Flor Maria Cartuche

Ecuador

Year(s) attended: 2008

Fundación Warmipak Wasi

Beadwork

Cooperative artist Flor Maria Cartuche designs and weaves the traditional bead collars that identify the Saraguro, an indigenous southern Highland Ecuadorian people. The seed-bead collars – from one to six inches in width – are worn daily, even by very young girls. Wedding collars feature multi-colored beadwork and fine netting. The traditional bright colors, horizontal stripes and geometric (triple triangle) forms have been joined by contemporary designs that include “fresas” or berries, leaves and flowers. I believe that the Saraguri woman carries in her genes the skill to weave beads,” said Cartuche, “because each time they make different designs with colors that are pleasing to the eyes.”

Cartuche is part of the Fundacion Warmipak Wasi, a center that helps women who are victims of domestic or other violence. They earn money to help themselves through the foundation.  Cartuche, 36, herself designed and sold bead collars to help fund her college education and is now pursuing legal training to help the women at the foundation.