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Women United for Artisan Development

Women United for Artisan Development

5.0

"During the civil war, many families were separated by the violence, by kidnappings, murder and exile. We are survivors, orphans, widows. But we are strong women…"

"Thank you for your interest in our story and our designs. I'm Oralia and I'd like to tell you a little bit about... us.

"Our group is made up of many women who carry on the weaving tradition our mothers and grandmothers taught us. We work at home on our looms. We're hardworking women, mothers and often we're the heads of our households. We come from different parts of Guatemala — some from Sololá near Lake Atitlán, and others from the lovely town of Quetzaltenango, known as 'The Cradle of Culture.' Quetzaltenango has produced many writers, painters and musicians as well as woman weavers like us.

"There are almost 400 women in our group and foreign volunteers are helping us. Our past has been difficult and a bit sad. We lived through the civil war that Guatemalans suffered for so many years. We were caught between both sides, the rebels and the army. It was a time of great anxiety and pain. Many families were separated by violence, kidnappings, murder and exile. We are survivors, orphans, widows. But we are strong women and highly motivated to continue the struggle and find happiness.

"Our work is inspired by mutual support, by recognizing that we are creative women. We are capable of developing beautiful designs and creating weaving networks based on honesty, trust and respect. Because our towns are relatively nearby, we've been able to organize the designing and weaving to fill orders very well. We have representatives who attend the meetings to keep us up to date and to divide up the work among us.

"However, it hasn't been easy to find outlets to sell our work because we don't know a lot about technology to reach all the shoppers and other people who want to help us. Our motivation is strong — our families and our children. We want to be able to send them through school so they can become who they want to be in life, so they can fulfill their dreams.

"Today, we're very grateful to you and we want to thank all of our friends and shoppers because, by offering our weavings online, we'll be able to generate more income and continue working to achieve our dreams."
29 items

Cotton cushion cover, 'Ceiba Tree' - Maya Backstrap Woven Cotton Cushion Cover in Grey and White

Ceiba Tree, Maya Backstrap Woven Cotton Cushion Cover in Grey and White

Women United for Artisan Development
5.0
$99.00

Cotton table runner, 'Dazzling Stars' - Maya Handwoven Cotton Table Runner in Bright Colors

Dazzling Stars, Maya Handwoven Cotton Table Runner in Bright Colors

Women United for Artisan Development
5.0
$107.00

Cotton cushion cover, 'Ancestral Depictions in Wheat' - Handwoven Cotton Cushion Cover in Wheat from Guatemala

Ancestral Depictions in Wheat, Handwoven Cotton Cushion Cover in Wheat from Guatemala

Women United for Artisan Development
5.0
$114.00

Cotton cushion cover, 'Traditional Symmetry' - Maya Backstrap Loom Woven Earth Tone Cotton Cushion Cover

Traditional Symmetry, Maya Backstrap Loom Woven Earth Tone Cotton Cushion Cover

Women United for Artisan Development
5.0
$99.00

Cotton tote bag, 'Natural Burgundy' - Hand-Woven Patterned Cotton Tote Bag in Red Brown and Ivory

Natural Burgundy, Hand-Woven Patterned Cotton Tote Bag in Red Brown and Ivory

Women United for Artisan Development
5.0
$79.00

Cotton cushion cover, 'Mountain Sun' - Chili Suns Chocolate Birds on Cinnamon Cotton Cushion Cover

Mountain Sun, Chili Suns Chocolate Birds on Cinnamon Cotton Cushion Cover

Women United for Artisan Development
5.0
$99.00

Cotton table runner, 'Azure Reef' - Guatemalan Hand-Woven Cotton Table Runner with Fringed Ends

Azure Reef, Guatemalan Hand-Woven Cotton Table Runner with Fringed Ends

Women United for Artisan Development
5.0
$104.00

Cotton cushion cover, 'Birds in Color' - Handwoven on Backstrap Loom 100% Cotton Cushion Cover in Red

Birds of the Forest, Handwoven on Backstrap Loom 100% Cotton Cushion Cover in Red

Women United for Artisan Development
5.0
$99.00

Cotton sling, 'Chajul Nahual in Black' - Geometric Cotton Sling in Black from Guatemala

Chajul Nahual in Black, Geometric Cotton Sling in Black from Guatemala

Women United for Artisan Development
5.0
$79.00

Cotton cushion cover, 'Kot, Divine Eagle' - Two-headed Maya Eagle on Alabaster Cotton Cushion Cover

Kot, Divine Eagle, Two-headed Maya Eagle on Alabaster Cotton Cushion Cover

Women United for Artisan Development
5.0
$99.00

Cotton cushion cover, 'Sky Diamonds' - Diamond Texture Maya Handwoven Blue Cotton Cushion Cover

Sky Diamonds, Diamond Texture Maya Handwoven Blue Cotton Cushion Cover

Women United for Artisan Development
5.0
$104.00

Cotton cushion cover, 'Solola Symbols' - Black and White Striped Cushion Cover

Solola Symbols, Black and White Striped Cushion Cover

Women United for Artisan Development
5.0
$99.00

Cotton cushion cover, 'Silver Moon' - Maya Loom Woven Cotton Cushion Cover in Grey and Lilac

Silver Moon, Maya Loom Woven Cotton Cushion Cover in Grey and Lilac

Women United for Artisan Development
5.0
$99.00

Cotton cushion cover, 'Quiche Birds' - Blue Bird Theme Maya Backstrap Woven Cotton Cushion Cover

Quiche Birds, Blue Bird Theme Maya Backstrap Woven Cotton Cushion Cover

Women United for Artisan Development
5.0
$127.00

Cotton cushion cover, 'Red Delight' - Maya Backstrap Loom Woven Red Cotton Cushion Cover

Red Delight, Maya Backstrap Loom Woven Red Cotton Cushion Cover

Women United for Artisan Development
5.0
$99.00

Cotton backpack, 'Expedition in Bordeaux' - Striped Cotton Backpack in Bordeaux from Guatemala

Expedition in Bordeaux, Striped Cotton Backpack in Bordeaux from Guatemala

Women United for Artisan Development
5.0
$104.00

Cotton placemats, 'Highland Flowers' (set of 4) - Set of Four Handwoven Cotton Placemats from Guatemala

Highland Flowers, Set of Four Handwoven Cotton Placemats from Guatemala

Women United for Artisan Development
5.0
$79.00

Cotton cushion cover, 'Ancestral Depictions in Smoke' - Handwoven Cotton Cushion Cover in Smoke from Guatemala

Ancestral Depictions in Smoke, Handwoven Cotton Cushion Cover in Smoke from Guatemala

Women United for Artisan Development
5.0
$109.00

Cotton cushion cover, 'Chevron Geometry' - Chevron Motif Cotton Cushion Cover from Guatemala

Chevron Geometry, Chevron Motif Cotton Cushion Cover from Guatemala

Women United for Artisan Development
5.0
$99.00

Cotton cushion cover, 'Azure Geometry' - Geometric Cotton Cushion Cover in Azure from Guatemala

Azure Geometry, Geometric Cotton Cushion Cover in Azure from Guatemala

Women United for Artisan Development
5.0
$99.00

Cotton cushion cover, 'Red Maya Deer' - Red Deer Theme Maya Backstrap Black Cotton Cushion Cover

Red Maya Deer, Red Deer Theme Maya Backstrap Black Cotton Cushion Cover

Women United for Artisan Development
5.0
$99.00

Cotton tote bag, 'Casual Look' - Hand-Woven Patterned Cotton Tote Bag in Ivory Blue and Brown

Casual Look, Hand-Woven Patterned Cotton Tote Bag in Ivory Blue and Brown

Women United for Artisan Development
5.0
$79.00

Cotton cushion cover, 'Stars of Solola' - Maya Handwoven Burgundy Cotton Cushion Cover from Guatemala

Stars of Solola, Maya Handwoven Burgundy Cotton Cushion Cover from Guatemala

Women United for Artisan Development
5.0
$107.00

Cotton cushion cover, 'Sacred Shapes' - Red Cotton Cushion Cover with Geometric Motifs

Sacred Shapes, Red Cotton Cushion Cover with Geometric Motifs

Women United for Artisan Development
5.0
$114.00

Cotton cushion cover, 'Red Quiche Birds' - Maya Backstrap Loom Bird Theme Red Cotton Cushion Cover

Red Quiche Birds, Maya Backstrap Loom Bird Theme Red Cotton Cushion Cover

Women United for Artisan Development
5.0
$99.00

Cotton sling, 'Chajul Nahual in Poppy' - Geometric Cotton Sling in Red from Guatemala

Chajul Nahual in Poppy, Geometric Cotton Sling in Red from Guatemala

Women United for Artisan Development
5.0
$77.00

Cotton table runner, 'Villages of Guatemala' - Colorful Hand Woven Guatemalan Cotton Table Runner

Villages of Guatemala, Colorful Hand Woven Guatemalan Cotton Table Runner

Women United for Artisan Development
5.0
$109.00

Cotton table runner, 'Colors of my Land' - Blue and Multicolored Hand Woven Cotton Table Runner

Colors of my Land, Blue and Multicolored Hand Woven Cotton Table Runner

Women United for Artisan Development
5.0
$109.00

Cotton throw blanket, 'Fresh and Cool' - Blue and Red Hand-Woven Cotton Throw Blanket with Stripes

Fresh and Cool, Blue and Red Hand-Woven Cotton Throw Blanket with Stripes

Women United for Artisan Development
5.0
$359.00

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