Jacqueline De Leon

Artisan Organization: Jacqueline De Leon

Country: Central America

"Hello everyone! My name is Jacqueline De Leon, and I want to share a bit about my life and my passion for art and craftsmanship. During my childhood, I lived with my brother, cousins, grandmother, great-grandfather, and uncles. My great-grandfather had many manual skills, and I loved listening to his stories from his youth. Even though city life changed his way of working, I was always surrounded by books and notebooks that sparked my love for learning. After graduating in legal science, I worked for over 12 years in an NGO, training leaders and entrepreneurs in different areas. But with two children, my job became complicated, and I decided to pursue my passion for craftsmanship.

"I started in 2013 and gradually grew until I had my own workshop for sewing, design, and dyeing. I love working with fabrics and natural dyes; every time I see a fabric, my mind starts creating new ideas. My art is inspired by my family, and my children are my greatest motivation. I seek to grow and expand the range of products without losing sight of who I am. My art is closely related to the history, traditions, and customs of El Salvador. Indigo is a historical and cultural legacy used in pre-Columbian times for textiles and ceramics.

"As for my creative process, I am always looking to learn something new. I am self-taught in the indigo dyeing process, and I have read a lot about the topic. Additionally, I have taken sewing courses and have learned to overcome the fear of starting from scratch. The most beautiful part of my art is when I package each piece. Seeing my efforts completed after a long process is very rewarding.

One of the biggest challenges I have faced is establishing myself as a craftswoman in a male-dominated world. But with perseverance and patience, I have managed to overcome obstacles and grow every day. I want to thank Novica for helping me to share my art with the world. I will continue working every day to offer new ideas and grow as a craftswoman.""