What if the Grace & Fire of a woman could change to future of their family. What if the skills learned through generations could forge a brighter future? 

Last February, I was connected to a dear friend's cousin who founded and continues to run a clinic in a rural village. They save babies who are severely affected by malnutrition. While this is not uncommon in this village, the hope was witnessed while I was there in October when I stood in as an amateur photographer to take pictures of the children ages 1-10 who have been helped by Casa Tabito. It was incredible to see their sweet faces and the fun they were having laughing and playing on the play set at the clinic!

Grace & Fire, while not directly connected to the nonprofit of Casa Tabito is working with 2 women whose babies have been served by Casa Tabito. The two ladies, Sylvia and Ester, work in a small loft above a garage at the clinic with a saddle making sewing machine and their four hands. I met them for the first time last May. When I met them, their stories brought me to my knees. As I was packing up the leather bags to bring home, I was overcome with feelings of a deep knowing. This is where I'm supposed to be.

Gloria, the momma in the photo with the baby on her back, wove that tapestry with only 5 sticks! I continue to buy these pieces from her. I cherish these pieces and you may never find them on my website! 

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I went back in October to pick up another order. When I was there, the energy of pride and genuine happiness I felt from these two women was overwhelming. It was incredible the way that these women had changed in just a short 5 month. For the past several months, they have not had to fear their ability to feed their children. They have been earning reasonable and fair wages and treated with respect and dignity while doing this work.

I wish I could tell you how much of an impact this business could make.

Here's a video we made while I was there:  

Link

Since I've been back in the states, I have connected with another woman. An American who is living in Guatemala, running an orphanage. She is working with a group of women, who are also caretakers for the children. They had formed The LUM project some time ago. Diane, a new friend, has been coming back to the states to sell the LUM project bags periodically but has been at a stand still for hiring more women. There are so many and their resources both in time and funding is not sustainable for the project although it offers reliable work to the women. Since, we have partnered and I now have what is left of the LUM projects inventory.

I have many dreams for this project but my first is to help fund these two women in the training they need to make their dreams of entrepreneurship a reality. Currently, Ester (green shirt) is working as Sylvia's (pink shirt) assistant of sorts. These two women work together in a small studio above a garage at Casa Tabito. Ester cuts the leather and Sylvia sews on a saddle making sewing machine. Silvia has been accommodated with special training to make more intricate bags like the Messenger bag. Ester is eager to learn the trade.

In Guatemala, the business of leather is typically left to a man while the weaving of the Huipil is for women. It is not an easy job to cut and tear the leather or to break needles when combining the seams. The power behind this work is not for a woman without muscle, work ethic, grit, and stamina.

These women have it what it takes and I am proud to invest in them.

I will tell you that I am Grace & Fire's biggest customer and now that I have all (or most) of my ducks in a row, I hope you become a customer too. There is a good selection currently online at www.graceandifre.com

Until the end of the year, you can sign for 20% off.

If you live locally, you can pick up at my office during the weekdays from

8am - 5pm.

 Please share with your friends!

*Please note that while I have a wholesale page, prices are as low as they can be at this time and wholesale relationships will be a future project. If you or someone you know is interested in wholesale, please fill out the form for future projects.