OWP
Natural Exfoliating Pumice Stones- Guatemala- 1PC
Natural Exfoliating Pumice Stones- Guatemala- 1PC
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These pumice stones come from volcanic activity in Guatemala. It is a perfect material for exfoliating hard skin on your feet. After a hot footbath, scrub gently with the pumice stone, and your feet will feel 10 years younger.
These naturally occurring volcanic pumice stones are formed when volcanic lava mixes with water and solidifies. When lava solidifies, gas bubbles contained in it are trapped in the rock. A pumice stone is formed! Because of these gas bubbles, the stones are very light and they float on water. It is said that ancient Mayans used these volcanic stones for construction purposes.
- Each stones measuring approximately 3 1/4” high x21/4” x wide x 3/4" deep
Fair Trade imported from Guatemala.
To learn more about the talented artists and the techniques they use to create these eco-friendly items, please click "About the Artisans" below.
About the Artisans
About the Artisans
Chichicastenango, Guatemala, has become one of the most important heritage centers in Guatemala during the past 10 years, due to its predominant indigenous Maya Quiche population and their traditional textile products. Yet, despite increased tourism and a renewed interest in traditional Mayan crafts, work opportunities remain few for the indigenous population, many of whom are uneducated and otherwise unemployable.
Enter De Colores Art, a local business that levels the playing field for villagers by offering free training to anyone who demonstrates the initiative to learn a trade. The company employs 30 women and 18 men to knit and embroider textile products, with the option of working at home using materials provided by the company. De Colores recognizes the culture of its Mayan employees, and as such allows flexible hours and gives time off for sowing and harvest days.
De Colores also invests in community education projects by funding two local schools in the neighboring towns of Chujupen y Pachoj, and by providing scholarships to qualifying students.
In addition to stimulating the local economy by creating new jobs, De Colores makes a conscious effort to use recycled materials whenever possible. The reason for this is twofold: to preserve Mayan culture, as recycled textiles showcase traditional knitting patterns that aren’t often seen in newer textiles, and to reduce scraps and waste.
Communities collaborate in the production process, as men work on the biggest textiles and women do the embroidery, crochet and macramé seen in smaller pieces. In some cases, in order to be competitive, sewing machines are used to assemble the finished product, although all the components are handmade and hand embroidered from cotton, wool and/or silk.
