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Central American Women's Accessories
230 items
Central America
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Zigzag Brocade, 2 Handwoven Cotton Masks in Green Brocades & Solid Brown
Emma Gutierrez
$9.99 Wholesale$9.99 -
Hillside Lullaby, Unique Central American Embroidered Yellow Shawl
Nu'Kem Association of Textile Artisans
$67.99 Wholesale$84.99$67.99 -
Practical Beauty, Handcrafted Leather Mask and Eyeglass Lanyard
Rebeca Zamora
$34.99 Wholesale$34.99 -
Cheerful Squares, 2 Handwoven Cotton Masks in Green Check & Solid Blue
Emma Gutierrez
$9.99 Wholesale$9.99 -
Pastel Gumdrops, Backstrap Handwoven Pastel Cotton Scarf from Guatemala
Elena Ixtamer
$59.99 Wholesale$59.99 -
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Iridescent Ocher, Ocher and Copper Hand Woven Rayon Scarf
K'amolon K'i K'ojonel
$59.99 Wholesale$59.99 -
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Cheerful Style, Set of 6 Upcycled Eco-Friendly Multicolored Mini Scrunchies
Lopez Garcia Family
$11.99 Wholesale$14.99$11.99 -
Fret Chic in Red, Red Cotton Blend Scarf with Black Stepped-Fret Rhombus Motif
Miguel Hernandez
$44.99 Wholesale$44.99 -
Pink Fusion, Pink Textured Fringed Cotton Scarf Hand-Woven in Guatemala
Elena Ixtamer
$99.99 Wholesale$99.99 -
Iridescent Sunset, Handwoven Orange and Purple Bamboo Rayon Fringed Scarf
K'amolon K'i K'ojonel
$59.99 Wholesale$59.99 -
Eco Fantasy, Artisan Crafted Cotton Striped Scarf
Yama Aj Chixot Artisan Group
$37.99 Wholesale$37.99 -
Valley in the Sun, Hand Woven Cotton Shawl in Reds and Browns
Creative Artisan Women's Group
$59.99 Wholesale$59.99 -
Geometric Fire, Hand-Woven Textured Fringed Cotton Scarf in Yellow and Red
Elena Ixtamer
$99.99 Wholesale$99.99 -
Gift of the Rainbow, Guatemalan Rainbow Colored Rayon Chenille Scarf
K'amolon K'i K'ojonel
$69.99 Wholesale$69.99 -
Blue Orchids, Guatemalan Hand Woven Shawl in Blues and Orchids
K'amolon K'i K'ojonel
$139.99 Wholesale$139.99 -
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Tropical Volcano, Rayon Chenille Patterned Women's Shawl
K'amolon K'i K'ojonel
$129.99 Wholesale$129.99 -
Sweet Grace, Hand Woven Striped Rayon Wrap Scarf from Guatemala
Women Artisans of Santa Cruz
$94.99 Wholesale$94.99 -
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Guanacaste World, Traditional Cotton Sun Hat with Red Piping and 6-Inch Brim
Olivier Thuillard
$94.99 Wholesale$94.99 -
Paprika Spice, Guatemalan Hand Loomed Paprika and Yellow Colored Scarf
Elena Ixtamer
$57.99 Wholesale$57.99 -
Green Maya Brocade, 2 Handwoven 3-Layer Masks in Green Cotton Brocades
Emma Gutierrez
$9.99 Wholesale$9.99 -
Iridescent Green Pastels, Light and Dark Green Hand Woven Rayon Scarf
K'amolon K'i K'ojonel
$67.99 Wholesale$67.99 -
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Waves on the Lake, Backstrap Rayon Handmade Scarf in Blue and Grey
K'amolon K'i K'ojonel
$67.99 Wholesale$67.99 -
Ruby Maya, Red White Patterned Infinity Scarf in Hand Woven Cotton
Yama Aj Chixot Artisan Group
$54.99 Wholesale$54.99 -
Among Threads in Red, Fringed Red Scarf Hand-Woven from Rayon in Guatemala
Elena Ixtamer
$77.99 Wholesale$77.99 -
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Iridescent Pastels, Purple Green Hand Crafted Rayon Scarf
K'amolon K'i K'ojonel
$67.99 Wholesale$67.99 -
Purple Serenade, Hand-Woven Textured Fringed Cotton Scarf in Purple and Pink
Elena Ixtamer
$99.99 Wholesale$99.99 -
Diamond Diva in Green, Handwoven Green Cotton Blend Scarf with Diamond Motif
Miguel Hernandez
$49.99 Wholesale$49.99 -
Mystic Maya Sky, Handwoven Blue and Turquoise Rayon Fiber Scarf
K'amolon K'i K'ojonel
$59.99 Wholesale$59.99 -
Magenta Sunday, Geometric Magenta and Chocolate Cotton Shawl from Guatemala
Elena Ixtamer
$99.99 Wholesale$99.99 -
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Royal Blue Silhouettes, Handwoven Royal Blue Shibori Rayon Shawl from Guatemala
Elena Ixtamer
$104.99 Wholesale$104.99 -
Amethyst Country Garden, Rose and Amethyst Handwoven Guatemalan Cotton Shawl
Elena Ixtamer
$119.99 Wholesale$119.99 -
Viridian Sunday, Geometric Viridian and Honey Cotton Shawl from Guatemala
Elena Ixtamer
$99.99 Wholesale$99.99 -
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Fiery Ethereal Inspiration, Handcrafted Rayon Infinity Scarf
K'amolon K'i K'ojonel
$79.99 Wholesale$79.99 -
Volcano Land, Unique Rayon from Bamboo Chenille Shawl
K'amolon K'i K'ojonel
$139.99 Wholesale$139.99 -
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Autumn Breeze, Artisan Crafted Rayon Chenille Scarf from Central America
K'amolon K'i K'ojonel
$69.99 Wholesale$69.99 -
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Fuchsia Destinies, Handloomed Geometric-Patterned Cotton Shawl in Fuchsia
Elena Ixtamer
$99.99 Wholesale$99.99 -
Chartreuse Sunday, Geometric Chartreuse and Brown Cotton Shawl from Guatemala
Elena Ixtamer
$99.99 Wholesale$99.99 -
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Highland Jacaranda, Artisan Crafted Rayon Chenille Scarf from Guatemala
K'amolon K'i K'ojonel
$67.99 Wholesale$67.99 -
Orange Dreamer, Handwoven Rayon Scarf in Orange and Red from Guatemala
K'amolon K'i K'ojonel
$64.99 Wholesale$64.99 -
Solola Fireworks, Handwoven Rayon Scarf from Central America
K'amolon K'i K'ojonel
$64.99 Wholesale$64.99 -
Precious Teal, Teal and Blue Backstrap Loom Rayon Chenille Scarf
K'amolon K'i K'ojonel
$67.99 Wholesale$67.99 -
Wine Festival, Multicolored Rayon Chenille Scarf from Guatemala
K'amolon K'i K'ojonel
$67.99 Wholesale$67.99 -
Smooth Breeze, Handwoven 100% Rayon Wrap Scarf from Guatemala
K'amolon K'i K'ojonel
$67.99 Wholesale$67.99 -
Crimson Embrace, Red and Burgundy Handwoven Rayon Chenille Scarf
K'amolon K'i K'ojonel
$69.99 Wholesale$69.99 -
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Subtle Illusion, Hand Woven Recycled Cotton Scarf Champagne from Guatemala
Luisa Villavicencio
$117.99 Wholesale$117.99 -
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Blue Cascade, Handwoven Cotton Scarf with Fringes and Stripes in Blue Hues
Miriam and Debora
$74.99 Wholesale$74.99 -
Forever Blue, Backstrap Loom Rayon Handmade Scarf in Blue
K'amolon K'i K'ojonel
$69.99 Wholesale$69.99 -
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Evergreen, Backstrap Rayon Handmade Scarf in Shades of Green
K'amolon K'i K'ojonel
$67.99 Wholesale$67.99 -
Iridescent Mint Pastel, Hand Woven Pastel Blue Green Rayon Scarf
K'amolon K'i K'ojonel
$67.99 Wholesale$67.99 -
Chakra Feather, Handcrafted Crystal Beaded Key Chain with Pewter Charm
Adriana Golcher
$59.99 Wholesale$59.99 -
Heart of the Land, 100% Rayon from Bamboo Chenille Scarf
K'amolon K'i K'ojonel
$67.99 Wholesale$67.99 -
Color and Texture in Rust, Deep Rust Rayon Scarf Hand Woven in Guatemala
Elena Ixtamer
$64.99 Wholesale$64.99 -
Summer Rays, Backstrap Loom Woven Cotton Scarf from Guatemalan Artisan
Elena Ixtamer
$64.99 Wholesale$64.99
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Unique Finds
The Village Council
Your answers straight from the village experts
Hand-washing and dry cleaning are the most common ways to care for and clean shawls. Many of our alpaca shawls specifically indicate dry-cleaning or hand-washing with cold water. Because shawls are delicate, a garment bag is a good way to prevent damage. Avoid direct sunlight and high heat. As always, it is important to follow the care instructions specific to the fabric of your shawl.
The great thing about shawls is that they are versatile. One can find a shawl for every season. Warmth is often based on the tightness of the weave and the type of material used. Alpaca fiber is known for its thermal capacity and provides an optimal degree of warmth. Sheep wool also acts as an insulator, absorbing moisture and creating a feeling of coziness for the wearer. Shawls made of cashmere and pashmina are light and thin, yet still provide a high degree of warmth. In Mexico, shawls made from San Juan Chamula sheep keep one warm and comfortable.
Comfort is always a question of preference, but certain fabrics lend themselves to softness and warmth. Shawls from the Andes are made from super soft alpaca fibers, and provide wearers a high level of comfort. Similarly, in Thailand and Bali, silk shawls are always favorites. Depending on ones climate, particular shawls may be preferable. Central American shawls made from cotton and rayon keep wearers cool in warm climates, whereas bamboo and acrylic shawls are great for cold weather. During hot summers, Indian shawls made of modal, silk, and viscose are a perfect option, and merino wool and cashmere are ideal for winter. West Africa stands by the luxurious comfort of their 100% cotton shawls, and Mexico prioritizes comfort with their beautiful wool designs.
It depends on what you mean by handmade. We support artisans who work in the ancient traditions of their ancestors, crafting items by hand, with patience and love. But techniques vary among shawl makers. Embroidery, hand-painting, stitching, and sewing are often part of the process. Some artisans do use power looms when crafting their shawls, but even in those instances, there is no mega-factory or mass production line behind the garment. The beauty, creativity, and inspiration for each shawl comes from the artists own heart. Our product descriptions will always specify if an item is hand-woven, hand-knit, or otherwise.
The shawl comes to us full of history, culture, and heritage. Each region invests its shawls with different symbols, patterns, and designs. Some shawls, like those in West Africa and the Andes, feature linear and geometric shapes, clean lines and patterns that have been passed down through the centuries. In Bali, we find elaborate batik designs, a technique that makes use of alternating dye and wax to block color. In Central America, embroidered and woven shawls incorporate designs inspired by corn, butterflies, and birds. Floral patterns are very popular in Indian shawls, particularly in pashminas from Kashmir. Gujarati shawls often depict geometric shapes, and artisans increasingly incorporate contemporary designs through hand-painted fabric. Thailand also integrates floral patterning, often using the yok dok technique, a brocade style that leaves the fabric slightly raised. This emphasis on brocade is also evident in Mexican shawls, with lavish designs in the form of frets, flowers and geometric figures, all inspired by pre-Hispanic cultures.
Fibers, dyes, and fabrics come together in innovative, unique ways during the creation of a shawl. Different regions rely on resources that are readily available and have cultural significance. In West Africa, 100% cotton and rayon frequently make their appearances in shawls. In Bali and Thailand, soft silk lends a luxuriousness to the shawl. Central American artisans incorporate bamboo rayon, while India makes use of wool and silk. Mexico boasts an array of vibrant natural and cotton yarn dyes, and artisans from the Andes weave shawls out of soft alpaca fiber.
Throughout the world, the shawl is considered a venerated garment, made by hand from techniques passed down through generations. The methods for making traditional shawls vary as widely as the regions from which they come. But most employ some method of hand knitting or weaving on a loom. In the Andes, for example, crocheting and flat weaving on a treadle loom are common techniques. In Central America, backstrap and foot looms are popular with artisans. In Bali, one finds intricate sewing, in addition to weaving. And in India and Thailand, practices of hand-painting fabric, batik, and the use of natural dyes are intimately tied to the creation of shawls.
Featured Reviews
Mildred
Mar 30, 2017
Solola fireworks
I!m sure it is beautiful. It came beautifully gift wrapped and I plan to give it as a birthday gift in a few months.
Anthony
Oct 14, 2020
Profusion of Purple
Purple is my wife’s favorite color. The color is beautiful, material is extremely soft. She loves wearing it.
Very beautiful and unique!
This scarf is very unique and extremely soft and warm! I receive many compliments every time I wear it!
Featured Artist
K'amolon K'i K'ojonel Hand-woven accessories and apparel
They regard as their major achievement the stability of a women's organization and so offer hope to the survivors of the 1980s massacres.
In the Maya language, K'amolon K'i K'ojonel means "let's get together" and it is the name of an association founded in 1987 with a mission... read more
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