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LAURA
What do you do and what is your specialty?
I am a home maker, I run my family business, and I am an artisan.
How did you begin working with your craft?
My path in handicrafts began at 12, under my uncle's guidance in our small town. He ran a handicraft business and a local hotel, and it was through selling his products on the streets that I discovered my passion for entrepreneurship. This early experience, filled with vibrant colors and intricate designs, sparked my dream of someday running my own cooperative to showcase local crafts.
This dream gained clarity when I met Francisco, and together, we embarked on creating our own handicraft business, a journey we've shared for 18 years. My father, though not wealthy, gifted me with invaluable business wisdom and a small investment. With this, Francisco and I started our venture, gradually nurturing it into the flourishing business it is today.
What is your dream/aspiration?
My dream is to keep working and to finish building my house. If God allows it, one day I wish to travel to see where Giovanna sells my products in the United States.
How has working with Lumily impacted your life?
For the last 13 years, Lumily has impacted my life by allowing me to grow economically so I can keep building onto my house and to continue being able to send my two kids to school.
What is your favorite part of your job?
My favorite part is that I’m always learning new things and we are always making new designs. But the most important part for me is that Lumily’s customers like my work and that Giovanna has become a part of my family.
REBECA
What do you do and what is your specialty?
I specialize in crafting felted ornaments, friendship bracelets, and woven bags, with a particular focus on embroidery.
How did you begin working with your craft?
From a young age, in the heart of my small town, I was cradled in the rich traditions of weaving and embroidery. My mother and aunts, artisans of extraordinary skill, were my first guides into this vibrant world. With each thread and loom in our home, they wove not just fabrics but also the stories and heritage of our ancestors.
As I grew, so did my mastery of the art, shaped by the legacy of these remarkable women. Today, each piece I craft is a testament to their teachings.
What is your dream / aspiration?
I dream of our traditional crafts gaining global recognition. My aspiration is for people worldwide to understand and value the dedication and heritage embodied in each piece we create, keeping our rich cultural tapestry vibrant and alive.
How has working with Lumily impacted your life?
Working with Lumily has expanded my reach beyond our local community, brought financial stability to my family, and opened doors to collaborate with fellow artisans. Knowing that our creations are appreciated worldwide brings a sense of empowerment and pride.
What is your favorite part of your job?
There's a special moment when I complete a piece, seeing the vivid colors and detailed patterns I've woven come together. It's fulfilling to know that these pieces, steeped in our stories and traditions, will spread joy in homes far and wide.
LYN
What do you do and what is your specialty?
I am an artisan from the heart of Chiang Mai, Thailand, with a passion for sewing. My specialty is creating beautiful handbags and home decor, using traditional Thai fabrics.
How did you begin working with your craft?
My journey in this craft began in the my family home, where I watched and learned from the skilled hands of my relatives. Sewing was more than a skill in our household; it was a way of preserving our heritage and telling stories through fabric. I was captivated by the intricate designs and the stories they told, inspiring me to take up the needle and thread myself.
What is your dream / aspiration?
One of my biggest dreams is to open my own shop. I envision a place filled with the colors and textures of Thailand, where each piece tells a story of tradition and creativity. This dream is what guides my work, encouraging me to pour my heart into every stitch.
How has working with Lumily impacted your life?
Working with Lumily has been a transformative chapter in my life. It has not only provided me with a platform to showcase my work to a global audience but has also brought financial stability, allowing me to continue my craft and support my family.
What is your favorite part of your job?
The most fulfilling aspect of my job is the creative process itself – from selecting the perfect fabric to the final stitch. There's an indescribable satisfaction in seeing my creations bring joy to others, bridging cultures and connecting people to the beauty of Thai traditions.
Pranee
What do you do and what is your specialty?
I specialize in making bags, clutches, and coin purses using traditional fabrics. I love collecting vintage fabrics from around the world, particularly from Southeast Asia, and incorporating them into my designs.
How did you begin working with your craft?
My love for vintage fabrics began as a personal hobby. I was always drawn to the history and stories behind these textiles. Gradually, this interest turned into a craft as I started creating accessories from these beautiful fabrics. The more I worked with them, the more I realized their potential in preserving our heritage and bringing something unique to the market.
What is your dream/aspiration?
My biggest aspiration is to expand the reach of our cooperative. I dream of showcasing our traditional crafts on a global platform, connecting people to the rich heritage of Southeast Asia through our products.
How has working with Lumily impacted your life?
Working with Lumily has been a significant boost. It has helped in sustaining our cooperative, allowing us to reach new markets and supporting the livelihood of the nine women I work with. This collaboration has been crucial in helping us achieve our goals and grow our business.
What is your favorite part of your job?
The most rewarding part of my job is seeing the transformation of vintage fabrics into something modern and stylish, and knowing that through this, we're keeping a part of our history alive. Working with a team of talented women and leading our cooperative is immensely fulfilling, as it not only nurtures my passion but also contributes to the empowerment of my community.
Maria
What do you do and what is your specialty?
I live in the highlands of Guatemala. My craft is beading, a skill I learned from my grandmother. It's a tradition in our family and in our community. I create intricate beadwork, making everything from jewelry to decorative items that reflect our rich cultural heritage.
How did you begin working with your craft?
My journey with beading started very early. As a child, I was always fascinated by the beads, playing with them whenever I got the chance. My grandmother was my teacher; she had the most amazing skills. My mother, however, insisted that I focus on my studies first. So, it wasn't until I turned 15 that I officially started working with beads. My education helped me a lot, not just in beading but in understanding how to run a business and work with others.
What is your dream/aspiration?
My biggest dream is to see our cooperative grow and to help more women in our town become financially independent through beading. I want to create a space where we can all come together, share our skills, and keep our traditions alive, passing them down to the next generations.
How has working with Lumily impacted your life?
Working with Lumily has been a positive changer for us. It has given our cooperative exposure to markets we never dreamed of reaching. This partnership has helped us grow our business and has provided a steady income for the women in our cooperative, which is incredibly empowering.
What is your favorite part of your job?
Seeing the women in our cooperative flourish. It's about more than just beading, it's about building a community, sharing our stories through our craft, and seeing our traditions carried forward.
Abigail
What do you do and what is your specialty?
My craft revolves around using sheep wool to create whimsical wool animals, which I then embellish with intricate embroidery. It’s a unique twist on our town’s traditional use of wool.
How did you begin working with your craft?
I grew up surrounded by wool and the art of crafting with it. My mother, grandmother, and aunts, all skilled in wool crafts, were my mentors. As a child, I was fascinated by the process, from shearing the sheep to turning the wool into beautiful creations. I started by helping them with simple tasks, and over time, developed my own style, focusing on whimsical animal figures.
What is your dream/aspiration?
My dream is to open a workshop in my town. I envision it as a creative hub where local artisans can come to work, learn, and develop new skills. I want it to be a place that nurtures creativity and keeps our traditional crafts alive, while also exploring new ideas.
How has working with Lumily impacted your life?
Working with Lumily has given me an incredible opportunity to showcase my creations to a wider audience. It has helped me grow my business and brought me closer to realizing my dream of opening a workshop. The partnership has been a source of financial support and has allowed me to collaborate with other artisans, learning and growing together.
What is your favorite part of your job?
I love the sense of community I feel working alongside my family and the prospect of extending this to more artisans in my workshop.