Over $94.7 million sent to artisans so far!

Jalapa Girl Jewelsmiths

Jalapa Girl Jewelsmiths

Handcrafted silver and leather jewelry with gemstones in Central America

This fingerprint is for the buyer to know they are buying an item that is helping to improve the life of a Guatemalan girl.

The story of this group begins with its loving founder, Clare Johnston Kunkel, a woman who was touched by the story of Casa Hogar, a home for women, in Guatemala. The girls and young women who live here come from small towns, mining cities and agricultural communities. This place is now home to about 110 girls between the ages of two and 21 who come from homes with problems, some who are abused, orphans or extremely poor.

Clare decided to travel from the U.S. in February 2007 to offer her help. Her motivation was to volunteer and teach the older girls how to sew. It was quickly made obvious how teaching the girls basic sewing techniques began making changes to their lives.

Knowing how to sew improved the girls' chances of being employed, but their growth was limited. Since they only had the ability to sew, it wasn't enough to start their own business and be successful.

Clare began to develop an entrepreneurship training program. The platform of this study plan is a curriculum with measurable objectives within a specific time frame. Since 2008, Clare has dedicated a lot of time coming back to the Casa Hogar to work with the girls. This program with Casa Hogar has been built bit by bit over quite a few years. Now, 20 girls work in the project. They all live in the Casa Hogar and are open to trying new opportunities to form their dreams at a young age.

The goal with the girls is to help them during their formative years so they can develop their abilities to the maximum and learn many new things.

Currently, the girls are working on sewing, creating bags and other accessories with traditional textiles. In addition, they have learned to craft jewelry using silver, gemstones and leather.

The girls go through a year of training in other areas before working with silver. It's a process that takes some time to learn, but many of them have become very interested and are now capable of creating intricate designs.

Everyone involved with the project is proud to say everything is done by hand. We don't use molds or stamps, with the exception of a few letters and numbers. In each design, the girl who creates it adds her fingerprint. This fingerprint is for the buyer to know they are buying an item that is helping to improve the life of a Guatemalan girl.

All of the girls work hard and enthusiastically to earn a living.

This project's mission has been achieved little by little by training young Guatemalan women and allowing them to earn a better income and make financial decisions. Earning one's own money allows a person to have economic autonomy and breaks down social barriers. The first step is to have a meaningful employment based on education and job training.

The goal is for the girls to become self-sufficient and sure of themselves. Casa Hogar assures that the girls receive loving attention, a secure home and basic education. The project offers training to live in the real world so they can gain a dignified job and a steady of income for their homes.

La Casa Hogar is a Catholic institution. It is directed by nuns who give the girls the necessary tools to be successful and happy women.

Cause Badges

Empowering Women

Preserving Traditions

Covering Basic Needs

Profound Impact

Confronting Adversity

68 items by Jalapa Girl Jewelsmiths

Stellar ImprintLeather Fine Silver Wrap Charm Bracelet from Guatemala

Length: 22.5"

5.0

$74.99
Vibrant BeautySterling Silver Beaded Bracelet from Guatemala

Size: 7.5" L x 0.1" W

5.0

$39.99
Walks of LifeMulticolored Guatemalan Leather Braided Wristband Bracelet

Length: 8.5"

4.9

$39.99
Walk of Life in Blue999 Silver Blue Leather Charm Wristband Bracelet Guatemala

Length: 7"

4.7

$47.99
Faithful DependanceGuatemalan Fine Silver and Leather Cross Pendant Necklace

Size: 18 to 20 inches

4.0

$29.99
Hammered RingGuatemalan Fine Silver and Cultured Pearl Bangle Bracelet

Size: 7.5" Inner Circ. x 0.1" W

5.0

$29.99
Walk of Life in BrownFine Silver Brown Leather Charm Wristband Bracelet Guatemala

Length: 7"

5.0

$49.99
Gleaming GeometryGeometric Sterling Silver Beaded Bracelet from Guatemala

Size: 7.5" L x 0.1" W

5.0

$39.99
Peaceful GleamElegant Sterling Silver Beaded Bracelet from Guatemala

Size: 7.5" L x 0.1" W

$39.99
Walk of Life in Red999 Silver Red Leather Charm Wristband Bracelet Guatemala

Length: 7"

4.0

$49.99
Natural GuardianFine Silver Dragonfly Pendant Necklace from Guatemala

Size: longer than 22 inches

$97.99
Splendor and BrillianceFine Silver and Cultured Pearl Earrings from Guatemala

Length: 2.8" x 1" W

$59.99
Friendly GuardianCitrine and Fine Silver Dog Pendant Necklace from Guatemala

Size: longer than 22 inches

$97.99
Ancestral GuideAmethyst and Fine Silver Sun and Moon Necklace

Size: longer than 22 inches

$89.99
Spiritual InspirationFine Silver Cross Pendant Necklace wth Cord from Guatemala

Length: 18"

1.0

$29.99
Gleaming CombinationHigh-Polish Sterling Silver Beaded Bracelet from Guatemala

Size: 7.5" L x 0.2" W

5.0

$29.99
Sunlight GuardianCitrine and Fine Silver Sun Pendant Necklace from Guatemala

Size: longer than 22 inches

$97.99
Rabbit GuardianRose Quartz and Fine Silver Rabbit Necklace from Guatemala

Size: longer than 22 inches

$97.99
Ancestral GuardianCultured Pearl and Fine Silver Pendant Necklace

Size: longer than 22 inches

$94.99
Ancestral LightAmethyst and Fine Silver Cat Necklace from Guatemala

Size: longer than 22 inches

$94.99
Brilliant OrbsSilver and Leather Beaded Wristband Bracelet in Blue

Length: 7.5"

$29.99
Hammered Ring in BlueFine Silver Bangle Bracelet in Blue from Guatemala

Size: 7.5" Inner Circ. x 0.1" W

3.0

$29.99
LovedRomantic Rose Quartz Pendant Necklace from Guatemala

Size: longer than 22 inches

$54.99
Hammered Ring in PinkFine Silver Bangle Bracelet in Blue from Guatemala

Size: 7.5" Inner Circ. x 0.1" W

$27.99
Casual StyleFine Silver and Leather Braided Wristband Bracelet in Brown

Length: 8.25"

$49.99
Tranquil CountryFine Silver and Jasper Beaded Bracelet from Guatemala

Size: 7.5" L x 0.6" W

5.0

$89.99
Walk of Life in WhiteFine Silver and Leather Braided Bracelet in White

Length: 7"

$49.99
Hammered Ring in GreenFine Silver Bangle Bracelet in Green from Guatemala

Size: 7.5" Inner Circ. x 0.1" W

$29.99
Hammered Ring in RedHandmade Fine Silver Bangle Bracelet in Red from Guatemala

Size: 7.5" Inner Circ. x 0.1" W

$29.99
Hammered Ring in Light BlueFine Silver Bangle Bracelet in Light Blue from Guatemala

Size: 7.5" Inner Circ. x 0.1" W

$29.99
Hammered Ring in YellowFine Silver Bangle Bracelet in Yellow from Guatemala

Size: 7.5" Inner Circ. x 0.1" W

$29.99
Sweet WhiteCultured Pearl and Leather Beaded Bracelet from Guatemala

Length: 7"

$29.99
Tranquil CountryFine Silver and Crystal Beaded Bracelet from Guatemala

Size: 7.5" L x 1" W

~~$59.99~~ $41.99
Shimmering MirrorsFine Silver Rectangular Dangle Earrings from Guatemala

Length: 1.1" x 0.5" W x 0.1" D

$54.99
Orange BrillianceSilver and Leather Beaded Wristband Bracelet in Orange

Length: 7.5"

$39.99
Tranquil CountryFine Silver and Jasper Beaded Bracelet from Guatemala

Size: 7.5" L x 0.6" W

~~$79.19~~ $55.43
Beautiful DelicacyCultured Pearl Beaded Bracelet from Guatemala

Length: 7.5"

5.0

$39.99
Love RectangleFine Silver and Red Leather Heart Bracelet from Guatemala

Length: 7"

$49.99
Silver Love in Brown999 Silver Brown Pendant Wristband Bracelet from Guatemala

Length: 7"

$89.99
Creative DropsFine Silver Droplet Dangle Earrings from Guatemala

Length: 1.3" x 0.6" W x 0.1" D

~~$59.99~~ $47.99
Creative CirclesFine Silver Modern Circle Dangle Earrings from Guatemala

Length: 1.7" x 0.6" W x 0.1" D

~~$99.99~~ $79.99
Beauty Without EndFine Silver and Amethyst Dangle Earrings from Guatemala

Length: 1.7" x 0.4" W

$69.99
Mother Claudia in RedRed Leather 999 Silver Braided Wristband Bracelet Guatemala

Length: 7.5"

$49.99
Feminine SweetnessAmethyst Leather and Fine Silver Beaded Wristband Bracelet

Size: 7.75" L (end to end) x 0.9" W

5.0

$69.99
Friendship Buttons in BrownFine Silver and Leather Wristband Bracelet from Guatemala

Length: 7"

5.0

$87.99
Tranquil CountryFine Silver and Crystal Beaded Bracelet from Guatemala

Size: 7.5" L x 1" W

$64.99
Fingerprint HeartsHeart-Shaped Fine Silver Drop Earrings from Guatemala

Length: 0.7" x 0.4" W

$27.99
Silver Love in Red999 Silver Red Leather Pendant Wristband Bracelet Guatemala

Length: 7"

$89.99
Mother Claudia in Blue999 Silver Blue Braided Wristband Bracelet from Guatemala

Length: 7.5"

~~$49.99~~ $39.99
Shimmering CirclesCombination Finish Fine Silver Shimmering Dangle Earrings

Length: 1.2" x 0.6" W x 0.1" D

$59.99
Reflection of LightFine Silver Drop Shaped Dangle Earrings from Guatemala

Length: 2.4" x 1.1" W x 0.1" D

$59.99
Peaceful BraidFine Silver and Leather Guatemalan Braided Wrap Bracelet

Length: 18"

$49.99
Mother Claudia in Brown999 Silver Brown Braided Wristband Bracelet from Guatemala

Length: 7.5"

~~$49.99~~ $39.99
Friendship Buttons in RedLeather Fine Silver Wristband Bracelet 8 Buttons Guatemala

Length: 7"

5.0

~~$79.99~~ $63.99
Creative GeometryFine Silver Square Shaped Dangle Earrings from Guatemala

Length: 1.7" x 0.5" W x 0.1" D

~~$99.99~~ $79.99
Tranquil CountryFine Silver and Amethyst Beaded Bracelet from Guatemala

Size: 7.5" L x 1" W

$64.99
Signal of LoveFine Silver Heart Pendant Necklace from Guatemala

Length: 18"

$39.99
Unwavering FaithCross Shaped Fine Silver Pendant Necklace from Guatemala

Size: longer than 22 inches

$199.99
FingerprintsCircular Fine Silver Pendant Necklace from Guatemala

Size: 16 to 18 inches

5.0

$39.99
Fingerprints in YellowFine Silver and Citrine Pendant Necklace from Guatemala

Size: 20 to 22 inches

$39.99
Beauty Without EndFine Silver and Tiger's Eye Dangle Earrings from Guatemala

Length: 1.7" x 0.4" W

$69.99
Beauty Without EndFine Silver and Crystal Dangle Earrings from Guatemala

Length: 1.6" x 0.4" W

$69.99
Amorous TrioFine Silver and Leather Pendant Bracelet from Guatemala

Length: 7"

$49.99
Shimmering EggFine Silver Guatemalan Pendant Necklace with Leather Cord

Length: 15"

4.0

$39.99
Shimmering SquaresFine Silver Dangle Earrings with Combination Finish

Length: 1.3" x 0.5" W x 0.1" D

$54.99
Cords of Love in MahoganyFine Silver Pendant Bracelet in Mahogany from Guatemala

Size: 8.5" L (end to end) x 0.4" W

$104.99
Good Luck Bumblebee999 Silver Bumble Bee Leather Wristband Bracelet Guatemala

Length: 7"

5.0

$49.99
FingerprintsFine Silver and Swarovski Crystal Pearl Dangle Earrings

Length: 1" x 0.5" W x 0.1" D

$49.99

BACK TO TOP