Created by Guatemalan duo Martina and Manuel, this baguette is decorated with colorful stripes that evoke the vibrant hues of the countryside. Handwoven from cotton, this bag drapes over the shoulder on a thin, elegant strap. This baguette opens with a zipper, revealing a cotton blend lining with a zipper pocket on one side for storing small items.
Made in Guatemala
100% cotton; cotton lining
Features a zipper closure
Use a warm iron
Hand-crafted item -- color, size and/or motif may vary slightly
"The art of weaving is an essential part of my life, because it has given me the opportunity to give my children a better life than the one I had."
52 years ago, in a small village in the department of Sololá, Guatemala, Marcela Par was born into a humble family, made... up of her two parents and her 8 siblings. Marcela's smile totally infects the people who know her. With great enthusiasm and pride, she shows her collection of products, all made on traditional foot looms, a family art that Marcela preserves with great love. Bad experiences have shaped her today as a person full of strength, humility and a heart full of goodness, who seeks with art to continue to provide her children with the necessary support to have a future full of light and success.
"The art of weaving is something I learned from a very young age, because at that time the opportunities for women in society were very scarce. Most of the girls weren't able to study, because we had to stay at home doing the cleaning or helping our mothers. That was why my mother, with a lot of love, dedicated herself to teaching us in her free time to weave on traditional backstrap looms and later on standing looms. It is something that I am very grateful for, because thanks to her this is the business that has supported my family.”
At the young age of 15, Marcela got married, as it was part of certain traditions that her ancestors had, and an event that marked her life forever.
“After I got married, together with my husband we went to live at my mother-in-law's house. Without knowing it, my ordeal began there. She was very mean to me. She discriminated against me; insulted and mistreated me. I was the one who did the housework, and I had to get up at 3 in the morning to grind the corn to make breakfast tortillas for the whole family. I couldn't defend myself. I was very scared, but I couldn't leave the house either, because I didn't know what was going to happen.
“My husband started to drink a lot; there was no day when he did not come home drunk. We already had 5 children, and they could see this unfortunate situation. He also treated me very badly verbally, though I thank God very much that he never hit me. His addiction led to his death, and I became a widow at 32.
“With 5 children, my concern was great. I began to work in houses, cleaning, washing clothes, cooking, and making textiles. Little by little the money came into my house, but it was not enough. We continued living with my mother-in-law, but the bad issues did not cease. It was still difficult for me to continue under the same roof, but God strengthened my spirit. I was able to continue despite the situation, until she passed away and I could breathe. Stronger than ever, I continued fighting for my children.
"With a lot of effort, I managed to move them forward. Everyone has had the opportunity to study. As I could not do it, that fills me with great joy; it makes me very proud. Life improved, but it struck me again when my daughter, Gladys, suffered from epilepsy. It causes violent seizures and sudden blackouts. This disorder requires a lot of care and expensive medications. I always have to be with her and taking care of her, because she falls often, and I do not want her to hit her head when she falls. She is currently on medication, but the symptoms do not stop. They continue to interfere with her daily work. It is something that makes me very sad, because she cannot perform as she would like. She is barely 21 years old, and I would like her to be cured. I want to continue working to get better medicines so that she can have a normal life, because it hurts me a lot to see her like this.
"The art of weaving is an essential part of my life, because it has given me the opportunity to give my children a better life than the one I had. I ask God a lot to always protect and guide them so that they can make the right decisions for his life. I dream of being able to see my products in other countries, and see the love with which I make them reflected in them. I really appreciate the opportunity to be part of this family of artisans. I promise to give my best effort and dedication in everything that I do. God bless you as you are contribute to the success of many people with many dreams and hopes for a better future.”
Only valid on the Normal shipping option for shipments to 48 Lower US states.
Discounted shipping price may not be applied to previous orders.
This item ships with a free artist storycard, so you can remember who you impacted today. Customized gift messages are also available with every order.
We want you to be 100% satified with your order, so if you are not completely happy with your item, you can return it within 60 days of receiving it.
We pack, ship, certify and 100% guarantee the quality of this item. Watch this video to see how.
This item is available for backorder and will ship within 2 to 8 weeks. Artists love to get backorders. Placing a backorder ensures that the artisan will do their best to create and deliver your item to our local office for shipment.
Although we cannot guarantee availability, we do expect to be able to fill the order within the timeframe indicated. But sometimes life happens - special materials may not be immediately available to the artist, or there might be some other circumstance beyond our control that could delay the shipment.
If for any reason we are unable to ship the item within the timeframe indicated, we will notify you.
In the unlikely even that we are unable to ship the item within the timeframe indicated, we will contact you and provide an updated delivery window.
This item has a special shipping flat fee which means that due to bulk, duties, or other special requirements, the item will be shipped to you via one of our special one-rate services. Shipping is only available to the United States (lower 48 States only).
WOMEN
S
M
L
XL
XXL
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
22
BUST
35 - 36
37 - 38
39 - 41
42 - 44
46 - 48
WAIST
27 - 28
29 - 30
31 - 33
34 - 36
38 - 40
HIPS
37 - 38
39 - 40
42 - 43
45 - 46
49 - 50
MEN
S
M
L
XL
XXL
CHEST
36 - 38
39 - 41
42 - 44
46 - 48
50 - 52
WAIST
30 - 32
32 - 34
35 - 37
38 - 41
43 - 45
NECK
14 - 14.5
15 - 15.5
16 - 16.5
17 - 17.5
18 - 18.5
SLEEVE
32.5
33.5
34.5
35.5
36.5
FINDING YOUR SIZE
Take your measurements with the tape measure over your under garments. If your measurements fall between sizes you may prefer the next larger size. Inseam, skirt and dress lengths vary by style and will be listed in the item description. Our sweaters are knit in standard American sizes, however actual measurements vary by style.
BUST / CHEST
Measure around the fullest part of chest under the arms and over the shoulder blades keeping the tape measure level.
WAIST
Measure around the smallest part of the waist keeping the tape measure comfortably loose. Most garments use the low waist measurement noted below.
LOW WAIST
Measure around the body approximately 1.5" below the natural waist (above). This is the area where most pants and skirts actually fit.
HIPS
Standing with your heels together, measure around the fullest part of the body approx 7"-8" below the waist.
NECK
Measure around the base of the neck keeping the tape measure comfortably loose.
SLEEVE
Bend elbow slightly and starting at the center back of the neck, measure across the shoulder, to the elbow and down to the wrist.
INSEAM
Our standard inseam length for women is 32" and 34" for men; however inseam measurements will vary slightly by style.
Belts with buckles are measured in inches that correspond to a waist size however, most people do not wear belts on the waist, they wear them closer to the hips. A buckle belt measurement is take from the end of the "pin" of the buckle to the middle hole on the belt. Generally there are 5 holes for size adjustment, with a 1" space between each, so the middle hole will the be average size of the belt.
For at tie belt (no buckle) measure the belt portion end to end and half of the tie portion. This again is the medium size of the belt.
For a soft fabric tie belt it can be called "1 size fits most" and the entire length of the belt should be measured and listed.
See buckle/tie belt size standards below.
WOMEN
S
M
L
XL
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
22
inches
26 - 30
28 - 32
31 - 35
34 - 38
38 - 42
cm
76 - 86
81.5 - 91.5
86.5 - 96.5
91.5 - 101.5
96.5 - 106.5
+/- tolerance: 0.5 inches or 1.25 cm
MEN
S
M
L
XL
XXL
inches
30 - 34
32 - 36
35 - 39
39 - 43
43 - 47
cm
81.5 - 91.5
86.5 - 96.5
91.5 - 101.5
96.5 - 106.5
109 - 119
+/- tolerance: 0.5 inches or 1.25 cm
Sash tie length
Lay sash/tie out flat away from the garment and measure from end to end.
Belt with buckle
Measure from the end of the pin of the buckle (where it touches the buckle) to the middle hole.
Belt without buckle
Measure from the belt portion end to end and half of the tie portion. This is will give you the medium size of the belt.
Download our printable ring sizing chart to find the perfect fit!
We refer to these items as "discounted wholesale". Such items carry a deeper wholesale discount than other items, and have greater potential to provide your business with healthier resale margins.
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WIN # 1 You Save!
Handmade goods from developing nations usually pass through a series of intermediaries before being purchased by retail consumers. Each of these intermediaries adds cost to the product, and that cost is passed on to the customer. UNICEF USA partnered with NOVICA, who works directly with artists through their regional offices in Asia, Africa and Latin America, allowing purchases from UNICEF Market to go directly from the artisans to fulfilling customer orders. By skipping steps in the traditional supply chain, you can buy high quality items for less than the regular retail prices.
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Each item purchased from UNICEF Market will benefit UNICEF's programs that provide lifesaving nutrition, medicine, education, clean water, emergency relief and more to children in need.
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