guatemalan artisans

Miguel Hernández honors Judaic customs and traditions with the design of this table runner centered by a menorah. When the menorah is lit on the Eve of the Shabbat, it symbolizes Shalom Bayit, meaning peace and harmony in the family. "We designed this runner so you may decorate your table with a little piece of our community," says the Guatemalan artisan. He weaves the cotton table runner on a pedal loom, giving form to the white menorah over a brown and black background. Hernández includes bands of concentric diamonds, his family's trademark pattern, in light and darker shades of brown, as well as red and black. Butterflies in terracotta and black complete the design.

Better economic conditions and the preservation of time-honored methods and craftsmanship—those are the goals Ingrid and Andrea share with weavers in several departments in Guatemala. This cushion cover's front panel is woven on a backstrap loom by artisans of Chichicastenango who use wool prepared by those in Momostenango; the classic design features alternating thick and thin lines in elephant grey on an ivory background. The back side is milk white cotton blend fabric, and after the two sides are sewn together, a zipper on one side aids in inserting a cushion.

Working on the traditional handloom, women from the Nu'Kem Association of Textile Artisans create this lovely shawl. They add shining diamonds in lustrous cotton to the blue wool blend.