"These bracelets are inspired by love. The love that unites us all, and when it is real, does not differentiate, does not discriminate, does not exclude," says artisan Iliana Hernandez of her original jewelry designs. She hand-paints a colorful heart and mandala motif on a pinewood pendant, which centers a black faux suede cord of adjustable length.
Made in Guatemala
Pinewood, polyester cord
Hand-crafted item -- color, size and/or motif may vary slightly
"It is so satisfying to share what I've learned with other women so they can get ahead with their own children."
"I was born in Guatemala City in 1959, and grew up with my four older brothers and sisters. My father passed away when I... was five, so my mother raised us by herself. She is a seamstress and that's how she made a living for us. Many nights I watched her stay up late, sewing. But in this way, we were able to go to school, grow up to be good people and buy a house, where my mother still lives.
"My youngest brother, César, was always creative. He worked in clay, painted, drew cartoons and read a lot. Little by little, I became interested, too, and he taught me to paint in acrylics. One of my daughters also likes art so, after he retired, they'd experiment together. And their designs came out very well.
"Once I came home from work to find the whole house filled with plaster. My daughter and brother had their face and clothing covered in it, and they were crafting a doll they dressed in cotton dipped in plaster.
"Some time later, I found a magazine that showed how to craft something similar but not so complicated. At least it wouldn't make such a mess. I showed it to my brother and he, my daughter and I started making prototypes. We made such a pretty doll! Then we decided to paint them in our traditional clothing. We took the doll to the central market to show the shopkeepers. The first one who saw our doll loved it. She gave us our first order. It was a little scary because we didn't know if we'd be able to do it, but we were exited, too. We crafted the dolls and delivered them on time.
"That was in 1995, and we've been working ever since. We've been passionate about our dolls from the beginning, and they make us very happy. There's nothing better than working with love.
"My brother thought it would be good to help others with our work, so we began teaching people to paint. The house was filled with people; it was very festive. Today, we're still working with many of those women. They work in their own homes, then bring us the painted fabrics and we craft the dolls. We've been able to organize things so we can all work from home. My mother fashions the frames for the dolls, does the backgrounds for the fabric and does the finishing. My daughter and I do the research, coordinate with the artists, paint, supervise the quality, and help my mother assemble the dolls and give them the final touches. When they're finished, I sell them.
"Having worked with the dolls for a while, I pursued my interest in all things Maya, especially their calendar and the nahuales, which are the animals that energize the calendar and accompany each person through their life’s journey. Inspired by the colors that Maya people use today, and by their ancestral beliefs, I started designing jewelry that honors this great gift that the ancient Mayas gave to humanity.
"I share this jewelry work with the people that also craft the dolls – for all of us it means yet another way of expressing the artist within us. It also means another source of income, and the possibility of sharing the legendary art and beliefs of the Maya people.
"The women work from home, and we put them together and add the finishing touches. At home we all chip in, including mom.
"What I like best about my work is that I can do it with my family around me and I can take care of my little boy. It is so satisfying to share what I've learned with other women so they can get ahead with their own children. My dream is to help more people with the work I can give them, to see my family grow, and also to grow this project my brother started.
"My life is filled with activities. I really enjoy sharing my time with my family. It's wonderful to see my children and the other women's children growing up. I also like to go out to eat and sightsee, and take my family to places close to nature. And I'm very happy to know that my mother – at 84 – still has so much life in her, and that she enjoys working with me and feeling needed.
"It's inspiring to see a finished doll, and to be able to help others and show the world such an important aspect of our country. Each piece that we craft is intimately related with Guatemala's history. Some of our designs can take hours to paint. With each doll, we try to reproduce the native apparel of our communities which, in many cases, is no longer worn. The apparel varies from region to region as well as the occasions on which it is worn. Despite the individual differences, each weaving and embroidery pattern carries a message.
"They reveal the Maya vision of the cosmos where every element and detail has a meaning. That applies to the Maya calendar and the nahual glyphs, where every line and every detail is closely associated with Mother Nature.
"Through our work, I hope you are better able to know our rich culture and color. We hope you'd like to visit and experience the beauty and warmth of Guatemala. Please know that when you choose our designs, there are many people who are grateful for your support."
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 4 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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UNICEF Market's artisan-direct prices are made possible through our partnership with NOVICA, a leading fair trade organization that works directly with artisans in remote regions around the world in many of the same communities where UNICEF has missions. NOVICA’s ten global Artisan Empowerment Hubs in Asia, Africa, and Latin America provide interest-free microcredit loans to artisans and help them bring their handmade creations directly to you.
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