Friendship Bridge client since 2018; part of Handmade by Friendship Bridge® since 2024

The daughter of a day laborer father and weaver mother who sold handicrafts, Ingrid finished two years of high school. As a child, she and her siblings sold spare parts in the streets for extra money after school. She is now a mother of three daughters living in San Juan la Laguna.

The Artisan’s History
Ingrid learned to weave at age 9 from her mother. During the rainy seasons when she was a child, they would weave together, side by side. She is skilled with backstrap loom techniques, and specifically enjoys making shawls. Currently, her whole family works together to support her business. Her commitment to high quality in her designs caught the attention of Handmade by Friendship Bridge® staff, and they invited her to join.

The Friendship Bridge Impact
Since joining Friendship Bridge, Ingrid has grown her business by investing in raw materials, including yarns and sticks for her backstrap looms. She was inspired to join Handmade because she was interested in having a direct sales channel to customers—in the past, she sold her handmade products to retail stores. She relishes the chance to interact with customers directly, hear their thoughts, and communicate with them in the development of new products. 

Goals
Ingrid hopes to find more buyers for her handwoven products. Her main motivation is her daughters—she wants to give them a better life and keep them in school.