The Grace & Fire Story: Following the Breadcrumbs

A Calling I Never Expected

When people ask how Grace & Fire began, I often smile and say, “Honestly, I never imagined this.” I never pictured myself designing leather bags. I never imagined starting a weaving collective in rural Guatemala. Yet here we are.

What started as a small idea for a school fundraiser—a market featuring global and local artisans—turned into something much bigger. I ordered shipping boxes, far too many. A friend suggested I send them back. Instead, I asked, “What about leather bags?”

That one question began a journey that has changed me forever.

From Fundraiser to Purpose

That same friend connected me to her cousin Karlie, who runs a clinic in Guatemala called Casa Tabito, our continued parter to our mission. She had been managing a small project called Soltera Leather, but was preparing to close it so she could focus on caring for malnourished babies and the mothers who bring them.

I asked her, “What if I take this on under Grace & Fire, so you can continue your life-changing work?”

A few months later, I was on a plane to Guatemala.

Life in the Villages

My first trip was eye-opening. Roosters crowed through the night, smoke drifted from distant fires, and we rode in the back of truck beds down dirt roads to deliver food bags. We sat on porches made of dirt, listened to stories of loss, and saw children playing in villages climbing trees or kicking around a soccer ball.

What began as a business trip became a promise. A promise to keep showing up, even when I wasn’t sure what difference I could make.

Building the Collective

On my second trip, fear was still there. How could I possibly make an impact on problems so deeply rooted in poverty? But I reminded myself: courage isn’t the absence of fear—it’s choosing to act anyway.

Now, our weaving collective is real.

• Silvia sews dust bags that protect every Grace & Fire design.

• Ester works at the clinic while raising three boys.

• Estephanie weaves beautiful tapestries while looking after Ester’s children.

• Gloria continues to weaver her masterful work along with 3 other Mothers.

Four more mothers are waiting to join, watching closely to see if this opportunity truly holds hope.

This is the beginning.

Why It Matters

Behind every bag is more than leather and thread—it’s resilience, dignity, and the possibility of a sustainable future. These women carry trauma and fear of disappointment, but they also carry strength.

And the truth is, none of this happens without you.

• Your purchases keep the collective growing.

• Your shares and follows amplify the mission.

• Your encouragement fuels the belief that we can make a difference.

Carrying Grace & Fire Forward

Grace & Fire isn’t just a brand. It’s a movement built on the belief that women everywhere carry the fire to thrive—and the grace to lift each other up along the way.

So when you carry one of our bags, you’re carrying more than a story. You’re carrying hope.

Together, we can make a difference for these Guatemalan Mothers.