Kakaw Designs

Kakaw Designs

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Kakaw = Cacao

Supporting traditions with roots as deep as the chocolate tree. Backstrap, embroidery, natural dyes, and more! Led by chapinas.

We reinvest earnings from our classes and travels into rural artisan production. We love combining techniques! Supporting traditions with roots as deep as the chocolate tree. In 2013, we launched with just $2,000 on Kickstarter. Today, we reinvest earnings from our classes and travels to support over 12 artisan groups in rural communities in Guatemala. We aim for sustainable income generation through new production.

27/05/2026

Limited spots left for this Saturday's class -- join us at the studio from 9:30-11:30am. Register online to reserve your spot!

Photos from Kakaw Designs's post 17/05/2026

Today we celebrate Xoshil 🌸 but to be honest it’s been a whole weekend of celebrations 🥰🎉🥳 Join us in wishing her another wonderful journey around the sun!

Photos from Kakaw Designs's post 16/05/2026

New Duffels ✨ This is one of the favorite bags for travelers at our studio. Made with naturally-dyed and handwoven textile + genuine leather, complete with bother outer and inner pockets 🫶🏽

Remember, in-studio visitors receive 20% off!

14/05/2026

One last spot left for this November's Day of the Dead Embroidery Week. Plenty of "Barriletes Gigantes" to be seen in Sumpango, what a festival!

03/05/2026

Taking place over Thanksgiving week from November 21 - 30, 2026. Sign up with a $400 deposit 🧶 🪡

This is a fantastic week of creativity and practice rooted in local Tzutujil traditions. Families welcome! Reach out to hear more about the grounds and activities for family members — it’s a great place for kids. I speak from experience, I loved spending time here as a child. (Mari here 👋🏼)

Photos from Kakaw Designs's post 24/04/2026

These slower months during the rainy season offer time for continued training and team building. Big thanks to Cheekys for her commitment to Kakaw ♥️

Images from yesterday’s training on processes, techniques, the makers, incorporating English in there… there’s always something to learn!

Cheers to the team ._.cristal06

Photos from Kakaw Designs's post 21/04/2026

Imagine practicing traditional stitches and learning their local significance, the history behind the güipil and more in this Tzutujil community… alongside fellow creatives, from patient master embroideresses. With this view 🌺 🪡

Our embroidery week at Santiago Atitlán takes place on Thanksgiving week, from November 21-30.

Registration is open! We love small groups — the minimum is just 6 participants for this hands-on travel itinerary. Last year, we had the pleasure of Doña Claribel joining the group as the sponsored local embroidery artist. This year, we have another talented artist in mind, someone who is also sure to enrich the experience for the whole group.

18/04/2026

Stitching together in wonderful company 🪡

Participants spend five full mornings working on their own Santiago-style güipil, learning ro embroider traditional birds, flowers, and more. The neckline border is especially interesting!

All in a beautiful lush setting with lakefront access… this location holds a special place in Mari’s childhood heart, and it is a joy to spend quality time together in these gardens. Hosted in collaboration with master embroidery instructors.

Registration is open on our website.

15/04/2026

Doña Cristina, master weaver from Santo Domingo Xenacoj, shares about the güipil designs and traditions in her town.

She comes all the way to our studio in Antigua every other Saturday to teach backstrap weaving, at times accompanied by her cousins Doña Rosa and Doña Francis, also talented weavers. 🫶🏽

Our studio classes are all taught by masters of each craft.

Gracias por compartir, Doña Cristina.

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Localización

Teléfono

Página web

https://linktr.ee/kakawdesigns

Dirección

1a Avenida Sur #4B
Antigua

Horario de Apertura

Lunes 09:00 - 16:00
Martes 09:00 - 16:00
Miércoles 09:00 - 16:00
Jueves 09:00 - 16:00
Viernes 09:00 - 16:00