An Update from Andean Collection
Posted on September 27, 2011
Andean Collection works with small family artisans in Ecuador to help build strong businesses that employ even more people in the community. Through recent sales, their artisans Christian and Viviana have been able to expand their business, improve working conditions, and offer more employment opportunities to the local community. See below for an update on Christian and Viviana's business.
"Andean Collection artisans Christian and Viviana of Manabí are very committed to growing their small business and offering jobs to people in their community. Just a few years ago their home was quite small, and all of the workshop equipment for processing, dyeing, and polishing tagua was literally inside their house. They have since invested their earnings in a major home remodel, moved the machine shop to a separate, enclosed workshop, and invested in materials and equipment to make their work safer and more efficient.
Christian & Vivi's house, nearly finished! The machine shop has been moved to the shed at the far right to keep tagua dust from entering their living space. The workshop is middle right, and the dyeing equipment is around the back with drying space on the roof.
Christian demonstrates use of his newest equipment investment: a tagua polishing machine. Dyed tagua pieces are put into the chambers--one for light colors and one for dark--with polishing paste imported from Italy.
The machine spins for several hours, producing beautifully polished tagua pieces for AC bracelets and necklaces!"
A few tagua pieces available at freethenations.com:
