Meet the Artisans

The word 'Artisan' in Colombia represents highly skilled craftspeople who have learned their skills and techniques, from their own family, in their own home.

Most artisans have had little education yet they proudly operate their own traditional businesses.

As their businesses are their main source of income to support their families, they work tirelessly to overcome many obstacles to achieve their dreams of being valued and economically independent. 

Casa Bonita’s purpose is to:

• respect and work with the Artisans traditional business model
• economically empower Artisans and Indigenous women and their businesses 
• encourage creativity of each Artisan’s skills through collaborations in designing and curating our exclusive one-of-a-kind collections 
• assist in preserving the Artisans traditional techniques, so they impart to future generations 
• teach the Artisans export procedures and to share our alliances and supply chain

Casa Bonita is committed to connecting our customers with each Artisan; their products, culture, traditions, families and dreams! 

Supporting Casa Bonita gives YOU:

• Power to positively impact the lives of 100’s of Indigenous communities
• Peace of Mind that artisans are paid a fair price for their products⁠
• Insight into their culture and businesses, enabling longevity of their traditions
• Knowledge that all products are ethical, sustainable and cruelty free
• Good Karma for supporting women both in South America and Australia ⁠

…and a colourful, unique and authentic shopping experience!

Maria Stella Penaloza Mora

Los Patios, Norte de Santander, Colombia

 As a master Artisan, Stella combines textile remnants, with sustainable and eco-friendly practices to create a diverse range of beautiful and cultural products.

Stella specialises in handcrafted colourful, fun and culturally significant toys and products  to connect adults and children with Colombian culture.

Additionally, Stella transforms colourful lycra remnants into unique, light and elegant pom-pom drop earrings.

Materials:

Remnants of manufactured fabric waste

Products:

Pom-pom drop earrings 

Cultural dolls 

Cultural toys 

Cultural buntings

Ethically and Sustainably Sourced:

Stella lives in one of the largest fashion manufacturing areas in Colombia, which allows for access to collecting and recycling fabric and textile waste. 

 All of her products are handcrafted from recycled materials and upcycled into culturally significant products and fashion accessories.

Casa Bonita deals directly and respectively with the Artisans and payments are made both on ordering and completion of orders.

 All of Stella’s products are made exclusively by hand, using recycled textiles and Artisan techniques, eliminating any machine emissions.

The recycling and upcycling that Stella specialises in, creates advantages for  both environmental and sustainable economics.

Interview 2022

Is it a family business? Do you employ other people, or do you buy from other Artisans?

My mother and people from nearby villages are involved in the business. We employ 4 people (2 young ladies and 2 women) from the community who are from different villages.

What technique do you use? Detail the process and tell us what makes these products so unique.

We use textile techniques, reuse scraps of cloth, and work by hand to produce the "wayunquera", the “año viejo”, the Latin animal mobiles, the earrings, the diadems and the "quita pesares" (small dolls). We assemble the clothes, then they put them on the dolls, sew them and put the buttons on it. I  make the base, and the others do the final touches. 

What materials do you use?

We only use recycled cotton materials, buttons, and synthetic stuffing for the dolls.  

Do you impact the community? How?

We create economic freedom for women because we help them to generate incomes from their homes. They have also broken the stereotype that sewing is for girls, since children come from other villages to take the workshop given by me. The children like it very much because they learn and feel listened to.

How many people benefit from Casa Bonita's purchases?

8 women in total: Maria, 4 ladies, her mother, the housekeeper, and the domiciliary.

Social Impact: