The Future of Handcrafts in Latin America

Handcrafts have always played an important role in the rich culture of Latin America. From the indigenous communities of Mexico to the artisanal villages of Peru, handcrafts have been passed down from generation to generation and have become an integral part of the region’s cultural heritage. These are very important part of Latin American culture, reflecting the rich heritage and traditions of the region and have played an essential role in shaping the identity and economy of Latin America.

However, in recent years handcrafts in Latin America have faced numerous challenges, including declining demand, competition from mass-produced goods, and limited access to markets, making the lives of artisans and continuation of this activity very challenging. At IndiArts we support these traditional crafts as we want artisans to continue this activity because we love their work and know how important this is for everyone in their community and for the local culture maintenance.

Photo description: This is a market I visited in Puerto Vallarta last February while on vacation. I found a mixed of authentic and mass- produced goods.

1. Declining demand

Many traditional handcrafts are not popular with younger generations, who are more interested in modern, mass-produced goods. Also, many people chose the cheapest option of a product, which is the mass-produce copy of the traditional crafts.

At IndiArts, we work closely with our artisan partners to create products with more modern designs so they can be more appealing to the North American market, while improving, modifying or innovating the artisanal products. For this reason, many of our products are unique to our brand and different to the more traditional designs. We believe that in order to revive interest in handcrafts, it is important to offer modern and versatile designs more attractive to contemporary consumers.

2. Competition from mass-produced goods

With technology and automation, many goods that were once handmade are now produced on a large scale, at a fraction of the cost. These are often produced in Asia and then imported into Latin America. As a result, many consumers opt for cheaper, less authentic products. This has make it very difficult for many artisans to make a living, as their products are seen as less valuable and less desirable compared to mass-produced goods.

At IndiArts, we make sure we know every artisan that makes our products to guarantee that we offer authentic handmade products.

3. Limited access to markets

Artisans markets is often limited to their local community and tourists that come to their location. This is due to language barrier and artisans lack of training in technology to connect with an international audience.

At IndiArts we want to be a marketplace of artisanal products and represent our talented makers and connect them to a global audience!

However, despite these challenges, the future of handcrafts in Latin America is hopeful. There is a growing recognition of the value of handcrafted goods, both in terms of their cultural significance and the impact they have on the local economy. This has resulted in an increasing global interest in authentic, handcrafted goods, which could bring a greater demand for handcrafted goods in Latin America in the coming years.

Moreover, many consumers are now seeking out handcrafted goods as a way of connecting with their heritage and supporting local communities, for which handicrafts are great options.

To ensure the future of handcrafts in Latin America, it is important to support the artisans who create these products. We can do this by buying authentic goods at a fair price. Please don't ask for discounts to artisans! At IndiArts, we buy all our products over the asking price as we really value the dedication, talent and hard work that is put into each product. Another option if you can't travel yourself to buy these products is to buy them from us and feel good to know that the artisans that made the products are being treated fairly.

Additionally, on the broader scope, we hope local governments to start providing more support to artisans including training and resources to assist them to reach a wider market and improve their business practices. Also, raising awareness of the importance of handcrafted goods in the local community could be a great help too. Lastly, providing tax incentives, investing in infrastructure, or establishing programs to help artisans access new markets are other ways governments could help these artisans. 

Let us know your thoughts or comments in the comments below!