Meet Gloria Bajxac — the very first weaver I met, and the beginning of what Grace & Fire has become today.

On my first trip to Guatemala, I met Gloria in her home, built from sun-dried mud bricks and whatever materials could be found, repurposed, or generously donated to her family over time. She shared with us that she was a weaver and owned a loom.

When I asked if I could see it, she walked over and brought out the five simple sticks you see here.

Not a large machine.
Not a studio.
Just five worn pieces of wood, generations of knowledge, and the determination of a mother doing everything she could to care for her family.

That moment changed me.

What began with Gloria’s loom became the start of our Weaving Collective for Mothers, supported by Casa Tabito — our partner clinic serving families in rural Guatemala.

Today, women are weaving from their homes, earning dignified income, preserving ancestral artistry, and becoming part of a growing collective of mothers supporting one another through their work and resilience.

Grace & Fire started with a conversation, five sticks, and one mother willing to share her story.