guatemalan beaded bracelets

"I chose to make this bracelet with two glass bead ties that symbolize union. The small beads of different colors, sizes and textures represent the community — all different but sharing the dream of having a better future," artisan Cristobal Ramirez says. |He combines seed beads in brown, green and blue, all beautiful earth colors in his original unity bracelet.

Wear this out on the street to show your support! This bracelet is handwoven with fine red and white glass beads by the Wakami cooperative of the city of Guatemala, which works to help rural artisans get their products to market.

"Onyx represents the strength with which we face any situation, and the malachite represents the planet earth. That is why I chose that stone to represent unity," Lesbia Back says of this design. "Its color also symbolizes hope, which is a feeling of faith in God. A hope that all that happens in our lives has a purpose that will bring us good in the future. At the same time, hope motivates us to move forward and commit ourselves to helping others, uniting ourselves to get ahead together." This elegant unity bracelet is crafted by hand.