Cooperative Cojolya
of Santiago Atitlán, Sololá
Founded in 1996 in the aftermath of the Guatemalan Civil War, Cojolya emerged as a response to the scarcity of work in Santiago Atitlán. Its mission is to provide fair, dignified employment to local artisans while also offering vital social support within the community. Today, Cojolya serves up to 40 artisans and their families, extending assistance in both healthcare and education.
The name “Cojolya” comes from the Tz’utujil language and means “between the waters,” a nod to the town’s location on the shores of Lake Atitlán. Santiago is especially known for its exquisite hand-embroidered huipiles—intricate works of art that can take up to four months to complete.
Shop Products By Alirio García
Handwoven by Alirio and his team on a footloom using the rare falsería technique, this one-of-a-kind throw is a masterwork of craftsmanship. Once common in Guatemala, falsería is now practiced by only a few master weavers. The process—designed to replicate the intricate motifs of traditional backstrap weaving on a larger scale—requires the precise coordination of 29 heddles. For each line of pattern, the weaver must lift a specific combination of ropes by hand, guided by a graph-paper pattern meticulously drafted for each design. This labor-intensive method takes up to eight times longer than weaving a solid fabric.
Each loom is custom-designed and built by local carpenters, tailored specifically to this technique. The floral motif featured in this throw reflects an old-world elegance that echoes the work of some of Regan’s longtime favorite textile designers from Italy—timeless, refined, and rooted in tradition. Because the fabric’s width is limited by the constraints of the loom, every seam and finish detail was thoughtfully considered and custom designed. The panels are joined with precision, honoring the complexity of the pattern while elevating the piece as a whole.
Finished by Irma with hand-knotted macramé and backed in a solid handwoven textile to protect its delicate surface, this throw adds both visual depth and substantial weight as a luxurious bed layer. A blend of heritage, precision, and elegance, it honors tradition while offering enduring beauty for modern homes.
PRODUCTION TIME: 156 Hours
See available samples here: SAMPLES
Handwoven by Alirio and his team on a footloom using the rare falsería technique, this throw is a true expression of master craftsmanship. Once widespread in Guatemala, falsería is now practiced by only a few highly skilled artisans capable of executing its complex patterns. This particular design requires the precise coordination of 50 heddles—a level of difficulty that demands deep technical expertise and intimate knowledge of weaving traditions.
The elegant oval motif is especially rare in Guatemalan textiles, where geometric forms typically dominate. Its presence here reflects both innovation and reverence: a bridge between ancestral symbolism and contemporary expression. The flowing curves and balanced rhythm of the pattern echo the refined sensibility of old-world European textiles, reminiscent of some of Regan’s longtime favorite Italian fabric houses—where tradition, sophistication, and artistry converge.
Due to the loom’s width limitations, this piece was woven in narrow panels, each one aligned with great precision. Every seam and finishing detail by Irma —from the custom-designed layout to the hand-executed joinery—was carefully considered to preserve the integrity of the pattern and elevate the final composition.
Finishing touches such as crochet joinery and a hand-stitched blanket edge add strength, refinement, and a quiet softness to the piece. The result is an original, one-of-a-kind textile that honors centuries of craftsmanship while offering a fresh, enduring addition to thoughtful interiors.
PRODUCTION TIME: 110 Hours
See available samples here: SAMPLES
Handwoven by Alirio and his team on a footloom using the rare falsería technique, this one-of-a-kind sham is a true expression of master craftsmanship. Once common in Guatemala, falsería is now practiced by only a handful of expert weavers. The technique—developed to replicate the intricate motifs of traditional backstrap weaving on a larger scale—requires the manual coordination of 29 heddles. For each line of pattern, the weaver lifts a precise combination of ropes by hand, following a meticulously drafted graph-paper design. This intricate method takes up to eight times longer than weaving a solid fabric.
The loom itself is custom-built by local carpenters to suit the demands of falsería, and the result is a richly detailed textile with exceptional character. The floral motif in this sham evokes an old-world elegance reminiscent of Regan’s favorite Italian textile designers—timeless, sophisticated, and deeply rooted in heritage. Due to the loom’s width limitations, every seam and construction detail was carefully considered. Each panel is joined with intention, ensuring the pattern remains uninterrupted and the final piece feels refined and bespoke.
Backed in a solid handwoven textile and finished with thoughtful, hand-done detailing by Irma, this sham brings softness, depth, and a sense of history to any bed. It’s a striking blend of heritage artistry and elevated design—crafted to endure, and to be treasured.
PRODUCTION TIME: 15 Hours
See available samples here: SAMPLES
Handwoven by Alirio and his team on a footloom using the rare falsería technique, this sham is a true expression of master craftsmanship. Once widespread in Guatemala, falsería is now practiced by only a few highly skilled artisans capable of executing its complex patterns. This particular design requires the precise coordination of 50 heddles—a level of difficulty that demands deep technical expertise and intimate knowledge of weaving traditions.
The elegant oval motif is especially rare in Guatemalan textiles, where geometric forms typically dominate. Its presence here reflects both innovation and reverence: a bridge between ancestral symbolism and contemporary expression. The flowing curves and balanced rhythm of the pattern recall the old-world elegance found in some of Regan’s longtime favorite Italian textile houses—where heritage, refinement, and artistry are woven into every thread.
Because the loom’s width is limited, each sham is carefully constructed from narrow panels. Every seam and detail by Irma—meticulously planned and custom designed—preserves the continuity of the pattern while enhancing the piece’s bespoke character. Finished with delicate crochet joinery and hand-stitched edges, this sham offers both strength and softness, bringing a sense of quiet luxury to any bed.
A singular blend of cultural heritage and elevated design, this sham is crafted to honor tradition while offering timeless beauty for today’s most thoughtful interiors.
PRODUCTION TIME: 15 Hours
See available samples here: SAMPLES
Handwoven by Alirio and his team on a footloom, this pillow features the intricate falsería technique—an advanced method developed in Guatemala to replicate the precision of traditional backstrap weaving on a larger scale. The estrella (star) motif, deeply rooted in Guatemalan textile heritage, symbolizes guidance, protection, and a spiritual link to ancestral wisdom. As a recurring symbol in Maya cosmology, the star carries profound meaning—its translation into textile form is both a reverent homage and a striking visual statement.
Weaving stars using falsería requires extraordinary technical mastery. The artisan must coordinate 29 individual heddles, manually lifting a specific combination for each line while following a hand-drafted graph-paper pattern. This process is labor-intensive and demands years of experience, precision, and deep cultural knowledge.
The artistry extends beyond the weave: the hand-twisted cord and multi-element tassels were custom designed exclusively for this piece by Irma’s son—developed in collaboration with our artisan partners to enhance the textile’s structure and aesthetic. Carefully sewn by hand, these refined finishes are both technically demanding and visually expressive, adding movement, texture, and depth.
Both culturally significant and visually bold, this pillow is a modern interpretation of Maya tradition. It’s a timeless statement of craftsmanship, symbolism, and design—crafted to bring meaning and elegance to contemporary interiors.
PRODUCTION TIME: 22 Hours
See available samples here: SAMPLES
Handwoven by Alirio and his team on a footloom using the rare falsería technique, this one-of-a-kind throw is a masterwork of craftsmanship and cultural heritage. Once common in Guatemala, falsería is now practiced by only a few master weavers capable of its complex execution. Designed to replicate the intricate motifs of traditional backstrap weaving on a larger scale, the process requires the precise coordination of 40 heddles. For each line of pattern, the weaver lifts a specific sequence of ropes by hand, guided by a meticulously drafted graph-paper design. This labor-intensive method can take up to eight times longer than weaving a solid fabric.
Each loom used is custom-built by local carpenters and tailored specifically to support this sophisticated technique. The floral motif woven into this throw is timeless and versatile, rich with symbolic meaning—one of many reasons falsería serves as a cornerstone of our collection.
We named this design Montaña, the Spanish word for "mountain," in honor of the highland communities we work with in Guatemala. Mountain motifs, traditionally symbolized by zig zags, appear frequently in Maya textiles—an enduring presence in the region's geography and history. During Guatemala’s armed conflict, many weavers were displaced to remote mountain villages, yet these motifs predate even that period, found in some of the oldest surviving textiles. Alongside the zigzag, this design incorporates the diamond, symbolizing the four cardinal directions, and the flower—a nod to Guatemala’s nickname as the “land of eternal spring.”
Woven in narrow panels, the throw is constructed by Irma using a flat felt seam for durability and structure. The edges are finished with a meticulous hand-stitched blanket edge, adding refinement and strength to this heirloom-quality piece.
PRODUCTION TIME: 96 Hours
See available samples here: SAMPLES
Handwoven by Alirio and his team on a footloom using the intricate falsería technique, this Euro sham is a striking expression of heritage and craftsmanship. The design features traditional Guatemalan diamond and arrow motifs—symbols that carry deep cultural meaning. The diamond, a timeless form found in textile traditions around the world, represents the four cardinal directions and the harmony of the universe. Arrows symbolize protection, movement, and the passage of time. Together, they form a pattern that bridges ancestral symbolism with a clean, modern aesthetic—effortlessly complementing both traditional and contemporary interiors.
Woven by master artisans, the creation of this textile demands precise coordination of 29 heddles—a technically complex process that few weavers can achieve. Each motif is formed row by row, following a hand-drawn guide and requiring deep expertise and unwavering attention to detail.
The artistry extends to the finishing by Irma: hand-knotted tassels are meticulously crafted and applied by hand, adding texture and a refined edge that enhances the sham’s visual and tactile richness. The result is an heirloom-quality piece that brings cultural depth, timeless beauty, and handcrafted elegance to the layered bed.
More than decorative, this Euro sham is a celebration of skilled hands, meaningful motifs, and enduring design—made to be cherished across generations.
PRODUCTION TIME: 15 Hours
See available samples here: SAMPLES
Handwoven by Alirio and his team on a footloom using the intricate falsería technique, this throw is the result of a thoughtful collaboration between artisan and designer—reimagining the traditional Guatemalan diamond motif with a modern aesthetic. The geometric pattern, featuring diamonds and arrows, draws from centuries of cultural symbolism. Diamonds represent the four cardinal directions and universal balance, while arrows signify protection, movement, and the passage of time.
Working closely together, the artisan and designer refined these age-old motifs to create a pattern that feels both meaningful and contemporary—grounded in heritage yet effortlessly at home in today’s interiors.
The weaving process is technically complex, requiring the precise coordination of 29 heddles—a feat that demands mastery, focus, and deep knowledge. Each piece is crafted with care and intention, reflecting generations of skill.
Finished by Irma with hand-knotted tassel macramé and backed with solid handwoven cotton for added durability and weight, this throw is both luxurious and lasting. The result is a sophisticated, heirloom-quality textile that honors tradition while embracing timeless design—crafted to be cherished for years to come.
PRODUCTION TIME: 156 Hours
See available samples here: SAMPLES