We created Collective-Stories out of a passion for uniting thoughtful design and ethical craftsmanship.
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In a remote corner of Guatemala, we found ourselves captivated by the symphony of color and skill that embodies the country's handcrafted textiles. An intimate connection with a group of native artisans, practicing traditional weaving, laid the foundation for Collective-Stories. Our mission is to bring together artisans from around the world, who are all bound by their commitment to preserving and evolving their craft.
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We founded Collective-Stories after a trip to Guatemala, where we were inspired by the country's beautiful handcrafted textiles and impressed by how fundamental weaving still is to the Maya culture today.
In Guatemala, we embarked on a quest to master the ancient art of backstrap weaving and came across a local foundation that offered day-long courses under the guidance of native artisans. It was within the vibrant threads of this experience that Collective-Stories came to life. A full day of weaving and laughter with talented artisans was all it took for us to know that we wanted to work with them and share their talents with the world.
With a shared passion for design and craftsmanship, we wanted to offer products with timeless appeal, but embrace the traditional skills and knowledge from artisans from not only Guatemala but around the world. We invested countless hours learning the possibilities and the restrains that comes from the art of backstrap weaving, brocade and hand dying natural materials. These are all features that we at Collective-Stories have come to love and are the heart and soul of our products.
From our adventure in Guatemala we have set out to explore traditional craftsmanship around the world to create a variety of products all handmade by local artisans and help local communities by providing artisans with opportunities for economic independence and strengthen their entrepreneurial ecosystem.