Weaving Heart Women'S Group

hand-loomed cotton table linens

The Weaving Heart group has united more than 200 women from San Martin Jilotepeque who have worked ... read more

Empowering Women The Women's Empowerment badge is awarded to female artisans or artisan groups that are led by women. Enabling 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. Job Creator This artist positively impacts their community through job creation and provides jobs for 2 or more people. Confronting Adversity This artist is currently confronting a major life challenge. Covering Basic Needs This artist striving to supporting their own or their family's basic needs and improve their livelihood. Preserving Traditions This artist uses traditional techniques handed down through the generations and/or creates culturally significant items, helping keep these traditions alive. Profound Impact Every purchase from this artist has a profound impact on their livelihood and income.

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Central America Artisan Empowerment Hu

Explore Central America. Rich rainforests and acti ... about

Weaving Heart Women'S Group

The Weaving Heart group has united more than 200 women from San Martin Jilotepeque who have worked together since 2007, keeping alive the Maya tradition of backstrap weaving. Their goal is to generate income and jobs in the rural communities. The group has received assistance from the Inter-American Foundation and from Tikonel that includes learning, training, product development and marketing as well as administration, and technical help.

Angelica Castro, one of the weavers explains. "All of us are from San Martin Jilotepeque. Its a beautiful community, surrounded by trees and flowers. Ever since I was a little girl, I enjoyed watching my mother create her weavings and I loved to see how the colored threads gave life to her textiles.

"I began learning to weave at the age of six, but I didnt start helping my mother weave little huipil blouses to sell until I was ten. She needed my help, because that way we had more money for food and firewood. Even so, I thank my mother – she always insisted that I study. I didnt finish high school, but I finished elementary school.

"What I like most about weaving is that each design or drawing that I capture in the textiles transmits the culture of my Kaqchikel Maya roots and the beauty of the flora and fauna of our wonderful country.

"We are a solid rural group of women entrepreneurs, capable of promoting womens participation in local economic development. Thanks to our hard work and the support weve received, we are able to offer textiles and home accessories of excellent quality.

"In addition to weaving, weve learned, taught and implemented many environmentally responsible practices in our workshop and in the homes of the women weavers. For example, we make and use organic fertilizers for our crops and we recycle everything we can. Also, our designs are woven with certified cotton, some of them combined with wood from volunteer plantations governed by the forest laws of Guatemala.

"We are proud of our work, of what weve achieved in such a short time. We want you to know that our work is made with love and quality. Thats why we call ourselves the Weaving Heart."

Central America Artisan Empowerment Hu

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 BadgeEmpowering Women

The Women's Empowerment badge is awarded to female artisans or artisan groups that are led by women.

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 BadgeConfronting Adversity

This artist is currently confronting a major life challenge.

Maker BadgeCovering Basic Needs

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

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 BadgeProfound Impact

Every purchase from this artist has a profound impact on their livelihood and income.

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