"When you have a product that is so beautiful, you want to make sure the artist gets a fair wage. I think that is the most important reason we opened our business"
- Paul Jones, Owner, HandmadeEcuadorArt.com

About HandmadeEcuadorArt.com

Our inspiration for selling hand made Art from Ecuador came from many face to face visits in many different towns. When we started looking at their work it became abvious that they have taken craftsmanship to a level of excellence which could bestbe described as Art.They take great pride in what they do and do not rush the process because of it. That is why when we decided ro name our website we were going to showcase handmade Art.

"handemadeecuadorart.com" is a long site address but it says what we are trying to do. The website helps us to expose the truly wonderful hand made Art  from Ecuador. If you have any questions, please contact us

A Personal Letter From Luis Gallegos,

Ambassador Of Ecuador

Dear Mr.& Mrs. Jones,

It was a great pleasure to meet you. I am honored that you visited my country so many times, and that you felt compelled to help our local artisans, first through the purchases you made for your store and now with your attractive website.

HandMadeEcuadorArt.com not only offers an impressive variety of Ecuadorian artwork, but is a wonderful snapshot of our country and its people. The site is striking in the amount of information it provides on Ecuadorian culture and the unique artwork it produces.

I wish to encourage you in your endeavor to generate business for these men and women. I agree when you say their skill elevates them above most of the world's craftsmen, and that what they produc is truly art.

Finally let me say that your knowledge and enthusiasm for my country is heartwarming. I appreciate all of the work that you have done. It was, again, a pleasure to meet you.

Ecuador Trip Lures Couple Out Of Retirement

by Ayesha Ahmad
Staff Writer, The Laurel Gazette

Many Americans visiting Third-World countries may be struck by the contrast in living conditions. and wish to help those who have less, but one Laurel couple actually wasted no time in making a difference.

"When you have a product that is so beautiful, you want to make sure the artist gets the value. I think that is the most important reason we opened our business," said Betty Jones, 72.

The Joneses had not been world travelers before, but decided to explore Ecuador as a possible retirement site because of its lush landscapes and temperate climate. Although it was as beautiful as they had hoped, they also encountered toddler-sized children and elderly people begging, in a country where 45% of the population lives below the poverty line.

They came across a little shop owned by a distributor who sold figurines carved from vegetable ivory in the capital of Quito that paid the artisan fair wages. This put their retirement plans on hold.