Do you want to support artisan communities in Mexico while shopping for quality, unique fashion and accessories? Check out Electric Array today!
Now days its all the rage to be an educated consumer! If you aren't keeping up with how things are made or where they come from and how they effect our planet, you should be...
I recently learned about a company called Eclectic Array. They have boutiques in Mexico that work to provide living wages and sustainable opportunities for artisans in Mexico. The indigenous population in Mexico and impoverished individuals that learn to make crafts are the groups they strive to tend to most and even work with them to better their lives by giving micro-loans to grow a business of their own. The ripple effect of their work is remarkable. When they help an artisan, it changes the lives of those in their family and also is a contributing factor to improving their community. It really is a beautiful project.
They currently have 7 boutiques in tourist destinations in Mexico in Los Cabos area and also in Punta Mita and are continuing to grow fast. As if that isn't enough they are now expanding to a global market by launching their collections online, no longer is it limited to shopping while you are on vacation in those dreamy beach destinations in Mexico.
Eclectic Array started back in 2016, as the founder Faryn Clark had recently moved to Cabo San Lucas to live life differently full time with her husband and three boys from Dallas, TX. She loved travel and wanted her children to learn Spanish and also to have an appreciation for other cultures. Her love deepened as she traveled to destinations that few American venture to in Mexico, and her appreciation for the traditional art of the indigenous artisans of Mexico grew to another level. Through her travels she loved hearing the stories of the individuals that made the pieces and wanted to know everything about the techniques they used to make the pieces as well. This love turned into a hobby by helping artisans sell their products at markets and pop up shops, which 10 months later into a business with employees and a retail store front.
Faryn Clark, the founder stated, "We aren't just any boutique, we are a boutique of story tellers. We focus on sharing the techniques and stories of the artisans that make all the pieces we carry. It is remarkable to see peoples love grow for a product that they have selected to purchase when they learn who it helped, where they live, and how it was made. It takes their love of each piece to a different level". At Eclectic Array with their new online store they are doing this as well by sharing videos that connect people to know each of these special stories.
The online store offers high quality pet accessories including collars and leashes, alongside apparel and shoes, homeware, and other gifts and accessories. If you want to shop for quality Mexican-inspired accessories and apparel, this online store has you covered. You can buy eye-catching items while supporting fair-trade and talented artisans all throughout Mexico.
Eclectic Array works with talented artisans who make handmade products across every region of Mexico. They currently work with over 300 groups of artisans in Mexico with an aim to combat the mass production from overseas, which has taken away much of the local work. They are able to make a big impact with artisans because they work on how they can modernize the pieces that are made to give even more opportunity, by evolving fashion and the traditional pieces into items on trend - this dramatically grows the production of the artisans they are committed to helping.
When the company first started, one of the things the founder, Faryn Clark, recognized was not only that the artisans needed more opportunity to sell their products, but that they also needed a way to scale their business as they received more orders. The best way to do this was through a loan so they could grow their business as any traditional business would. The founder was inspired by Kiva, a non-profit organization that specializes in micro-finance loans. She especially loved the micro-loans given to individuals in poverty that were seeking small scale entrepreneurship opportunities. This would help bring more money to the artisan, their family and their community. It was the perfect model to bring assistance and pride in the work they were doing, but assisting them in the growth of their business and their trade to live on for future generations. The regularly participate in micro-loans for many of their artisans, the founder said "giving micro-loans is definitely one of my favorite parts of this business. To see the life change first hand as the artisans grow their business and transform their lives- it really is special".
On their website they state: “We believe in fair trade, unique, beautifully crafted items that are affordable and make people happy. Together we can change the world. Let's shop global!”
More information can be found at: https://eclecticarray.com
