Meet our Artisans

Click on the Hyperlink of the vendor to learn more about them.

Boruca

The indigenous Boruca Tribe in southern Costa Rica has artisans that handmake high-quality, handcrafted bags, purses, placemats, hats and even yoga mat bags.

All are made from local cotton using plant-based dyes.

Costa Rica is famous for their durable contrasting grained wood, including cocobolo and Guanacaste.

These unique art pieces are made from local woods and appropriate for any setting. 

The Huetar indigenous group lives in the mountains of central Costa Rica.

Our artisan specializes in handmade baskets, pottery, and musical instruments using local materials.

The indigenous Chorotega people live in the Guaitil region of western Costa Rica.

They have been making unique hand thrown, wood-fired pottery using traditional methods, clays and dyes. 

Joka Woodwork

Joka is actually a family of artisans in the Guanacaste province in Costa Rica.

They make wooden bowls, utensils, serving plates, and decorative items that have been hand carved from local timber, particularly Guanacaste wood.

 Maleku

The primary indigenous group of the Guanacaste province in Costa Rica. 

Handmade drums, rainsticks, and key chain masks.

 

 Oaxaca Textiles

This small family-owned business has blended the talents of all the family members in traditional textile and fabrics to make unique clothing, towels, rugs, and artwork. Their materials are locally grown and prepared cotton and wool. The dyes are all natural and plant-based. 

Transforma

Transforma works to change the lives of impoverished women, children and immigrant through wrap-around services and holistic integrated interventions, that disrupt the compounding cyclical challenges of poverty. ​

La Escala

Pedro has been making Barro Negro (black clay) pottery for all his life. He learned the skills from his grandfather and father, but you will also see unique designs that only he crafts.

 

Mazorca Negro Chocolate

Motivated by her love of the Mayan culture in her town of Chetumal and of chocolate, Mary started a business to give jobs to the community and wonderful cacao and chocolate items to the world.

Yuu Lee Family Shop

This inter-generational business specializes in using local wool and colored dyes from cacao and other plants to handmake unique blankets, rugs, handbags, and much more. The bag designs have been time-tested to ensure it will be your most durable purchase.

After her husband's sudden death, Emi decided to take her love of gardening to another level. She started a vanilla farm. Vanilla is the second most expensive spice, and the reason is because it is requires year-around attention eventhough it has just a single harvest.

Bee Friendly

They initially came to Cozumel to grow specialty herbs and vegetables for the community, but found that without sufficient bees, the crops were poor. They started a few hives and found that they loved the beekeeping better than farming. They sell 100% pure honey and honey products. You will taste the difference.

Koopte Wood

Julio learned woodworking from his father, and along with his sister, the shop expanded on the Mayan techniques to craft more than furniture and utensils. They specialize in intarsia wood that have deep colors and intricate grains.

Hands of Hope Africa

After graduating from university, the founder, Namara Jane, decided to help young women, especially the orphans and those on the streets, as a passion and also as a way of giving back to the community. Hence she started Hands of Hope Africa in 2019.