The Artisans

Every piece that Wild You Handmade offers comes from an unique community of artisans in Colombia with rich traditions and symbolism. When you purchase with us, you'll always know where your pieces came from and who made them. 

Santa Fé de Antioquia, Colombia

Carolina Vélez is a silversmith who specializes in the art of Filigree in Santa Fé de Antioquia, a colonial town outside the city of Medellín where the practice of Filigree dates back to the 1800s.

Metalworking in Santa Fé de Antioquia is the result of the fusion of knowledge, tools, and styles from Hispano-Arabic, Indigneous, and African people that came together as a result of the Spanish colonization of modern day Colombia. Traditionally Filigree has been worked in gold, but today silver is the primary material.

An art historically dominated by men, Carolina is one of few women practicing Filigree in Colombia. She began to take interest in the art of Filigree after making an anthropological research visit to Santa Fé when she was in college. After many attempts going from workshop to workshop asking if she could become an apprentice, she finally was accepted by one and now is recognized for her work! 

 

The Association of Women Artisans of the Sierra Nevada aims to contribute to, advise, and stand up for the rights of the activities of artisans, helping to improve the quality of life of its members and strengthening a culture of solidarity that leads them to a peaceful and just society.

In 2012 the association was created in the village of La Mina with 100 women, among them older and young adults, to meet together to strengthen the artisanal activity. Mochilas (handwoven bags) are not only one of the main livelihoods of the Kankuama community, but also a cultural legacy that is passed down from generation to generation.

 Throughout this journey until today, the number of women they support has grown, making it possible to reach other rural areas with the presence of Kankuama women. They participate in national craft fairs in Colombia proudly sharing their artisanal bags with all who attend.

In our community we mainly create Fique (agave) mochilas for everyday use with a range of sizes meant for distinct uses. It takes 5 to 8 days to create a mochila depending on the design, the size, and the stitches that are used. However, the process of the mochila actually starts long before weaving. First the Fique plant must be planted and grown to maturity, a process that takes between 5 to 7 years. Once the leaves are harvested, the spine is removed and the fiber is extracted by beating it until the fibers are pure. Then the fibers are spun into thread and dyed primarily with natural dyes from native trees. This whole process happens in the community, giving a unique identity to our bags.” 

Indigenous Community: Inga 

From: Santiago, Putumayo

Lead Artisan: Luz María Tisoy

Our home workshop is located in the urban part of Santiago, which is the first town at the entrance to the Sibundoy Valley, Putumayo, and the Amazon. We belong to the INGA indigenous community of Santiago.

Our workshop was born 11 years ago with the purpose of helping Inga families dedicated to working in bead weaving. Casa Taller Inga Awaska: home workshop of INGA WEAVING has taken that tradition and has sought to innovate in design without losing the style of our people. Beaded weaving has characterized the Inga People. In our workshop, the awaskas (designs) taken from the Inga chumbe (a sacred woven belt) have been transferred to the bracelets and the new objects for personal use such as bags and necklaces that we have created in the workshop.

What we offer are products for personal use in bead weaving, we want to stand out as a workshop innovating every day, being an example in the use of color together with the symbols of chumbe Inga. The workshop has grown significantly over the years, supporting and strengthening 18-25 families together.

Lead Artisan: Gilma María Agreda Chicunque

"Continuing to give life to our sacred teachings, ancestral customs, proud of our native lands and of our mother tongue, today we keep alive those native indigenous footprints and inspiration that with each stitch of weaving is reborn from generation to generation and is a virtue that we thank our Kamentsä community.

The inspiration for my Kamentsä community has always been in the beings of nature. For them there are symbols dedicated to the water, the sun, the moon, the frog, the trees, the mother earth, the woman, which are represented in the fabrics that we wear and use daily.

Through my Kamentsä culture we invite you to let creativity flow and adhere to the values ​​of our peoples and to revive the traditions that are still transmitted from generation to generation".

- Gilma Maria Agreda

 

  

The Wayuu live in La Guajira, the northeastern coastal tip of Colombia through northwestern Venezuela. They are the most numerous indigenous group in Colombia with over 380,000 members. For generations Wayuu women have practiced weaving, making traditional hammocks for sleeping and bags of all sizes to carry their belongings. The Wayuu are known as the people of the sand, sun, and wind. 

For the Wayuu, the traditional method of crocheting a bag (mochila in Spanish, susu in Wayuunaki) is with one thread. The stitches are tighter and finer allowing for more intricate designs. The process to create a large mochila can take up to a month. The straps are woven and do not stretch. Overall the traditional mochila is lighter than the modern version. 

When you invest in a traditional mochila you are helping to preserve the art of the Wayuu culture.

 

 

Tejidos Pallay