Embarcado en un largo proceso que comienza germinando en tierra, a unas cuadras de su casa, Don Juan Olivado siembra la planta de cabuya; corta sus hojas, extrae la fibra, lava, tiñe y teje. No se le escapa un detalle, cada paso lo lleva a la creación de cada una de sus obras maestras.

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  • Don Juan, trabaja con ésta tradición costarricense desde sus once años. Durante su adolescencia trabajó en una fábrica de café, empleo que abandonó después de unos años, cuando decidió volver a su Cartago natal, para trabajar en lo que hacía sentir su vida más emocionante y plenamente feliz. Comenzó a hilar cabuya. Con los años construyó una trayectoria que dejará huella e historia en el corazón de cada una de las personas que adquieren una de sus piezas.

Navigating within the production process for a cabuya bag:

Sowing: The creation of our cabuya bags is born in Cartaga land, in a small town in the southwest of Costa Rica.

Don Juan cultivates the plant that gives life to our pieces in fertile soil; going through a long process for five years—expanding its leaves in the sun until reaching two meters in length.

Defibrated: Evokes strength and technique. With his own hands he shreds twelve sheets for each piece produced, using the oldest method: shredding with reeds.

Wash: The extracted fiber continues its washing process; In this way, the greenish tint of the plant fades, leaving it ready in its most natural color, drying in the open air, spread in the sun.

Dyed: The raw color of the cabuya alone is harmony. The dyed colors involve manual processes that open the possibility of creating unique pieces that last over time.

Spinning: The fiber is transformed into rope threads. “The wheelbarrow” is the traditional tool used to create each strand that makes up the fabric.

Weaving: On a pedal loom, the threads are tightened to begin weaving—creating the weft and warp with the chosen color pattern—transcending traditions, creating new significant ideas.

Weaving: With one of her feet, both hands, a wooden stick and a centimeter, she begins a work full of love and deeply rooted in the heart of the one who weaves it.

Detailing: with deep dedication, Doña Sonia embraces the details: the handles, the lining, the varnish, the brooch and the union between fabrics, are the work of her hands; needle and thread—her heart is embodied in each stitch from start to finish.