This week, I am excited to continue my promotion of talented enterprises exhibiting at the New World Crafts online fair, a wonderful sourcing opportunity for those interested in working with artists from Guatemala and throughout Central America. The work of these two vendors – La Casa Cotzal and Topis Ceramica – really stands out to me so I wanted to share a bit more about each of them.

hope you have been enjoying these artisan highlights from Guatemala! This will be the last email of this series so along with spotlighting a few final products, I also wanted to share some resources that I think will be helpful as you look to source inventory from Central America. First, I’ve created a guide of my top export-ready picks from Guatemala, available here as a free, downloadable PDF. I know many of you ask what materials or techniques are particularly strong in a specific country or region. As you’ll see in the guide, Guatemala has a lot to offer, including sustainable (naturally dyed and upcycled) textiles, recycled glassware, beadwork for accessories and home accents, ceramics, and natural materials (such as FSC-certified wood).

Over the next few months, I am delighted to partner up with the New World Crafts Fair based in Guatemala, a wonderful sourcing trade show in Antigua, Guatemala, offering a unique chance to connect directly with talented artists from Guatemala and throughout South America. And ultimately, highlight the unique products and export ready artisan enterprises at this show.

This week, we venture to Guatemala as I am delighted to present to you some wooden tableware that’s perfect for shops or brands that would like to develop a unique collection of their own. I’ve always found it difficult to source wooden products that have both an inspiring mission and a sustainable component. That’s why I’m thrilled to share the work of my partner, as their commitment to sustainability and community impact is as strong as their gorgeous designs.

This week we dive into indigo ikat, designed by a French brand that I am repping who works with artists in Guatemala and Mexico. There is so much to explore within their full collection but I wanted to start by sharing this stunning fabric.
The indigo used in this collection originated in the Americas. For thousands of years, communities used this blue color in pottery, murals, and textiles. The dye is extracted from a plant called anil. To produce the dye in Oaxaca, leaves are cut, crushed, and fermented in water for 20 days in a clay jar placed in the sun.

This week, Annie interviews Amira of Archive NY. Let’s dive in! “First of all, I want to say, ‘I LOVE VINTAGE’. I love the faded colors, the history you can imagine each cloth has been through, and the uniqueness of each piece. I love how it’s a historical timeline for color trends and patterns from a specific place. Vintage offers a never-ending anthropological and artistic study.”