Boyacá, Colombia

Alma

Almas Artesanas was founded by three cousins — Diana C. Viveros, Mileidy Gómez, and Estefanny Gómez — whose creative vision is deeply rooted in their culture and ancestry.

Dried flower blossoms and petals lie in layers on mesh drying screens.

A smiling woman wears large golden leaf earrings and a white blouse in a bright room.

What began as a way to honor and elevate the artisan trade has grown into a mission of equity: using commerce, entrepreneurship, and technology to help Afro-Colombian and indigenous makers, mainly from Colombia's Pacific coast, gain fairer participation in society. More than a marketplace, it serves as a curated showcase that carries the stories and ancestral knowledge behind each craft to homes around the world.

A woman weaves pale iraca palm fibers across a wooden frame, working the strands by hand.

Sustainable Technique

Iraca Palm Weaving

In Colombia, the fibers of the iraca palm, also known as toquilla or jipijapa, are harvested and woven by hand into one of the country's richest and most delicate crafts. The palm yields an enormous range of goods, including hats, placemats, napkin rings, purses, and decorative accessories. For many families, the craft has become a sustainable livelihood and a cornerstone of the local economy.