Artisanal crafts

Las Flores Designs

The Las Flores Designs logo, as designed by our dear friend Emily

Las Flores Designs constitutes the first major project undertaken by the Las Flores Women’s Organization of San Gerardo, Ecuador. IEPSD partnered with the organization in September of 2008 to help develop its micro-enterprise. The aim of the project is to encourage the preservation of ancestral techniques and provide much-needed income to the families of San Gerardo, thereby improving their quality of life and access to educational opportunities.


The members of Las Flores Designs are just beginning to rediscover their traditional techniques and develop designs. They currently work on their artesanías in their spare time, but hope to devote much more of their efforts to their craft as their demand and skills grow.

Senora Francisca with a shigra of cabuya


Shigra



Often used to carry money and goods to and from market, the art of making these time- and labor-intensive handbags is quickly dying out. They are crafted using a tiny crochet needle and usually feature geometric designs of vibrant colors.




Senora Ortensia with a shigra made of wool


Traditionally made with cabuya, the fibers of the agave plant, the women’s organization has also started to make them with the wool of their own lambs.

With funds raised by our partner IU student group IEPSD, the artisans will soon be learning to use locally-found, natural dyes.

Juan Daniel and woolen sock hat


Cable-knit sock hat

Made of thickly spun lambs’ wool, our sock hats feature ear flaps and a retro, decorative ball on top. And everything here is hecho a mano (or handmade in gringo-speak).

Scarf!


Cable-knit Scarf

The classic (and classy) winter accessory now has the moral credentials to match its coziness. Made from thickly-spun wool, it is knitted finely to insure cold winter gust-impermeability. Oh yea.





About the Artisans
The women of San Gerardo traditionally make artesanías like the ones you see in this catalog for their personal use. Their products are brightly and diversely colored and are created using meticulous, time-intensive techniques.

Interested in buying items? Because IEPSD members are in direct contact with the artisans, color choices, designs, and sizes can be made-to-order. All products are made from wool and cabuya (fibers from the agave plant). The wool is sheared from the women’s sheep, hand-spun and personally dyed. In May of 2009, the members of Las Flores Designs will be trained in the use of natural dyes, with the aim of making the entire production process environmentally sound. Email us at SanGerardoCommunity at gmail dot com with any questions or orders.