Description

Melany Basket by Mayan Hands.

Finely crafted from longleaf pine needles and wild grass, this Checkered Basket combines a variety of stitches that create an intricate design perfect to display on a wall or shelf. This basket is entirely practical too – use it on the table to hold fruit or by the door to catch keys.

Handmade of Pine needles, pajón and raffia.
It measures approximately 8 1/2″W at top, 8″ W at base, and 2″H.

About Us

Our Mission

Mayan Hands is a fair-trade nonprofit dedicated to providing economic and educational opportunities to Maya women and girls, so that they can build sustainable futures for themselves, their families and communities, as they continue to live within the culture they cherish.

Our Vision

We envision a world in which skilled women artisans are celebrated for their talents, receive sustainable, fair pay for their work, and have the financial stability needed to develop their potential and make decisions for their future.

Artisan Partners

Mayan Hands collaborates with 15 artisan groups in the rural Guatemalan highlands, representing about 200 skilled craftswomen. Artisans speak one (or more!) of four Mayan languages: K’iche’, Kaqchikel, Tz’utujil, or Achí. Some also speak Spanish.

In our early days, we worked with backstrap loom weavers. Today, products showcase artisan partners' wide range of skills: numerous styles of weaving, pine needle basketry, crochet, macrame, needle felting, and embroidery.

Mayan Hands is committed to long-term partnership with artisan groups. Some artisans have worked with us for more than 30 years!