Our Artisans
We want you to get to know the lives and feelings of the protagonists behind each craft, as well as the aesthetic and cultural traditions linked to the artisanal work of communities in Colombia.
Meet our Artisan of the Month
Each craft has a story to tell: the story of the hands that created it. Every artisan has a special perception of life; their traditions, beliefs, and dreams leave a unique and indestructible mark on their creation.
The craftwork is the most tangible manifestation of the cultural heritage of Colombian communities, their ancestral knowledge passed down through generations. It is the most beautiful expression of the everyday, of their relationship with the environment and nature. It is the bond with their spirituality, their territories, their way of life, and their way of feeling.
At 369 Open, we want you to meet each and every one of them, with their stories, their techniques, their spirituality, and their dreams. Welcome!
Weaving a Network of Stories
At 369 Open, we are weaving a network of artisans across Colombia, from north to south, connecting unique talents and traditions. Our mission is to discover and promote the cultural wealth of each region, from the Caribbean coasts to the Andes and Putumayo.
We are bringing together artisans from indigenous, Afro-Colombian, and rural communities to create a platform that celebrates the diversity and creativity of our country. In this way, 369 Open becomes a bridge between Colombia's roots and the world, bringing the authentic essence of our culture to every corner of the planet.
Our Commitment
We support local artisans, guaranteeing a sustainable source of income, offering high-quality products that reflect the excellence and authenticity of Colombian craftsmanship.
Our Purpose
We ensure that our artisans receive fair and equitable compensation for their work, allowing them to maintain a dignified quality of life and continue developing their skills and traditions.
Greener
Our artisans follow sustainable production practices; clean and environmentally respectful, using recyclable materials and biodegradable natural fibers, preserving Colombia's natural heritage.
"With the goal of making the land of their ancestors productive"
In the municipality of Monguí, Boyacá department, Colombia, Mardoqueo Ladino was born. From a young age, he learned the craft of basketry, passed down by his grandmother and mother.
After finishing high school, he traveled to Bogotá in search of better opportunities. He stayed there for about 12 years and eventually decided to return to the highlands of his beloved Boyacá with the goal of working and making the land of his ancestors productive.
He began planting esparto and white straw, improving the collection technique, realizing that the artisans needed raw material with certain quality parameters, such as good maturity, size, and cleanliness of the fiber. He implemented controls and good practices, which allowed him to position himself and sell at better prices.
Thus, he began his work as an esparto collector more than eight years ago. Today, artisans recognize Mardoqueo as the supplier who brings them high-quality material. In 2015, within the framework of the productive improvement strategy for Artesanías de Colombia, Mardoqueo received technical assistance for the sustainable use of esparto, through workshops on good practices and support in the environmental process for the legal access to esparto.
After three years of management and continuous support from Artesanías de Colombia, in 2018 he obtained the first sustainable use permit for the non-wood species of esparto, located in the Guina Páramo, Boyacá department, granted by the Regional Autonomous Corporation CorpoBoyacá, benefiting artisan communities dedicated to basketry in the region.
Currently, he works with a group of 12 collectors who gather esparto every 20 to 30 days. He also created the collective “Artesanías del Páramo de Guina” where mostly female artisans, heads of families, create esparto basketry.
Today, at 369 Open, we work in partnership with Mardoqueo to bring the world a piece of our history, our tradition, and our love for Colombian handmade products. In every fiber, in every product, lives the story of our collectors and artisans, who with their hands dream of continuing to weave peace and development opportunities, not only for their families but also for a Colombia that has much to teach the world!
"He who doesn’t wake up early to weave in Morroa must do it in the heat"
The municipality of Morroa, in the Sucre department, in northern Colombia, saw the birth of Minelva Corena, an extraordinary artisan dedicated to weaving, especially hammocks. Her weaving technique and quality were inherited from her grandmother and mother, who taught her the craft with dedication and discipline.
At five years old, she started learning by winding thread (a technique that involves wrapping thread around a spool). At ten, she moved in with her grandmother, and during this time, she initially learned to make thread balls and weave sashes on a vertical loom. During the day, she would weave the sashes and leave them ready to sell the next day, using the money to buy coffee for the house.
A year later, at age 11, Minelva stopped weaving sashes on a 15cm loom and started weaving hammocks on a 2-meter loom, the traditional loom used to make hammocks in Morroa.
Minelva’s life, like many Colombians from the regions, was shaped by armed conflict, particularly in the Montes de María. From her Morroa, the constant sounds of Colombian army helicopters and bomb explosions from the armed conflict with guerrillas filled the air, bringing terror to the fields and regions.
The war was a demon that brought desolation, soon isolating her town and preventing artisans like her from selling their products.
As often happens in times of crisis, innovative ideas arose. Minelva started adding macramé fringes to her hammocks, new colors, and designs. Soon, her products became more colorful and of a higher quality. Today, Minelva weaves her hammocks on four looms, starting work at 4 AM, because, as she says, “he who doesn’t wake up early to weave in Morroa has to do it in the heat.” From the early hours, she prepares the 1,050 threads for the traditional Morroa hammocks, which have a looser weave compared to those from San Jacinto or La Guajira.
Minelva Corena is another example of the hardworking, disciplined, and innovative Colombian woman. She, like many artisans, alongside our 369 Open team, will continue working to share our story and the story of our people, represented in our crafts, because we are dream weavers!