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- Maura Parra
Maura Parra
"I've always been drawn to handmade works of art, and am extremely proud of our Mayan ancestral heritage. For years, I've been in awe of how artisan hands can transform our colorful traditions into gorgeous masterpieces from raw materials. As an entrepreneurial and creative woman, the idea behind creating products that feature Guatemala's most beautiful customs was to showcase them beyond our borders.<br><br>
"I started this journey in 2014 with a close friend as my business partner, and together we managed to meet the expert who would become our advisor and mentor for the next couple of years. Thanks to his expertise and willingness to share his knowledge, we were able to create one-of-a-kind pieces that were premium and high quality, yet affordable and accessible. We owe part of our creative process to him; he was adamant about paying attention to detail from pinning inspirations, to sketching designs, to scouting textiles and the best raw materials.<br><br>
"During our startup journey, we met a variety of artisan groups around Guatemala, experienced in handling and assembling handbags and accessories, among other handmade products. Often, these groups are composed of entire families--of course, only the adults and heads of family work the assembly line. We also had the opportunity to learn various weaving techniques on the backstrap and foot looms, thanks to several Mayan weaving cooperatives willing to share this rich cultural heritage.<br><br>
"This year I am venturing out on my own, innovating with different fabrics and materials to create new and improved collections. The new lines combine a variety of raw materials such as plastic, beads, velvet, pure leather and hide, among others, with our traditional handwoven textiles for a modern yet elegant look and feel. I am truly inspired by our artisans' work and dedication. The opportunity to work alongside them in the creation of something that speaks to our rich cultural heritage and contributes to the preservation of our traditions is a real blessing. The ability to collectively contribute in the creative process is what makes this hard work worthwhile.<br><br>
"I've seen firsthand the amount of creativity and hard work that goes into creating something from nothing. Because of this, I believe in and support the fair-trade movement to eliminate the habit of haggling or bargaining over the artisans' hand labor. Most of the artisan groups I work with have set up shop in the same place they live in. It's truly humbling to see how far these hardworking people will go to better their chances at a steady income and provide their families with better education and health opportunities. The gratification of being part of this movement is why I keep this project going, and I hope to be of further help and service to as many artisans as I can for as long as I can."
