By Christopher Holland • The Current Contributing Writer
Growing up in Colombia, South America, Maria Loyd started her journey in fashion at 7 years old, and little did she know then where it would take her in life.
Owner of Artisanal Gifts by Mabacol International at 103 Broadway in Jim Thorpe, Loyd showcases native indigenous culture to the world through fashion by recycling materials that she uses in her hand-crafted line of products such as clothing and jewelry, with a specialty in forging shoes from all-natural products.
“The main service at my store is to help our visitors find the right shoe with the purpose of supporting their back, knee, hip and ankle pain,” Loyd said.
“We are also helping people understand the benefit of my unique and innovative technique of combining recycled rice husks and the natural and organic rubber plant as well as helping them to understand the recycled concept, while maintaining an amazing show room with an exhibition of all different kinds of jewelry, from recycled seeds, peels and beans,” she said.
While living in Colombia, Loyd worked her way up in the fashion industry before expatriating to the United States in 2004, working in beauty in fashion in New York City. But, after some time in the big city, she felt it was time to revisit her former fashion roots of her native land and start her own company.
“It was scary since I didn’t have the language [English] down, and I didn’t have the money either… but, I am here, fighting for what I love and want to do,” she said. “This is in my blood it is my passion.”
When Loyd first opened her business in Pennsylvania, she had retail space the Lehigh Valley Mall in Whitehall, where she says she still has a lot of clientele coming from.
However, she says that most of her clients came from traveling trade shows that she’s attended over the years.
“They are from all over the place, even Europe,” Loyd said.
And while she’s excited to have her clients visit her shop on Broadway, she’s very supportive of other local businesses in the area and encourages her customers to frequent other shops nearby.
What really drives Loyd is supporting poor and low-income communities in different places all over the world, because she said “I know exactly what it is like to not have anything.” Most of her sources for her hand-made products come from community farms in different countries: coffee beans, black and white natural beans, and red beans from Colombia.
“One of the most amazing plants, the Tagua Palm Nut, comes from Ecuador, which I use a lot to make my vegan and natural jewelry,” she said. And since this kind of plant doesn’t grow in the USA, it is from an ECUATORIAN zone natives’ economy.
“I definitely have to bring it [the product] from overseas; this is my best selling item,” she said.
“I also use national, US companies for recycled orange peels and orange seeds which are coming from California… I use the peels and seeds for my vegan natural bracelets and necklaces.”
She said that’s she has been experimenting with a few different kinds of corn for necklaces but, couldn’t find the best place to be able to naturally dye them.
She said the rice shells she uses for some of her jewelry come from different farms in Colombia, Costa Rica and Philippines.
Loyd says that the most exciting part about having opened her store is seeing how happy and amazed people are when the visit.
“They learn so much history about indigenous cultures and lifestyles, economy bases and so much more, while educating new generations,” she said.
A big goal of hers is to educate clients and customers about indigenous communities, to show them that these things are real and “not just in books.” She collaborates often with Don Wild Eagle and Jon Thorpe (grandson of Jim Thorpe) to help promote her products and share stories with the local community and beyond.
“I love talking with kids and wrapping presents with them… and one of the most important parts for me is making it an unforgettable experience for them visiting the town and the time they spend at my store,” she said.
Another endeavor that Loyd truly takes pride in is her giving back programs, where she helps underserved and less-fortunate communities in Colombia by providing donations to children to help them excel in life.
“I was really inspired to continue helping after getting a letter from former US president, Barack Obama, congratulating me on my citizenship,” she said.
“In the letter, he states and reminds us to be good samaritans and be active in our community and to pay our dues… This is what I do and I appreciate it so much that America opened its doors for my art.”
Loyd takes pride in honoring the Kuna indigenous communities of Colombia, their ancestors and elders, as well as the Native American indigenous communities in the United States.
“The symbolism has been shared with me by the main Kuna Native in charge of protecting the history and the truth of the Kuna people,” she said.
“I also received education from Don Wild Eagle, who is a messenger of the Elders. He has taught me about the symbolism here in America and the history of the four native nations.”
Today, Loyd is trying to help these indigenous communities by designing products which go with the fashion industry, using fabrics she used in her own childhood as part of her product-enhancing original pieces of art.
She says that no patters are repeated, and every piece is one-of-a-kind.
“We have products from different native cultures such as the Kuna, Wayuu, Incas, Arhuacos and more,” she said.
Loyd currently manages three giving back programs where a percentage of her profits go to helping kids in native communities in different nations.
“By teaching new generations, we will create better guests for our Mother Earth,” Loyd said.
For more visit https://artisanal.gifts
Store hours:
Monday: 10:00am – 5:00pm
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: 11:00am – 5:00pm
Thursday: 11:00am – 6:00pm
Friday: 11:00am – 8:00pm
Saturday: 10:00am – 9:00pm
Sunday: 10:00am – 7:00pm
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