Handmade products have the characteristic of not only demonstrating an art cultivated for months, years, or even centuries; but they also have the characteristic of transmitting feelings and evoking memories.

There is nothing more beautiful than when you put on your Wayúu bag you remember the moment you visited La Guajira, or when you see your child's school artwork and remember when he surprised you with it, or when you use the basket that your best friend gave you when he went to Bali and you evoke the desire to go to know the sea in that country.

It is no secret that when we have a handmade product, we firmly believe that there is a piece of the place and the person who made it, who still lives in it. Do you agree?

In this blog, we will tell you what we consider essential in the anatomy of a handmade product.

We have made a list of characteristics that we consider to be part of the particularities of a handmade product. These are:

 

Creativity in each stroke

The exact definition of creativity says that this is the ability to generate new ideas or concepts, of new associations between known ideas and concepts, which usually produce original solutions. 

When creativity meets craftsmanship, magic happens, because an acquired knowledge is being transformed with a new one. Also because a product is being given a new utility.

This is the case of a jewelry brand that produces ceramic and gold. This is mixing two types of materials to create something beautiful.

Photo of ceramic by Alma Coral

Photo by Alma Coral

 

Another example of the union of two different materials is the thread with the fique for certain Wayúu bags.

Without a doubt, in most cases, a handmade product is out of the ordinary and the creativity component turns a rudimentary piece into one to be admired.

 

The art in each mold

There is a saying that says, "he who does not risk an egg, does not get a chicken". Yes, it sounds a bit colloquial and even rudimentary, but it is very very true. 

This is the same with handicrafts. Sometimes you have to take risks to get a beautiful product. 

For example, when you are making a bag for the first time, you may be taking more threads than you really need or stitching the wrong way. 

All of this is part of the learning process. It is always important to know that the more you practice, the more you will perfect the elaboration technique.

 

Patience when making each piece  

The vast majority of artisan products take many hours of work and even days, which carries with it a great load of patience when making each piece.

Before the boom of mass production, an embroidery, a piece of furniture, or a jewel was valued for the elaboration, the slow and exclusive dedication of the artisan, giving the best of his technique to the object. Now, the difficulty of the process has lost the battle against profit.

To make a handmade piece, you need to be patient and love what you do. That is why love - no matter how cliché it sounds - is our last component in the anatomy of a handmade product.

 

Photo of a Wayuu women weaving an Ekiitaya

Photo by: Ekiitaya

 

Love what you do

The majority of artisans work on their products since they were little, even artisans carry this art from generation to generation, making it perfect over time.

It is impossible not to love an art that has been cultivated through the years.

The craftsman puts his knowledge, patience, creativity, and above all his love in each piece.

At Ekiitaya, we design and make our bags with the same characteristics, but above all respecting the traditions of the Wayúu community.

Each piece that we produce carries a great component of worldview.

The Wayuu bag is a Colombian craft worthy of being carried by locals and foreigners.

What is the most representative piece of your country?

We would love to hear from you!

 

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