I love taking pictures of our women artisans when they are weaving and thought I would post some of my favorite pictures. These were taken in the last couple of years in the western highlands of Guatemala.
Be sure to
check out our YouTube videos for backstrap weaving
in action!
Enjoy!
One of our artisan groups recently received an interest free loan from us to build a new store in order to better display and sell their handcrafts. Education And More believes a micro-credit loan is an incredible blessing for the artisan group especially since we gave it on an interest free basis. The amount of repayment each month was determined at a meeting of the group and is an amount that is small enough to not be a burden on the group.
Signing papers to receive micro-credit loan
Artisan Weaver
The women need this little store to have an ongoing presence with their weavings and handcrafts to the tourists in their village, however, it won’t be built until January after coffee harvest. Coffee harvest time is during November and December and during coffee harvest the entire family goes to the mountains to pick coffee returning to their homes only on Sundays to go to church and to rest.
Coffee that is ready to be picked
Children are on summer vacation from school during November and December so they too pick coffee. With the whole family working it gives much needed extra income for the family for the upcoming year.
So the store will be built in January after coffee harvest winds down and they have time to build.
We wish them much success with their new store and will have an update in January.
Weaving Notecard
This in our newest Fair Trade artisan handcraft and will be coming out soon!
A blank notecard that has a beautiful weaving on the front and can be removed and used about the home. There will be several designs and colors on the different weavings. The weaving is 100% cotton and the card and envelope are 100% recycled paper! The
Handwoven on looms by Mayan artisans in Guatemala — every sale helps women support their families and educate their children.
Back of Notecard
Watch this blog for more information on ordering.
What is the value of these purses? Which has the greater value?
What is the difference?
purse vs purse
What is the difference in cost between these two purses ?
What is the difference in value?
What is the difference between a sweat shop—– and work in a home setting — for the worker?
What is the difference between a Fair Trade wage and a sweat shop wage — when trying to feed, educate and support a family?
What is the difference of the environmental impact between a handmade vs machine made, sweatshop purse?
What is the difference in human dignity when your work is valued in a cooperative workplace as opposed to a sweatshop?
What is the difference in the human costs?
Just what is the difference?
What do you value?
Have you ever seen an actual backstrap weaving loom? They are a very simple loom, utilizing only a few wooden rods and the yarn to weave with. To see one of our Mayan artisans weaving with one look at this video posted on You Tube at:
We have several actual Mayan backstrap weaving looms in our World of Good listings –These are fixed to secure them so they can be hung on the wall as decor but untie them and you could sit down and begin weaving.
Mayan Backstrap Weaving Loom
So if you need a unique gift for a weaver in your family check out all our looms ! Remember, with your purchase you are helping women earn a Fair Trade income and help support their families!
Education and More would like to thank Scarbrough, International for all their help with our shipments from Guatemala! Importing the handcrafts is very complicated and we really appreciate the staff at Scarbrough Intl.
They are very diligent and knowledgeable in shipping and in routing our shipments of Guatemalan artisan handcrafts and also serving as our Customs Broker during the import process.
Their recent newsletter highlights our organization and we appreciate this!
Thanks to all the staff at Scarbrough!
During our July trip to visit Artesanas T’zaput in Guatemala we were presented with this wall hanging in appreciation for our work and help to the group.
The group wove the fabric and then hand stitched the message to our Board of Directors “in grateful appreciation for the grant, materials and orders” and goes on to say they hope that God will help our association.
This is a very special group of women and are always so appreciative of our help. They need our help so badly — many women have dirt floor homes and and an open pit to cook on– but they are also so giving and loving with us that we are humbled every time we meet with them.
Our association and close working relationship continues to grow with love and respect! Several in this group would like to learn English so we are working on plans to provide this to group and family members that are interested.
Just because you can’t go to Guatemala doesn’t mean you can’t help our impoverished women artisans!
We are looking for volunteers to host a Fair Trade handcraft party in their home or at their church. Just set a date and invite your friends over to look at beautiful handcrafted jewelry, purses, weavings such as napkins, placemats and table runners, keychains and so much more!
Bazaar at Ecumenical Christian Ministries
You could also set up a bazaar at your church on a Sunday and make a tremendous impact for the artisans. Remember — each sale makes a big difference in their lives!
Email us at — moreinfo@educationandmore.org to learn more about hosting a bazaar or party or check out this webpage on our Education And More website.
Have you seen some of our new purses in our World of Good listings??
Artisan handcrafted on a backstrap loom
Long shoulder strap on this wonderfully soft handcrafted purse
The dye for these yarns are from local plants in Guatemala!
You can see these and many more at our listings on
Recently we received another handcraft shipment and we are now in the process of listing these new Fair Trade handcrafts on our World of Good web listings. Some of our new eco-friendly lanyards — ID badgeholders– include some rugged looking ones that are made of wood beads– great for men or those casual days at the office.
Or have you seen the stunning hand beaded cross necklaces? These 3 dimensional crosses are a wonderful gift to yourself or a friend. Check all the listings for the other colors.
We appreciate all your purchases because each and every sale helps the artisan that produced the handcraft. She is able to feed her family better and keep the children in school.
You can check out all the new items at our homepage — just click on ‘See All’
Check back often for more new items and we will report on more as we have them available.
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