August 2013

Working with Minga since 2005 Workshop: Otavalo, Ecuador Products: Fabric Purses & Bags

Elsa and her husband Julio have four children: Clever is 26 years old, Ronando is 23, Julio is 19 and Nuesta is 15. They own a small store in Otavalo where they sell a variety of products from the region and some products from other South American countries like Brazil. Julio has been an artisan […]

Edwin was born in Huancayo, Perú in 1989 to a family of craftsmen. His parents taught him the art of decorating gourds at an early age. He has three brothers. He makes more than 20 products. The designs are carved and burned into the gourds. He has studied foreign trade and hopes to continue growing […]

Edgar is from Lima, Perú, and makes wooden instruments. His father started the business when Edgar was a child, and passed the art of making flutes along to his son. Edgar says: “since childhood I have been in this world of artisan goods.” About eight years ago, Edgar opened a small store in a market […]

At age 78, Delia is known as an accomplished Central American artisan who is unique in many ways. Delia is a self-taught artisan from Otavalo whose expertise has long been in demand by those who appreciate hand-crafted items. Twenty five years ago, she individually laid the foundation for her humble entrepreneurial beginnings when she started […]

Cristhian lives on the very edge of the town of Cotacachi. He loves it there; it is tranquil and quiet, with little going on in the neighborhood. He was born in 1986 in Cotacachi. Cristhian learned a lot about the leather trade by himself as a child, even though he had no teacher. In 2008, […]

Year of Birth: 1982 Home: Iluman, Ecuador Favorite Pastime: Play fútbol Carlos R inherited his artisan profession from his parents and has continued their legacy of making quality hats. Carlos creates products in his workshop at home with help from his mother. The materials he works with are toquilla straw, leather, and felted wool. He […]

Carlos and his wife Blanca are grandparents of eight, born to their four children. Their grandson, Carlito an adorable six-year-old, often works with them in their shop on weekends. He is an accomplished salesman at only six! His mother is a doctor, his father, also Carlo, works in genetic engineering at the Catholic University of […]