Wendy Carpenter
interfibers@gmail.com
Project Title
“Creating Revenue Through the Arts”
In 2009 I created a project "Creating revenue through the Arts” to help the indigenous artisans of Guatemala. My fair trade wage and volunteer teaching time provide a specialized skill and higher standard of living for the indigenous communities. I have a deep respect for how the indigenous people have persevered to preserve their lifestyle. How hard they work and how loyal they can be.
Every winter I work for three months in Antigua, Guatemala designing and sewing apparel with the Mayan women and lapidary work with the men. Together we make jackets and jadeite beads. I travel to remote Mayan communities in order to purchase hand weaved Jaspe’ fabric directly from the Mayan weavers, for this is the best way to give the most support. At this point, I still transport all the clothing and jewelry in my suitcases and sell the inventory at my gallery Interfibers in Door County, Wisconsin; however, each artisan receives payment immediately regardless of how long it may take to sell. I now have a small sewing store with sewing machines and every year I bring down more tools and equipment. My "Creating Revenue through the Arts" project started with quite simple scarves and purses. The project evolved into sewing pillows, yoga bags, tops, dresses, skirts, and now coats and jackets. The 2017 design is an open cardigan style jacket fashioned short in the back with a long tailored front fold.
My "Creating Revenue through the Arts" project started with quite a simple scarf and purse design, however over the years it has evolved into sewing pillows, yoga bags, tops, dresses, skirts, and now coats and jackets. The 2017 design is an open cardigan style jacket fashioned short in the back with a long tailored front fold.
My lapidary work with the men cutting and polishing jadeite stones for beaded necklace helps several families in the community. Young boys start as an apprentice to learn the trade and the elderly general focus on one lapidary technique and repeat the process. All of the lapidary artisans know much more about cutting and polishing stones than I; however, I work hands-on with the stones and design all the beads. I feel that my project has helped the indigenous artisans of Guatemala earn a high wage and design with a variety of techniques.