Guatemala City, 
In the Maya language, K'amolon K'i K'ojonel means "let's get together" and it is the name of an association founded in 1987 with a mission to provide assistance and support to women in Sololá who were left widowed during Guatemala's armed conflict.
Many children were orphaned too, and people were left in extreme poverty due to the massacres in the highlands during the oppressive civil war. K'amolon K'i K'ojonel is the brainchild of leaders from the Triunfo community in Pujujil. It began as an arts and crafts project with the financial aid provided by Ronald Spector. The money was used to buy materials and pay the 17 women would weave scarves and rebozo shawls to sell.
Mr. Spector helped in the search of a fair price for the women who wove on back strap looms. Soon after, married women from the community joined the program, followed by a group of widows from El Adelanto, a neighboring community. By the end of the first year, there were 100 women weavers in the project.
In 1987, IDEX – based in San Francisco, California – built a workshop for the weavers in three months. The following year, K'amolon K'i K'ojonel was legally constituted as an Association fully recognized by the government of the region. Formal elections were carried out to form a seven-woman board of directors. Since then, elections are carried out every two years through a secret ballot in a democratic way.
In 1993 we received the support from PADEL (Canadian Embassy), which allowed for 60 more women to join the association. That year, there 200 women weavers from El Triunfo, El Progreso, El Adelanto, La Fé from Pujujil II and Sacbochol, and Los Encuentros. Half of them are widows. With the support we received from PADEL we managed to start training courses in sewing, reading and writing, and community organization. They were also able to buy domestic as well as industrial machinery, which allowed for a better quality in the apparel. Thanks to this support, we were able to achieve legal status.
Their mission is to create work for women weavers who specialize in back strap loom. Unfortunately it is a well-known fact that they are exploited by national and international markets, which is why they became founding members of the Fair Trade Federation of Barre, Massachusetts. Through them they've been in contact with many Fair Trade organizations.
At first they used rayon chenille but now, as an effort to promote ecological preservation, they use bamboo chenille. It is a better option because bamboo grows faster and does not lead to deforestation. They have also received training in dyeing techniques and the colors they use are inspired by traditional Guatemala costumes and the natural highland flora, especially that which grows around Lake Atitlán, which they regard as the most beautiful lake in the world.
Since its foundation, K'amolon K'i K'ojonel has grown as a successful association for women run by women with 200 active members. The association has managed to work almost constantly. They regard as their major achievement the stability of a women's organization and so offer hope to the survivors of the 1980s massacres.
Guatemalan Rayon Shawl 'Nature's Ethereal Inspiration'
$149.99
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Lada Very pleased with my purchase! High quality craftsmanship! Thank you!
Women's Rayon Handmade Scarf 'Solola Sapphire'
$67.99
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Gail This Solola Sapphire scarf is wonderfully soft and has luminous colors. I have another aqua one that I also love. It is very high quality. Because of the silky, lightweight fabric, it could be worn all year.
Unique Rayon from Bamboo Chenille Shawl 'Volcano Land'
$137.99
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Erika The earth tones blend together seamlessly like a watercolor painting. The neutrality of the colors will complement many different outfits.
Unique Rayon Shawl 'Maya Firebird'
$157.99
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Vijay The colors in this scarf are amazing in person. I bought this as a gift and the person i gave this to has it on in several pictures so i know she gets good use of it
Rayon Scarf Woven by Hand 'Solola Afternoon'
$64.99
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Cindy Gave this as a gift. The recipient loved it. Great quality and beautiful colors.
Hand Crafted Bamboo Chenille Shoulder Bag 'Jade Magic'
$87.99
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Ellen I absolutely LOVE this! The colors are gorgeous and remind me of a forest and it's not heavy, like most handbags are, before you even put anything in them! This will not kill my shoulder!
Hand Made Bamboo Chenille Shoulder Bag 'Magic Forest'
$87.99
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Steve I purchased this bag in 04/18 and have used it daily ever since. I love it! It's the perfect size and the color is neutral enough to go with most everything. The workmanship is outstanding and it still looks brand new. I definitely would recommend this bag as a gift or for yourself.
Hand Dyed and Loomed Hobo Style Handbag in Autumn Colors 'Autumn Day'
$99.99
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Barbara Beautiful bag. Arrived in less than a week. The colours are gorgeous with vibrant autumn hues and craftsmanship perfect. I love this handbag and I will be back to find other pieces. A big Thank you to the artist who created this gorgeous bag.
Purple Green Hand Crafted Rayon Scarf 'Iridescent Pastels'
$67.99
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Kit Lia I find everything about this scarf lovely. It is so very beautifully made; the colors and pattern luminous and harmonious. The bamboo rayon is silky-soft and so comfortable, and drapes wonderfully. I wear this work of art with great enjoyment. When I am not wearing it, I hang it up on a wall where I can continue to appreciate it. My scarf is a bit darker than pictured, which is perfect for me. I highly recommend!
Guatemalan Hand Woven Shawl in Blues and Orchids 'Blue Orchids'
$139.99
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Alice This is an absolutely beautiful shawl. The colors are subtle and blended. I love the feel of the rayon which I had forgotten is a synthetic textile based on wood, NOT petrochemicals.
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