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!
Las Juanitas Single Mothers Association
Sandoná, Nariño, South Colombia
The Las Juanitas are an award winning Association, consisting of 200 + artisans; mostly women, single mums, farm workers, Indigenous and displaced women (due to violence in their hometowns).
Every weekend, the women travel from their homes to gather at a workshop in Sandoná, where they work in groups, organizing their materials, and practicing traditional designs and techniques.
During the week after they finish working on the farms and caring for their families, they work on their exquisitely handwoven and exceptionally detailed Iraca Palm masterpieces.
Our talented Artisan partners convert the Iraca Palm fibres from the Andes into finer threads, which they then transform them into functional works of art, by applying traditional and ancestral techniques that represent their cultural identity.
The finest threads are used exclusively for the Fedora/Panama hats, however slightly thicker threads are used for high-end fashion accessories, contemporary homewares, eclectic gifts and celebration décor.
Casa Bonita offers a diverse and beautiful collection of ethically handcrafted Iraca Palm products to be owned and treasured.
Materials:
Iraca Palm fibres (Carludovica palmata)
Natural dyes
Products:
Authentic Fedora/Panama Hats
Earrings
Baskets
Fans
Celebration Decor
Storage Hampers
Planters
Lampshades
Hen Baskets
Napkin Rings
Keyrings
Ethically and Sustainably Sourced:
The Iraca Palm has been handwoven for generations by the people of this region.
The mature Iraca Palm buds and young leaves are harvested, dried, bundled and sold at the markets.
The Artisans then select only the highest quality, to be used in their natural tones or hand dyed, before weaving handcrafted works of art.
Casa Bonita deals directly and respectively with the Artisans and payments are made both on ordering and completion of orders.
All Iraca Palm products are made exclusively by hand using traditional techniques, eliminating any machine emissions.
More than 2,300 Artisan families in Sandona, derive their livelihood from weaving these sustainable, durable and flexible Iraca Palm fibres, creating timeless, unique and versatile fashion accessories and homewares.
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