We are a retired couple, who, in 2013, decided to spend the winter in Ecuador. We discovered this South American nation to be a strikingly diverse and beautiful country with warm, hospitable people. But we also found that good jobs and a reliable income are difficult to come by for most Ecuadorians. We wanted to do something to help. But what?

While visiting local markets, we were attracted to the artistry and quality of the handicrafts we saw. We learned that most items are made in home workshops where artisans often toil 12 to 18 hours a day, seven days a week, just to provide for their family’s basic needs. But even with long hours and hard work, there is no guarantee that they will be able to sell their handicrafts for a fair price.

We founded Arts of Ecuador to help these families by purchasing their products at a fair price and marketing them in the United States. We settled on our product line of hand-crafted wool animal hats, Tagua keychains, and colorful coin purses. We work closely with the families to design unique products that will appeal to the American market and, at the same time, provide them with a stable source of income. We also emphasize products and production processes that are environmentally friendly, sustainable and do not adversely impact wildlife habitat.

In the years since we started Arts of Ecuador, the company has grown well beyond our initial expectations. Today the unique animal hats and other products you see in this catalog can be found in more than 100 gift shops across the nation, ranging from Alaska to New England and Florida. Many of them are in zoos and aquariums. To all of you, our dealers, representatives, clients and customers, we and the artisan families who lovingly make these wonderful gift items, extend our heartfelt thanks.