
Set of 6 Striped Cotton Placemats and Napkins from Guatemala 'Country Sunset' Item ID: 2669933055
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"I'm Eladio Chiroy Hernandez and I was born in Guatemala in 1942 as one of ten children. Because we were such a large family, we didn't have a lot of money, but my father began weaving on a traditional handloom and my mother sold his weavings door to door. They worked hard and, thank God, we never lacked an education or missed a meal.
"After finishing primary school, I began learning to weave. I became a teacher and sought to improve by working tirelessly until I achieved my dreams.
"I taught in public schools for 28 years and always set up one or two looms to teach young people how to weave. It was an honor for me to continue with this beautiful art that I learned from my father as a boy. I would dream about becoming like my father — a hardworking and enterprising man.
"I studied at the Universidad de San Carlos and earned a degree in middle school education so I could start teaching mathematics. At the same time, I also created apparel and accessories with handwoven fabrics.
"I designed fabrics, managed workshops and collected weavings from highland towns and villages throughout Western Guatemala for a shop owned by a foreign family.
"Someone once asked me, 'Why do you work for someone else if you have the power to be your own boss in your hands?'
After that, I became more interested in weaving.
"In 1990, I started my own workshop to create textiles for a large chain store. I created my own original designs and they sold well until another company took over and they greatly reduced their line of handicrafts. As a result, I lost many workers and it was difficult to find another market for my work. Now I'm starting over.
"I've visited all 339 municipalities in my beautiful country, learning about the culture, scenery and people, so I know Guatemala has an infinity of opportunities for growth. And what better than through our traditional crafts.
"You have opened up a big door of opportunity for me because I want to keep our Guatemalan weaving artistry from disappearing. Like other crafts, the textile arts enrich our culture.
"I plan to continue weaving for the rest of my life."
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Eladio Chiroy handwoven table linens and home decor
"I'm Eladio Chiroy Hernandez and I was born in Guatemala in 1942 as one of ten children. Because we were such a large family, we didn't have a lot of money, but my father began weaving on a traditional handloom and my mother sold his weavings door to door. They worked hard and, thank God, we never lacked an education or missed a meal.
"After finishing primary school, I began learning to weave. I became a teacher and sought to improve by working tirelessly until I achieved my dreams.
"I taught in public schools for 28 years and always set up one or two looms to teach young people how to weave. It was an honor for me to continue with this beautiful art that I learned from my father as a boy. I would dream about becoming like my father — a hardworking and enterprising man.
"I studied at the Universidad de San Carlos and earned a degree in middle school education so I could start teaching mathematics. At the same time, I also created apparel and accessories with handwoven fabrics.
"I designed fabrics, managed workshops and collected weavings from highland towns and villages throughout Western Guatemala for a shop owned by a foreign family.
"Someone once asked me, 'Why do you work for someone else if you have the power to be your own boss in your hands?'
After that, I became more interested in weaving.
"In 1990, I started my own workshop to create textiles for a large chain store. I created my own original designs and they sold well until another company took over and they greatly reduced their line of handicrafts. As a result, I lost many workers and it was difficult to find another market for my work. Now I'm starting over.
"I've visited all 339 municipalities in my beautiful country, learning about the culture, scenery and people, so I know Guatemala has an infinity of opportunities for growth. And what better than through our traditional crafts.
"You have opened up a big door of opportunity for me because I want to keep our Guatemalan weaving artistry from disappearing. Like other crafts, the textile arts enrich our culture.
"I plan to continue weaving for the rest of my life."
"After finishing primary school, I began learning to weave. I became a teacher and sought to improve by working tirelessly until I achieved my dreams.
"I taught in public schools for 28 years and always set up one or two looms to teach young people how to weave. It was an honor for me to continue with this beautiful art that I learned from my father as a boy. I would dream about becoming like my father — a hardworking and enterprising man.
"I studied at the Universidad de San Carlos and earned a degree in middle school education so I could start teaching mathematics. At the same time, I also created apparel and accessories with handwoven fabrics.
"I designed fabrics, managed workshops and collected weavings from highland towns and villages throughout Western Guatemala for a shop owned by a foreign family.
"Someone once asked me, 'Why do you work for someone else if you have the power to be your own boss in your hands?'
After that, I became more interested in weaving.
"In 1990, I started my own workshop to create textiles for a large chain store. I created my own original designs and they sold well until another company took over and they greatly reduced their line of handicrafts. As a result, I lost many workers and it was difficult to find another market for my work. Now I'm starting over.
"I've visited all 339 municipalities in my beautiful country, learning about the culture, scenery and people, so I know Guatemala has an infinity of opportunities for growth. And what better than through our traditional crafts.
"You have opened up a big door of opportunity for me because I want to keep our Guatemalan weaving artistry from disappearing. Like other crafts, the textile arts enrich our culture.
"I plan to continue weaving for the rest of my life."

Central America Artisan Empowerment Hub
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.
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
Eladio uses a handloom to create his textiles. He was taught by his father at a young age and he recognizes its importance to Guatemalan culture and history. Before he started weaving as a NOVICA artist, he was a school teacher and kept a handloom in his classroom so he could teach any students that were interested in weaving.
Maker BadgeMoving On Up
This artist has dramatically improved their livelihood by working with NOVICA.
Maker BadgeEmpowering Women
The Women's Empowerment badge is awarded to female artisans or artisan groups that are led by women.
Maker BadgeElder Master
This artist is an elder master and continues to actively practice their craft.
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