Handcrafted Beaded Guatemalan Kite-Themed Mini Shoulder Bag 'Traditional Barrilete' Item ID: 2669892078

"Hands of Atitlán was founded by Dolores Quievac and Diego Petzey in July 2014. Both are natives of the Tz'utujil village of Santiago Atitlán, Sololá, Guatemala. Dolores and Diego were born into families dedicated to textile art, inheriting their knowledge generationally and thus preserving the artistic practices of their people. Their parents also work in textile arts. Dolores started working at the age of seven and Diego at the age of eight.

"Hands of Atitlán was established nine years ago in a small village around Lake Atitlán. In 2014, it began operating as a learning center for dozens of artisans with the aim of strengthening their knowledge and processes in the production of handmade jewelry.

"Hands of Atitlán believes in and works to transform the lives of indigenous women by providing them with tools and education so that they can thrive alongside their families and communities. The organization works with communities to break the cycles of poverty.

"Dolores and Diego's inspiration for their art comes from love, nature, and life. They have been working collectively for nine years, but the artisans who make up the group have over 20 years of experience in their craft. Hands of Atitlán is a social enterprise that aims to improve the lives of its artisans individually and society as a whole.

"Their dream is to become a technological learning center for artists that economically empowers women and generates opportunities for dignified and quality employment that guarantees fair pay for women and their families to break the cycles of poverty and increase their power in decision-making in other areas of their lives.

"Dolores and Diego learned their craft from their mother and father, and now they teach more than 30 people of different ages, mainly mothers. They also have a small community center for children and youth in Santiago Atitlán, where they teach and use art as a process of encounter and dialogue.

"In addition to their art, Dolores and Diego enjoy generating education and empowerment processes for women who never had the opportunity to attend school. They also have initiated reforestation campaigns with native trees in Santiago Atitlán. With each purchase from Hands of Atitlán, customers are transforming the life of an artist and helping to empower them economically to break the cycles of poverty in which they find themselves."