Diego and Raquel belong to the indigenous group living in San Antonio de Atitlan, nestled along the far shore of Lake Atitlan in the lush jungle of Guatemala. Diego runs the wood workshop with passion and creativity, always eager to explore new design ideas. He meticulously collects available woods locally, ensuring sustainability and ethical sourcing certified through the Guatemala Sustainable Forestry Department.

	Our design team collaborates with Colorado State University students to create unique wood designs. These designs are then sent to Diego, who brings them to life in his open-air workshop. The delightful weather in Guatemala allows for outdoor work, adding to the charm of the crafting process.
Using only small scraps of wood, Diego crafts the first sample of the earrings. Once approved, he creates wooden block molds or sample pieces to guide the production of all new pieces. Each piece is meticulously glued together and left to dry, ensuring durability and quality craftsmanship.
	Once completed, Raquel adds the finishing touches by applying oil to enhance the wood's natural beauty. The finished pieces are then sent to Upavim, where our jewelry artisans add the earpieces and cards before shipping them to our warehouse in Colorado, ready to be sent to our customers.

But the impact of these earrings goes beyond their beauty. The sales of earrings and other wood items sustain Diego, Raquel, their family, and up to 10 employees in town. By supporting Upavim Crafts, you're not just purchasing jewelry – you're empowering artisans like Diego and Raquel to pursue their dreams and support their families in Guatemala.

Diego and Raquel are more than just artisans – they're delightful people with dreams of running their own business and supporting their community. We're proud to help support them in their journey, and we hope you'll join us in celebrating their craftsmanship and dedication. Thank you for being a part of their story.