Bernardo Villalta

Artisan Organization: Bernardo Villalta

Country: Central America

"My name is Bernardo Villalta Muñóz, and I was born and raised in the city of San José, Costa Rica, where my entire family lives. I have two sisters and one brother. My mother used to work in designing and tailoring clothes for girls, and I always saw her working with love and passion. I have no doubt that this is where my love for art began.

"After finishing high school, I entered university without much success. It was during that time that I met some leather artisans who encouraged me to learn their craft. My first experience as an artisan was working with leather, and the first thing I learned to make were huaraches (sandals). Later, I learned different leather stitching techniques and started making other products like hats, vests, and more.

"A few years later, I was invited to take a bamboo furniture course taught by professors from Taiwan. It took me almost two years to complete, but it was an incredible experience that sparked my interest and passion. Since then, I have been working in this field.

"I started by making jewelry and various types of furniture, gradually selling them and building trust with my customers. I began to establish a reputation, and like everything in life, I faced both successes and challenges. However, I have learned a great deal from each experience.

"As a tropical country, bamboo is abundant in these regions, so we are fortunate. As human beings, it is important for us to give back to nature, and one way to do that is by creating eco-friendly products. We cannot wait for someone else to make a change; we must start with ourselves and set an example for future generations. Nature gives us so much every day, and it is a pleasure for me to create these products that are not only beautiful but also practical for everyday use.

"As an artisan, I seek opportunities every day to progress and make myself known. Platforms like Novica enable artisans to do just that, and it fills me with indescribable excitement. Unfortunately, the pandemic has disrupted many things, but faith and perseverance have allowed us to continue. The struggle is a daily one, and it brings me joy to present these products to people all around the world. I assure you that each product is unique, with bamboo and precious stones that have details unlike any other piece. I create them with love and dedication so that you can appreciate them and have a piece of Bernardo and Costa Rica.

"¬°Pura Vida!""