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!
Rosa Queragama
Risaralda, Colombia
The Embera Chami Indigenous Jewellery was originally made with the purpose of granting distinction to the woman who wore it, by telling her story and displaying her role in the community.
At the Indigenous owned business, the Embera Chami Indigenous Community, Rosa re-creates traditional and bespoke, intricate and exquisitely beaded jewellry.
Rosa and her family now live in Bogotá, having been displaced and forced to leave their home due to conflict and violence.
Rosa’s unique and elaborate beaded jewellry, combines hundreds of colourful miniature glass beads with cultural designs, representing Mother Nature's healing energy, ancestral and matriarchal power and Indigenous cultural connections.
Rosa’s beadwork is created exclusively by needle-weaving and hand-threading, while a handloom is used for rectangular pieces from small bracelets to large chestlaces.
Materials:
Glass beads
Natural threads
Silver 925 fittings
Products:
Earrings
Necklaces
Bracelets
Chestlaces
Ethically and Sustainably Sourced:
Casa Bonita deals directly and respectively with the Artisans and payments are made both on ordering and completion of orders.
All Embera Chami products are made exclusively by hand using traditional techniques, eliminating any machine emissions.
The Embera Chami Indigenous Community jewellery advantages both environmental and sustainable economics.
Interview 2022
Is it a family business? Do you employ other people or do you buy from other Artisans?
The community hand weave all the necklaces. They make everything themselves. I also work individually.
What technique do you use? Detail the process and tell us what makes these products so unique.
They imagine their own designs and shape them with their mother’s techniques. Their thoughts are reflected in the designs that are inspired by what mother earth gives us. Their products are unique because they are typical of the Embera culture and they reflect who we are. They are 100% Indigenous, they are legitimate, and their culture is intact.
What materials do you use?
They use glass beads, threads, needles and scissors to cut the threads.
Do you impact the community? How?
The mums teach the community members who don’t know about the design, the meaning and the colours of the products. In the city they exchange their art with non-Indigenous for economic recognition, so they promote empowerment and independence.
How many people benefit from Casa Bonita's purchases?
7 persons in total, including herself, her husband, 5 children (3 girls and 2 boys)
Social Impact:
- provides financial security to Artisans and Indigenous tribes and their families
- empowers women’s economic independence
- evokes self value and quality of life for the Artisans
- creates legitimate employment opportunities for their communities
- supports environmentally friendly business practices
- encourages creativity, and a sense of personal and group pride
- acknowledges cultural identity and traditions
- preserves and shares Ancestral and Indigenous techniques for future generations