New Commuter Tote!

Another NEW MayaWorks product, the Commuter Tote! This gorgeous bag is stylish, roomy and sturdy. Made with rust toned handmade fabric, it offers a medium strap-length perfect for commuting. Measures 15.5" long x 18.5" wide. Straps measure 11" long. Great alternative to the carry-all bag. Made by the Chixot artisans in Comalapa,Guatemala.

Order one!

Masquerade for a Cause!

Come Join MayaWorks and others at

Masquerade for a Cause!
Wednesday, April 7th
Simone's Bar 960 W. 18th St.
Time: 7pm to close 2am

7pm - 9pm: Looking for volunteer opportunities? internships? responsible travel tourism? Meet and greet the seven non-profit organizations:
Los Patojos/Rising Minds, Chicago Fair Trade, Greenheart, Mayaworks, Womancraft, Academy for Global Citizenship, UNICEF-DePaul U.
FREE appetizers: vegatable quesadillas, tortilla chip chicken fingers, empanadas, and more!

9pm - 2am: music provided by Chicago dj's: Omar Perez, Rick Perez
21 to enter, $10 door charge

70% of proceeds will go the following seven organizations:

1. Los Patojos & Rising Minds, http://www.lospatojos.org.gt/ & http://www.risingminds.org/
2. Chicago Fair Trade, http://www.chicagofairtrade.org/
3. Greenheart, http://www.cci-exchange.com/greenheart_home.aspx
4. Mayaworks, https://www.mayaworks.org/
5. Womancraft, http://www.womancraft.net/
6. UNICEF-DePaul University, http://www.unicef.org/
7. Academy for Global Citizenship, http://www.agcchicago.org/

We hope to see you there!

MayaWorks New Children's Aprons

Introducing MayaWorks New Fair Trade Children's Apron! This fun, colorful apron was designed specifically for active 3-5 year olds. Great for a painting smock or for cooking, and also for preschool or kindergarden classes.

Measures 16" long x 17.5" wide. Neck strap is closed for easy slip-on. Includes small pockets on front of apron! 100% cotton.

Order online!

MayaWorks on facebook!

Did you know that MayaWorks has a facebook page?! Its a great way to show your support of our artisan partners while also getting awesome MayaWorks updates!

Become our fan!

Chicago Passes Fair Trade Resolution!

Congratulations Chicago!!! Chicago Fair Trade's fair trade resolution was passed unanimously Feb 10th, 2010 by the full council after getting support from the Finance Committee. This moves Chicago an important step closer to its goal to become a fair trade city! Goals of fair trade towns USA include:

•City Council Resolution
•Fair Trade available in local shops
•Fair Trade at work places, schools, faith communities and community organizations
•Media attention
•Formation of local fair trade steering group

A Fair Trade Town is any community in which people and organizations use their everyday choices to increase sales of fair trade products and help promote positive change for farmers and workers in developing countries. Since 2000, over 600 communities in three continents have worked to promote the ideals of Fair Trade Towns. If the Chicago becomes a Fair Trade Town, it will make it the largest in North America.

Great job Chicago Fair Trade!

Have you seen MayaWorks Tallitot?

Have you heard about MayaWorks NEW Fair Trade Tallitot? Handwoven by Lila and other artisans in Comalapa, it is decorated with Maya-inspired star shapes and stripes on either end of the tallit. Fringe is hand-tied and arrives without tzizit. Special requests for knotted tzizit can be made available by special order.

Tallitot are available in 22" by 72" and 36" by 72" in either Blue, Red/Brown or Rainbow. Visit mayaworks.org to view more photos and to place your order. You can also call us at 312.243.8050.

MayaWorks at Winifred Godfrey's Mayan Procession

Join us Friday, March 26th from 5:00-7:30pm for the opening of Mayan Procession by local Chicago artist and MayaWorks volunteer, Winifred Godfrey. Her beautiful life size paintings will be on display at the Cultural Cener in the Renaissance Gallery from March 26th to May 2nd and we encourage you to visit! Admission is free. Winnie will also be giving a lecture on Guatemala on Wednesday, March 31st at 2pm (enter at E. Randolph Street). Visit Winnie's website!

The opening on March 26th will be accompanied with a MayaWorks sale. We would love to see you there! This is an event not to be missed!