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Crocheted- Scented Hacky Sack Toy-Fair Trade-Guatemala

$6.95 USD

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Looking for a great gift for children; something they can kick, throw, and juggle? These hand-made crocheted hacky sacks from Guatemala make great toys for kids of all ages. They are also great stress balls. In addition to being able to throw and toss around, just squeeze and smell them; they give off a wonderful scent that can help reduce stress.

These scented hacky sacks come in six different colors/patterns and scents:

Bubble Gum - Blue and Red Tones
Cinnamon - Brown Tones
Citrus - Yellow & Orange Tones
Forest - Green & Blue Tones
Lavender - Purple Tones
Mint-Green Tones

Each hacky sack measures approximately 2-1/2" wide x 2" high.

Box measures 3-3/4" high x 8-1/4" wide x 7-1/2" deep, and holds 30 pieces (5 of each scent).

Handmade in Guatemala and fair trade imported.

Click on "About the Artisans" below to learn more about the Fair Trade Artisans that make this eco-friendly art.

About the Artisans

Chichicastenango, Guatemala, has become one of the most important heritage centers in Guatemala during the past 10 years, due to its predominant indigenous Maya Quiche population and their traditional textile products. Yet, despite increased tourism and a renewed interest in traditional Mayan crafts, work opportunities remain few for the indigenous population, many of whom are uneducated and otherwise unemployable.

De Colores Artisan - Sewing a Smile Enter De Colores Art, a local business that levels the playing field for villagers by offering free training to anyone who demonstrates the initiative to learn a trade. The company employs 30 women and 18 men to knit and embroider textile products, with the option of working at home using materials provided by the company. De Colores recognizes the culture of its Mayan employees, and as such allows flexible hours and gives time off for sowing and harvest days.

De Colores also invests in community education projects by funding two local schools in the neighboring towns of Chujupen y Pachoj, and by providing scholarships to qualifying students.

In addition to stimulating the local economy by creating new jobs, De Colores makes a conscious effort to use recycled materials whenever possible. The reason for this is twofold: to preserve Mayan culture, as recycled textiles showcase traditional knitting patterns that aren’t often seen in newer textiles, and to reduce scraps and waste.

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Communities collaborate in the production process, as men work on the biggest textiles and women do the embroidery, crochet and macramé seen in smaller pieces. In some cases, in order to be competitive, sewing machines are used to assemble the finished product, although all the components are handmade and hand embroidered from cotton, wool and/or silk.