Lopez Garcia Family

Lopez Garcia Family handcrafted Guatemalan worry dolls

"My name is Aura Lopez and my family creates quitapena, or 'worry dolls,' which are traditional in Guatemala and Mexico. According to the legend, the Maya princess Ixmucane received a gift from the sun god, making her able to solve any person’s problem. Later, people began creating dolls with whom they'd share their problems. They've become very popular.

"My grandparents said that the way to use them was to take the doll out of the bag or wooden box and tell it your problems and fears. Then, you place the doll under your pillow and, the next day, your problem becomes smaller or can be resolved.

"Nowadays, the worry dolls are very popular and we've been able to make a living creating them. A lot of people in town create these dolls and we've been motivated to improve and carefully create our dolls. We've been able to improve the quality so that our clients receive dolls created with a lot of love.

"Almost all of us who craft worry dolls are women. This allows us to work from home so we can look after our children, check over their homework and make sure they eat well.

"This work has unified us as a family. It has given us group goals to meet and the opportunity to exhibit our work. We feel there are people around the world who value them and this makes us very happy."

Handmade: A Global Artisan Marketplace Guatemala City, Guatemala

"My grandparents said that the way to use them was to take the doll out of the bag or wooden box and tell it your problems and fears. Then, you place the doll under your pillow and, the next day, your problem becomes smaller or can be resolved.

"Nowadays, the worry dolls are very popular and we've been able to make a living creating them. A lot of people in town create these dolls and we've been motivated to improve and carefully create our dolls. We've been able to improve the quality so that our clients receive dolls created with a lot of love.

"Almost all of us who craft worry dolls are women. This allows us to work from home so we can look after our children, check over their homework and make sure they eat well.

"This work has unified us as a family. It has given us group goals to meet and the opportunity to exhibit our work. We feel there are people around the world who value them and this makes us very happy."

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Explore Central America. Rich rainforests and active volcanoes shelter the vestiges of the Mayan civilization that lives on in the languages and the arts of Central America. You'll discover the weaving traditions recorded on the backstrap looms, the glyphs and geometry that define the jewelry and pottery, and the vibrantly-painted folk art statues and masks among all the unique, handcrafted artisan treasures in our Central America Collection.

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Maker BadgeConfronting Adversity

This artist is currently confronting a major life challenge.

Maker BadgeMedia Featured

This artist's work has been featured or recognized in media outlets.

Maker BadgeMicrocredit Financing

Lopez Garcia Family has received a $150 microcredit loan with 0% interest.

Maker BadgeCaring for Children

This artist supports children under the age of 18.

Maker BadgeEnabling Education

This artist is currently supporting and providing for the education of their children, grandchildren, or children in their community, whether it be at the primary, secondary, or university level.

Maker BadgeJob Creator

This artist positively impacts their community through job creation and provides jobs for 2 or more people.

Maker BadgePreserving Traditions

This artist uses traditional techniques handed down through the generations and/or creates culturally significant items, helping keep these traditions alive.

Maker BadgeCovering Basic Needs

This artist striving to supporting their own or their family's basic needs and improve their livelihood.

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Alternate image for Set of 6 Guatemalan Worry Doll Ornaments Crafted by Hand Worry Dolls Share the Love

$37.99

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Set of 6 Guatemalan Worry Doll Ornaments Crafted by Hand 'Worry Dolls Share the Love'

$37.99

Alternate image for Handwoven Cotton Decorative Dolls Set of 100 Worry Doll Village

$84.99

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Handwoven Cotton Decorative Dolls Set of 100 'Worry Doll Village'

$84.99

Alternate image for Handcrafted Guatemalan Worry Dolls Set of 4 Loving Friends

$19.99

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Handcrafted Guatemalan Worry Dolls Set of 4 'Loving Friends'

$19.99

Alternate image for Set of 3 Angel Worry Doll Ornaments from Guatemala Angelic Guards

$34.99

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Set of 3 Angel Worry Doll Ornaments from Guatemala 'Angelic Guards'

$34.99

(1)

Comments

M Mary B The angels are wonderfully crafted. So happy to gift for my daughter in honor of her 3 children

Alternate image for Set of 100 Guatemalan Worry Dolls with Pouch in 100 Cotton The Worry Doll Clan

$89.99

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Set of 100 Guatemalan Worry Dolls with Pouch in 100 Cotton 'The Worry Doll Clan'

$89.99

(4)

Comments

Eulalia My granddaughter loves these little dolls. She puts one doll under her pillow each night after sharing her worry/worries with the doll. In the morning when she wakes up she claims the knotted feeling she usually has in her stomach is gone/lessened.

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Alternate image for Hand Made Cotton Figurines and Bag Set of 12 Guatemala Worry Doll Dancers

$37.99

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Hand Made Cotton Figurines and Bag Set of 12 Guatemala 'Worry Doll Dancers'

$37.99

(3)

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Shirley I LOVE these little worry dolls! They are great as a decoration on a gift or just to give a friend who is going through a hard time. My granddaughters sleep with one under their pillows, to "take their worries away."

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Alternate image for Guatemalan Set of 4 Handcrafted Cotton Sloth Ornaments Vivacious Sloths

$29.99

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Guatemalan Set of 4 Handcrafted Cotton Sloth Ornaments 'Vivacious Sloths'

$29.99

Alternate image for Worry Dolls with 100 Cotton Pouch from Guatemala Set of 6 Joined in Love

$19.99

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Worry Dolls with 100 Cotton Pouch from Guatemala Set of 6 'Joined in Love'

$19.99

(5)

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Gwenaelle I love these tiny little dolls! They are so cute and I love their story. I've given them to my kids and my students to bring them comfort when they go though a hard time.

4 more comments