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Travel Log & Pictures scan0008a.jpg (51784 bytes)

scan0006b.jpg (75605 bytes)For most fair traders, the most rewarding aspect of our work is the process of sourcing unique and exciting products and spending time with the talented artisans who make these wonderful crafts. Recently I returned to Guatemala to meet with several of our artisan cooperatives. I knew that the country had been hit hard over the last several years by hurricanes and devastating mud slides. 

I traveled with our long-time Guatemalan partners Cecilia, Carmen, and Gabriela, and  Ron Powers, a former Board Chair for an international development organization and long-time advocate of Fair Trade and other self-help approaches to combating poverty in the developing world.

peacock 008.jpg (195186 bytes)During the week, we traveled from Antigua to the Western highlands. It was a hard trip and we were side-tracked by the many roads that had been washed out, but we laughed a lot, heard some fabulous Latin music, met many wonderful artisans. 

The first cooperative we met with works out of a small hospital in Chimaltenango. The women [see them to right] hand-weave fabulous textiles andtbgroup1b.jpg (170198 bytes) we had heard about their work.  We worked with them for most of a day to design a new embroidered tablecloth that will be available soon. We are already offering their hand-woven scarves. Their tools are quite basic, but their talent is anything but! This group had never before had an opportunity to export their crafts and this opportunity should substantially increase their incomes.

lake2.jpg (25777 bytes)Another of the highlights of the trip was to meet with the Mayan cooperative in San Antonio Palopo which produces our amazing ceramic and stoneware crafts. The clay in the region is perfect to  create stoneware vases, mugs, and crosses [see to right]. The cooperative was started by an American "expat", Ken Edwards, who has traveled extensively to find the right clay to make fine stoneware. What he found next to Lake Atitlan [see picture to left] was more than he could ever dream of--wonderful clay and some of the most talented Mayan artisans in Guatemala who were eager to learn a new craft. Seven Mayan families now worknewcross.jpg (147446 bytes) with Ken in their cooperative enterprise. They hand paint each piece and each is unique. All the work is done with kilns and  wheels they have built in their small shop [see picture to right ]. They had some limited export experience selling their ceramic animals to another fair scan0002.jpg (23175 bytes) trade organization, but we have substantially increased their sales internationally by offering a wide variety of their products  through this site and through our wholesale distribution network. Just in the last year, we have imported more than 5000 pieces from this cooperative.

 

scan0004.jpg (33035 bytes)While in the region, we also visited the largest artisan group that we work with in CHUCAM, a community located inscan0009.jpg (23393 bytes) the  Department of El Quiche, Guatemala. We work with dozens of families in the village which make the patchwork for producing quilts, tapestries, pillow covers and other textiles. They are very poor but the women know the ancestral art of weaving and they have found in this activity a very important source of income to give a better life to their decguatecoopb.jpg (280654 bytes)children. These wonderful women learned to weave when they were very young because they make their own clothes. They usually weave in waist mills. Their blouses called “huipiles” have symbols which represent the universe, corn, and birds. These are the designs incorporated into the textiles we sell. We have worked with these artisans for almost 5 years. They are at the heart of what Fair Trade Quilts & Crafts has tried to accomplish over the last 7 years.

When the trip was over, I felt rejuvenated and happy that we had started Fair Trade Quilts & Crafts 7 yearsscan0015a.jpg (32887 bytes) ago. I feel very proud to work withgreenmugsandover.jpg (60042 bytes) these fabulous Guatemalan artisans, and those we support in Central Asia & India. I know that the work we provide them makes it possible for them to earn a living wage, and by expanding their market to the US, we make it possible for them to improve the lives of their families and strengthen their communities.  Thank you for making this a reality!

 

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Thank you for supporting Fair Trade!

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We are pleased to share some of the people we meet and places we visit as we pursue wonderful new crafts for Fair Trade Quilts & Crafts!

000_0020peacockscarf.jpg (243532 bytes)May Special! A Beautiful Woven Silk Peacock Scarf, 12 x 66 inches free with Every  Purchase000_0009peacockbag1.jpg (369738 bytes) of $100 or more until May 31st.  Plus, an Embroidered Peacock Shoulder Bag, lined with inside pocket, 14 x 12 inches, Zipper close. Free with any purchase of $200.00 or more. 

Also, A Free Handmade Card when you send your purchase as a gift to friends or family. See the  "Ordering Info." Page for Details. 
We offer Sale Items, Overstocks, Irregulars, and One-of-a-Kind Crafts on our Overstocks & Sales Page
And Remember, orders ship within 1 Bus. Day and there is always Free Shipping in the Continental US.

More Pictures!

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Thank You For Your Support!

Questions? Click here: info@fairtradequilts.com

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Boys playing

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A Guatemalan woman's Huipile

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A beautiful smile

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A single Lily

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A harbor on Lake Atitlan

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A big brother to watch over me!

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Lake Atitlan w/ Volcano in the distance

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Sewing the backing on a Guatemalan quilt

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Another beautiful smile

Home

Guatemalan
Quilts & Crafts

Kuchi Textiles

Indian Crafts,
Bedspreads

Table Cloths, Scarves & Jewelry 

Moroccan Rugs 

Ceramics, Dolls & Crafts 

Pillow Covers 

Gift Ideas

Tapestries & Throws

Overstocks & Sales

Handbags

Travel Log & Pictures

Crafts Made From Recycled Materials 

Ordering
Info & FAQs

Testimonials & Fair Trade Principals