Handwoven Striped Cotton Poncho from Guatemala, "Beach Stripes"

I enjoy my art. Each step is an adventure and I discover new things every day that lead to better results and better designs to offer you.

I'm Elena Ixtamer. I love being able to introduce myself to you. I was born in 1975 in a small town in Guatemala. I grew up admiring my country's natural beauty, and what place could be better than on the shores of Lake Atitlan? My mother was an artisan who wove on a backstrap loom and my father was a day laborer.

When I was eight, my mother began teaching me to weave with patience and love. This art is learned by most women at a very young age. Due to its complexity, and because it is part of our traditions and customs, it is also part of a family legacy. Just as I learned from my mother, my mom learned from my grandmother. Now I'm teaching my own daughters because weaving by hand is an art that represents us as Guatemalans. It has given my family much joy, since it has been our main source of income, and not just for me, but for many families.

I have been weaving for since 2004 and I really love it. I have learned many more techniques that have allowed me to experiment and grow. I dream of knowing that my designs are highlighting feminine beauty in other countries, and that these women know that they are made with love and dedication because, when I weave, I'm always thinking of shoppers who are looking for a handmade, quality textile.