Rick Steves Europe
- February 01, 2020
Welcome to our Media Center!
Handmade by Friendship Bridge® is a Microcredit Plus service of the nonprofit social enterprise Friendship Bridge. We support the artisans of Friendship Bridge by acquiring the skills, education, learning experiences, support, and technical assistance they need to reach their potential and independently sell their handmade products in local, national, and international markets.
Certified by the Fair Trade Federation
We are proud to be a verified member of the Fair Trade Federation, an association dedicated to supporting members that value the health of the planet, and the labor, dignity, and equality of all people. Learn more about our certification: Handmade by Friendship Bridge® Accepted into the Fair Trade Federation
We are proud to be a verified member of the Fair Trade Federation, an association dedicated to supporting members that value the health of the planet, and the labor, dignity, and equality of all people. Learn more about our certification: Handmade by Friendship Bridge® Accepted into the Fair Trade Federation
History
Handmade by Friendship Bridge® was known as the Artisan Market Access Program in 2015 and became its own brand in 2019. The program has evolved substantially since Friendship Bridge first began work in Guatemala in 1998 to support women living in poverty. Friendship Bridge discovered—through surveys and research—that many of the artisan women it served needed access to new markets in order to sell their products and bolster their income. Many of the artisans faced geographical and language barriers and/or did not have the business skills necessary to thrive in today’s marketplace. For these reasons, Handmade by Friendship Bridge® was developed help provide additional economic opportunities in unique ways.
Why Guatemala?
Why Guatemala?
Guatemalans face high levels of poverty, violence, natural disasters, and corruption, ultimately leading some to migrate from Guatemala. Our work is focused on supporting women-led businesses that increase our clients’ income, so they don’t need to make the difficult choice to migrate.
Why Women Only?
Guatemala ranks 93th out of 146 countries in gender equality, according to the Global Gender Gap Index 2024, making it one of the most gender unequal countries in Latin America. When women earn more money, we know that they invest 90% of it back into their families and communities, and that helps make their communities stronger. Many of our clients’ increased income means that their children can stay in school longer, rather than dropping out to work and help support the family, which can create generational change.
Guatemala ranks 93th out of 146 countries in gender equality, according to the Global Gender Gap Index 2024, making it one of the most gender unequal countries in Latin America. When women earn more money, we know that they invest 90% of it back into their families and communities, and that helps make their communities stronger. Many of our clients’ increased income means that their children can stay in school longer, rather than dropping out to work and help support the family, which can create generational change.
Recognition for Friendship Bridge
Fair Trade Certification
Great Place To Work
Charity Navigator
Images
Videos
Testimonials
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
"Highly recommend craftsmanship, fast shipping—[the Luggage Tags] mage great gifts. I'm ordering two more!"
Jodie, customer
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
"I am blown away by the quality, craftsmanship, and beauty—everything is truly a work of art! I feel proud to give these gifts to others, and hope they will be inspired to make their own purchases!"
Robyn, customer
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
"Absolutely 100% love the Huipil Travel Bag! It's a great carry-on and so unique!"
Julia, customer
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
"I am grateful to Handmade by Friendship Bridge® for helping me increase my production and selling abilities with clients."
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
"Thank you, Handmade by Friendship Bridge®, for supporting women and giving them the opportunity to increase their income."
Press coverage
Rick Steves Europe
- November 13, 2018
"Ensuring that the women we serve know how to use their voice is a priority for us at Handmade by Friendship Bridge® and Friendship Bridge. After all, their voice is what empowers them to contribute to important family decisions so they can choose their own path and build a better life."
We Are Mitú
- July 25, 2022
"Now, Friendship Bridge, a local nonprofit that has been working with and empowering Guatemalan women for decades, has created an in-office showroom in its Lakewood office to sell authentic products, handmade by Guatemalan artisans from rural areas of the country. "
Jeffco Transcript
- August 05, 2022
"The nonprofit social enterprise, which mainly works with rural Guatemala’s indigenous women, provides financial services, health education, agriculture and business technical training and more. Coloradans can most easily support its cause by buying shopping totes, jewelry, ornaments and more created by over 30 artisans of Handmade by Friendship Bridge."
Denver Post
- October 03, 2022
"“We have stories about women who have grown a business from a small, foot-based business, carrying their businesses on their shoulders to having multiple stores and employing others."
Denver 7 News
- October 14, 2022
"The Lakewood-based non profit, Friendship Bridge, partnered with the coffee shop to put on the exhibit, where customers can purchase a huipil through the end of November."
9 News
- November 02, 2022
CBS News
- March 08, 2023
9News/Next with Kyle Clark
- March 16, 2023
Kent State University
- May 19, 2023
"“Huipiles are a key part of traditional Guatemalan clothing and are integral to the identity of the indigenous Maya of the region,” says Lydia Rueger Shoaf, content & press associate for Friendship Bridge. “Come learn the historical and cultural importance of the huipil, a traditional garment worn by women from central Mexico to Central America.”"
NOCO Style
- November 10, 2023
"We love these earrings from Handmade by Friendship Bridge, a nonprofit artisan collective based out of Sololá, Guatemala. In collaboration with over 30 local women artisans, the organization works to address poverty and inequities in the region by providing them with equipment, resources, access to global market and wholesale buyers, and empowerment to sustain themselves through their artistry and business."
HipLatina
- November 14, 2023
"estled within an unassuming o ce building in Lakewood, you’ll nd a diverse collection of vibrant Guatemalan fabrics, shimmering jewelry, and embroidered baskets — all handcrafted by women in Guatemala."
Evergreen Living Magazine
- February 01, 2024
"The Handmade by Friendship Bridge artisan program aims to support its clients in establishing contacts with potential buyers and other organizations of interest so that they can grow their ventures and contribute to the economy of both their households and their communities. "
CRN Noticias
- March 12, 2024
"Mother’s Day is fast approaching, and it’s time to ditch the cliché flowers-and-card routine for something truly memorable."
My Four and More blog
- April 30, 2024
"Animal backpacks: Handmade by Jacinta, these backpacks are great for preschoolers and made with repurposed traditional Guatemalan textiles, so no two are exactly alike. Through her sewing business, Jacinta has been able to support the education of her five children and is helping her youngest daughter finish university. "
Mile High Mamas
- August 19, 2024
"The IFAM pop-up sale also features artwork by Friendship Bridge, a collective from Guatemala with the goals of empowering women and eliminating poverty. The collective represents 18 women artists who weave baskets, textiles, and jewelry and create Christmas ornaments and colorful stocking stuffers. "
Santa Fe New Mexican
- November 29, 2024
"I wanted to bring a bit of attention to our newest partner, Handmade by Friendship Bridge®. They are an amazing group that helps women from Guatemala market their handmade products abroad."
Macaroni Kid
- November 30, 2024
"IFAM is proud to host the traveling Master Weavers Huipil Exhibit, a breathtaking showcase of Guatemalan artistry. The exhibit is curated in collaboration with Friendship Bridge—a nonprofit dedicated to empowering women in Guatemala."
International Folk Art Market
- December 06, 2024
"The partnership with the nonprofit meant that the Rotary Club was able to meet the needs of two of Guatemala’s most vulnerable populations: low-income Guatemalan seamstresses who desire to expand their businesses as well as the very youngest citizens of Guatemala."
Novato Patch Media
- January 21, 2025
"By supporting Guatemala’s local female artisans, Handmade by Friendship Bridge hopes to empower women through employment, provide continued education for their children and help preserve Guatemala’s traditional culture of skilled artisans and their crafts."
Pacific Sun
- January 28, 2025
"“Being part of this federation is a testament to the integrity of our work and the impact we are achieving. This certification assures our clients, strategic partners, and, most importantly, our artisans, that Handmade by Friendship Bridge® is deeply committed to fair wages, ethical production, and environmental sustainability. It also reinforces our mission and opens up new opportunities for growth, visibility, and trust.” within the global fair trade movement,” said Sussan Hrozek, Senior Coordinator of the Handicrafts Program."
News in America
- March 19, 2025
More About Us
Non-Profit
Friendship Bridge is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit social enterprise creating opportunities that empower women in Guatemala to build a better life. We work primarily with indigenous women in rural Guatemala where the rate of poverty is highest. While illiteracy and poverty rates are staggering in these regions, the women we work with are determined to create a change.
Press Releases
February 21, 2025 -
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