At Peregrin, one of our core principles is fostering direct, meaningful relationships with our artisan suppliers. We believe in building social equity throughout our supply chain, and in bridging cultures by exchanging ideas and creativity. One of the most impactful ways we achieve this is through travel. By visiting Guatemala and connecting directly with our artisans, we not only show our commitment to this mission, but also deepen the bond that drives our shared vision.
Through our non-profit partner, Mayan Hands, Peregrin participated in a textile tour of the Guatemalan Highlands from February 8-16. Our partnership with Mayan Hands has been instrumental in providing authentic support to Mayan women artisans since the launch of our business. In addition to this, Mayan Hands offers scholarship programs for artisans and their daughters, as well as access to vital health services. We witnessed the transformative impact of the scholarships firsthand, as women who received them now hold leadership roles within their communities—roles that are traditionally dominated by patriarchal structures.
Our first visit was to the Pine Needle Basket Weavers of El Adelanto, a village near Sololá, Guatemala. Peregrin has carried these pine needle baskets in store since opening and they have been a huge hit with our customers for their intricacy and color.
We quickly learned about the background of these weavers, who have worked with Mayan Hands for generations. One woman started selling her wares following the Guatemalan Civil War between 1980 and 1990. She lost her husband and sons, making her family reliant on her craft to survive. A time before phone lines connected this remote village, she would walk hundreds of miles around the region with piles of textiles to sell her wares. Eventually connecting with Mayan Hands, she was able to reach an international market which has made all the difference. An overabundance of textiles in Guatemala makes it difficult to make serious money in-country - a basic case of supply and demand. But by extending outside of the country, new markets open and new streams of income unfold.
A common theme with several artisan groups, Mayan Hands identified ways to differentiate the work of their artisans by introducing new skills. The pine needle baskets were introduced to these weavers in the early days of Mayan Hands. A North American basket weaving technique, it easily translated to Guatemalan skill and resources. Pine needles are native and abundant throughout the highlands.
I tried my hand at weaving a pine needle basket. After fifteen minutes of practice, I asked my instructor if she would hire me for the job, to which she replied "you've got a long way to go". I hold a great deal of respect for these women artisans, who balance the responsibilities of day to day life with the demands of production in order to provide for the families on all levels.
On Tuesday, we traveled across Lake Atitlan by water taxi to Santiago Atitlan, a lake-side village known for its jaspé weaving and incredibly intricate embroidery. We visited a long-time weaving partner for Mayan Hands. There, the artisans demonstrated both the back strap loom and foot pedal loom.
We also learned of the impact of Mayan Hand's scholarship programs. One artisan took her scholarship funds and went back to school to become a Nursing Assistant. Mayan Hands also supports entrepreneurial vision. Following her nursing education, she also opened a pharmacy in her village to provide services and medicine to her community. Now, her daughter is also a scholarship recipient and is defying the odds by completing high school with her eyes on a nursing degree in college. Many of the women in this group had daughters actively pursuing higher education in fields like nursing and social work. This speaks to the impact Mayan Hands has had on their lives and how it will carry forward for generations.
We took time to visit a different weaving group in Santiago called Thirteen Threads, or Oxiljuj B’atz’ in their native Mayan language. This group produces incredible jaspé (irate) fabric, which is a type of tie-dye.
Unlike traditional tie dye, the fabric is not dyed. Rather, each individual yarn is tied and dyed prior to weaving. With careful mathematics and planning, the yarns are woven together and the white spaces left from the "ties" create an image. We have several examples of jaspé at Peregrin, should you be interested in learning more about this fascinating technique.
The next day, we had the privilege of visiting Vasconcelos, a felting collective. These Mayan women have embraced the art of felting as a unique way to stand out and carve a sustainable future for themselves. Their story reflects the resilience of countless single mothers who, in the face of adversity, are determined to build a better life and support their families through their incredible craftsmanship.
Lucy, a ten year old filter-in-training, became a fast friend. She told me about her older sister and her two dogs and about how she is learning to felt just like her mama. I had the opportunity to shop directly from these artisans. I put together a large pile of items to bring back to Peregrin. When Lucy saw the basket full of felted animals made by her mama, her eyes lit up with pride. This is why I do what I do. There is so much dignity found in work, especially craft, which brings beauty into this world where it is so deeply needed. I believe that in this moment, Lucy witnessed the impact her mother's craft has and that she, too, is capable of making an impact.
The last supplier visit with with Multicolores, a rug hooking cooperative out of Panajachel. Founded by Mary Anne Wise and Jody Slocum, two inspiring women that influenced the creation of Peregrin, and Cheryl Conway-Daly and Reyna Isabel Pretzantzin. Multicolores recognized an opportunity for artisan women to stand out in an oversaturated market. They also saw potential in repurposing clothing waste, offering a sustainable solution.
Multicolores transforms discarded t-shirts, cutting them into strips, which are then hooked into beautiful, one-of-a-kind rugs and tapestries. This process not only breathes new life into textile waste but also results in stunning, colorful creations that blend craftsmanship with sustainability. Oftentimes, the images presented in the rugs tell stories of Mayan heritage and traditions, or depicts scenes from nature.
We tried our hand at rug-hooking. My row of pink loops had to be removed as it was so messy. This is a lot harder than it looks!
My first international business trip with Peregrin and my inaugural visit to Guatemala was truly unforgettable, especially because I chose to participate in a guided group tour with Mayan Hands. It turned out to be an incredibly rewarding decision. Madeline, the Executive Director, was exceptionally welcoming and supportive throughout the experience. Her commitment to ensuring I could connect with as many artisans as possible was invaluable. She shares our vision of becoming a bridge—bringing these incredibly talented artisans to new markets and helping their remarkable work reach a wider audience. It was a journey of connection, inspiration, and purpose, and I couldn't have asked for a better introduction to the incredible talent behind Guatemalan craftsmanship.
Connecting with these artisans was a powerful, sobering reminder of Peregrin’s true mission: to preserve heritage craftsmanship. It deepened my understanding of the immense responsibility we carry—this work is not just about products; it directly impacts the livelihoods of artisans across the globe. This realization has ignited a fierce determination in me to drive the business forward, to expand, and to ensure that the success of our efforts becomes a beacon of opportunity for these talented artisans. The stakes are higher than ever, and I am more committed than ever to seeing this vision grow.
