SAMAJEL B'ATZ'

Eight of us began to work together in 1983, having been widowed as a result of the internal armed conflict. Now we are 25 Kaqchikel women from the village of Patzaj, municipality of Comalapa, in the province of Chimaltenango, working collectively in order to improve our lives. We produce handwoven items, made on backstrap and floor looms, we hand-dye some of our threads using natural materials, and we are learning the art of ikat. Thanks to our organization, we are making a living and we have started a few small projects.

EXAMPLES OF OUR CRAFTS
(Click on each image for a larger view)

1. Multicolor Scarf -- Bufanda Multicolores, $4.40 B.A.M.T.C. 2. Scarf with Ikat -- Bufanda de 3 Colores con Jaspe, $4.40	1. Scarf with Earthtones -- Bufanda Color Tierra, $4.40 B.A.M.T.C. 2. Scarf with 8 Colors -- Bufanda de 8 Colores, $4.40 3. Scarf with 7 Colors -- Bufanda de 7 Colores, $4.40	Persian Jewel Scarf -- Bufanda Joya Persa, $10.13 RC-3A
Purple Scarf -- Bufanda Morada, $10.13 RC-2U	Table Runner -- Camino de Mesa, $13.70 Q.1.C.	Large Lightweight Shawl -- Chalina Grande, $11.10 04.4.01.51.007
1. Red Table Runner with Poinsettias -- Camino de Pascua Rojo, $11.32 04.4..01.37.004 2. Green Table Runner with Poinsettias -- Camino de Pascua Verde, $11.30 04.4.02.37.004	"Peace" or "Feliz Navidad" Wall Hanging -- Tapetes, $6.47 A.2.FC, A.5.FC	Red Scarf -- Bufanda Roja, $10.13 RC-23
Green Silk Shawl -- Chalina Verde, Seda, $18.10 CH-8-CM	Set of 6 Placemats, Peach -- Individuales de 6 Personas, Zapote, $25.98 S2FS.2	Set of 6 Placemats, Navy Blue -- Individuales de 6 Personas, Azul Marino, $25.98 S-A-M-FS-1
Rug, Chain Design -- Alfombra Dibujo Cadena, $13.87 A-C-3	Rug, Star Design -- Alfombra Dibujo Estrella, $13.87 A-E-1	Textured Table Runner -- Camino de Mesa de Panal, $13.70 CBf/c
	Tablecloth -- Mantel, $75.40 MLJP