As grandson of Manuel Hernandez, the originator of the famous carved "animalitos," Armando and his brother carry on the family tradition. His work is sought by collectors, and he has shown his work throughout the U.S.

When creating a piece Armando "reads" the wood to determine the movement of the animal he will discover within. Using Copal wood, he carves it while still green, then dries it in the sun before sanding and painting.

He and his wife decorate his pieces with vibrant colors. The entire process takes 15 days for a large piece, 6 days for a medium piece, 3-4 days for a small piece. Each piece is an heirloom that will brighten up any room.