an artist, designer and maker based in Lewes, East Sussex. She is inspired by folk art from around the world and the incredible craftsmanship displayed in objects that people used daily. Toys are her other passion. From dolls and animals of ancient Greece and Rome to the Galt toys from her childhood. She spends her time making things. ​

In celebration of folk art, creativity and joy, Pamela Kelly partnered with Emma Carlow to create Metio Studio. The idea underpinning the business is simple: have fun and make something.

At Metio Studio the making is focused on trees of life inspired by the craft traditions of the world. Every culture has its own version of a tree of life - a symbol embodying abundance, nature, fertility, renewal, joy, and celebration. They are often created to mark a seasonal celebration, a rite of passage or simply to be given as a gift. In many cases, the making of these objects is accomplished by small groups who are part of a community involved in, or sponsoring a celebration or ceremony.

Perhaps in making a Metio Studio Tree of Life you, and your community, will have cause to celebrate.

Credit for the paper cuts:
Paper cut, Flandreau Santee Sioux tribe of South Dakota, ca.1893. Museum of International Folk Art, Santa Fe, New Mexico. Photo by Blair Clark. ©Museum of International Folk Art.