Tami Island in Morobe is well known for carvings and sculptures.
The islanders produce some of the best known artifacts found in major hotels and meeting venues in Lae city and elsewhere.
Tami carvings are found in all possible artifact shops and market places in the province, including major events such as the annual Morobe Show.
They have become tourism products over the years for visitors and those going finish.
But islanders say they aren’t getting enough from their products, which take up a lot of energy, time and skills.
Francis Puta, says besides fishing, artifacts form a large part of their income.
And they can craft any gift item for their clients.
“We craft almost anything, from bowls to baskets, or anything for the walls in your homes, or for the office table, or a smoke tray for the pub,” Puta said.
Puta and members of his family are specialists in the venture, which they take it as a hobby too.
“But the problem is we don’t have a market place in Lae,” he said, adding that they sell wherever they can on adhoc basis.
“We are also looking for any connections to sell our crafts outside of Lae,” he enquired.
Puta said they got the talent and the right materials at their island that give the best products but it becomes difficulty in selling them at good prices.
What makes it more difficult is their location from the city.
Tami Island is made up of four atolls located near Gagindu, the district headquarters of Finchaffen.
It takes approximately three hours to reach Lae on a banana boat.
Pictured are Puta’s bowls being checked by a visitor in Lae