“The baskets are made by weaving cords of material around wooden molds, which are handmade by a local carpenter right next to Vanesa’s workshop,” explains Luisa, the designer for Rayas Collective. “It took several rounds of sampling before we were completely satisfied with the proportions and dimensions of each style.”

“We visited the producer of the raw material in San Salvador. The cords are made from a mix of post-consumer recycled plastic and locally sourced virgin materials. Some of the darker colors, like black and brown, are already made from 100% recycled plastic.”

“What I admire most about Salvadoran artisanship is its resourcefulness. It takes incredible creativity and adaptability to craft beautiful, high-quality products with limited materials. I also love how deeply woven into everyday life craftsmanship is in El Salvador. Handmade products aren’t just souvenirs for tourists—they are a part of daily life.”