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100% HANDMADE PROCESS

↡100% dependent on the human touch, not machines↡

Backstrap Loom

A backstrap loom is a traditional weaving tool used by indigenous artisans in Guatemala. Moving their bodies back and forth to tighten and loosen the tension, the weaver's body is practically part of the loom and the weaving.

Hiptipico Artisan Partners, Guatemalan Artisan, Artisan Women, Hiptipico Partnership, Hiptipico Relationship

Urdidora

The urdidora is used prior to weaving and is the tool needed to separate the thread. This is the raw creative moment when the female artisan engages in her personal design and self-expression.

Foot Pedal Loom

A pedal-loom is an artisanal weaving method that uses the artisan's feet to alternately lift and lower the thread. A more stationary weaving process, these looms can get quite large and are operated by both men and women.

Embroidery

Hand embroidery is the intricate technique used to create our floral straps with needle and thread. The entire handmade process of embroidery is 100% dependent on human touch, not machines!

Hand-woven

The hand-woven brocade technique is much more difficult than standard needlepoint embroidery. “Tejido a mano" is when the artisan uses a backstrap loom to weave the textile and then embellishes on top with a traditional pattern. The intricate brocade weft is not structurally necessary but undoubtedly aesthetically breathtaking. 

Natural Dye

This technique is used by our female Tzu'utujil artisan partners in San Juan la Laguna, using purely botanical elements to create an entirely eco-friendly product. The women obtain coloring from local plants, bark, vegetables, and fruits such as hibiscus flowers, coconut shells, achiote, and avocado trees!

Leather

Our leather is locally sourced and manipulated by our skilled leather artisans in small home workshops. Our artisan partners use traditional techniques for cutting, stitching, tooling and stamping by hand.

Sustainably Sourced

Every textile we source from the local market is designed and crafted by a single artisan. We do not interfere with the artist's creative process, so you get the unfiltered authenticity of the indigenous traditions of Guatemala.