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- Dec 8, 2022
- 1 min
Holiday Sale! Support Mayan Artisan Co-ops, 20% Off, Free Shipping, & Get a Free Embroidered Bag
As many of you know, Illuminate has supported cooperatives of Mayan artisans for more than 20 years. We opened in November 1999 to support craft and weaving cooperatives in Guatemala. Illuminate is a member of Green America's Fair Trade Alliance. and we were one of the first Fair Trade organizations established in the United States. We strive to preserve traditional methods of hand-weaving while providing a steady & fair income to the artisans. As "Fair Traders," we pay artis
- Oct 18, 2022
- 1 min
Our New Bricks & Mortar Shop and a New Guatemalan Club Bag
After 22 years of only selling online, we opened a shop at the Painted Tree artisan's market in Virginia Beach in September. It's located at 1624 Laskin Rd #748, Virginia Beach, VA 23451, in the Hilltop Shopping Center, near the oceanfront. We plan to open additional shops in Richmond, VA, and Arlington, VA in 2023. And, of course, you can still shop online at our website here, our Amazon store here, or our Etsy shop here. Also, we have added a new bag to our collection. Our
- Jul 18, 2022
- 2 min
The Fabulous Backstrap Woven Textiles of Zacualpa, Guatemala; New Colors in Stock
We have recently added two new colors of our very popular Zacualpa Bedspread Sets; Magenta [see above] and Ivory [see below]. We will also continue to offer them in Blue and Red. Zacualpa is a small town in the Guatemalan department [state] of El Quiché that has become known for its fine backstrap woven textiles including huipiles [blouses], bedspreads, and table coverings [see below]. Zacualpa is home to thousands of Indigenous K’iché Mayan families who make a living farmin
- Mar 16, 2022
- 1 min
Illuminate Fair Trade Introduces Two New Embroidered Guatemalan Throw Blankets
Illuminate Fair Trade is now offering two new throw blankets from our artisan partners in Guatemala. Both are based on unique designs and not available anywhere else in N. America or Europe. The first is our Guatemalan Mixed Huipile Embroidered Lap Blanket or Throw. They are created with the traditional Mayan designs found in the large embroidered patches of Guatemalan Huipiles [Mayan Embroidered Blouses]. Each is beautiful, colorful, and unique! 60 x 50 inches. Perfect to cu
- Nov 26, 2021
- 1 min
Holiday Sale! Support Mayan Artisan Co-ops, 20% Off, Free Shipping, & Get a Free Embroidered Bag
As many of you know, Illuminate has supported cooperatives of Mayan women artisans for more than 20 years. We are a "social business" that adheres to "Fair Trade" principles. We were established in November 2000 to support craft and weaving cooperatives in the Guatemala. We strive to preserve traditional methods of hand weaving while providing a steady & fair income to the artisans. As "Fair Traders," we pay artisans at least 50% more than they are paid within their local ma
- Nov 11, 2021
- 1 min
This Holiday Season You Can Support Illuminate & Women's Artisan Co-ops in Guatemala & Get 15% Off
As many of you know, Illuminate Fair Trade supports artisan cooperatives in Guatemala. Your purchases sustain our work there and in the United States. We are a "social business" that adheres to "Fair Trade" principles. We were established in November 2000 to support craft and weaving cooperatives in the Guatemala. Every product we sell is handmade by talented Mayan artisans. We strive to preserve traditional methods of hand weaving while providing a steady & fair income to t
