Erick and Ivania

Artisan Organization: Erick and Ivania

Country: Central America

"We're an artisan couple and would like to tell you a bit about how we met, and how we decided to work together.

"When we met in 2009, we realized we had many interests in common, like design and crafting. This brought us together to look for different kinds of objects we could create. We first began working with rubber to craft jewelry and small accessories. Today, along the way, we've become a couple and a family. We've done consulting focused on artisan design and the development of new items.

"A few years ago, we returned to our original project and began designing and developing leather items. Finally, we decided to continue with this versatile material creating quality designs. As a couple, our mission is to focus on handmade designs with excellent quality that are functional for our shoppers.

"Like everyone, we've had challenges along the way. Some of the toughest were when we didn't have money to invest in our workshop, but this year we've worked extra hard and are much closer to our goals.

"We work hand in hand with expert artisans who work with techniques that inspire us. We've had the opportunity to know many creative people from all over Guatemala and this has inspired us and let us create collections oriented toward each crafting technique. Fortunately, we have excellent working relations and are friends with master artisans, and our success had become their success as well.

"This work has had a huge impact on our lives because designing and developing products is so inspiring! Handmade is fundamental to us. We believe we can achieve what we set out to do.

"Together, we've shared moments of happiness, pride and frustration. Every one of them have been importion, as they make us to focus on our objectives to continue advancing in our projects and objectives. They force us to adapt to change. We believe every experience has a positive side, because we can always learn something from every situation.

"One of the reasons we do this work is to preserve the traditions of our country through handmade art and also to interchange knowledge with master artisans.""