Meet our artisan Vanesa
We've proudly collaborated with Vanesa since our humble beginnings in 2022, when Consuelo and I walked into her workshop and asked if we could try out some custom designs. Thankfully, Vanesa said yes, and now every single Rayas basket is crafted in her workshop located in Nahuizalco, El Salvador. This partnership has been key to our goal of supporting traditional artisanship and empowering local talent.
As word has spread and more of you have discovered Rayas and Vanesa's beautiful baskets over the past year, we've had the chance to grow our team. We’re thrilled that Vanesa's mother and brother have joined us, bringing even more family spirit and community ties to this beautiful craft.
Together with Vanesa, we’ve developed our infamous Loco basket, a unique design that evolves each year. Vanesa creatively uses offcuts and leftover materials from other baskets, crafting stunning and unexpected color combinations that surprise and delight us just as much as they do you!
On a recent visit to Vanesa, we were accompanied by Monica Torrento, a talented local photographer based in San Salvador. Monica captured the special energy and intricate processes that take place backstage, showcasing the incredible dedication that goes into making every Rayas basket for you.