Women's History Month: The Women Who Make AC Possible

Today is the official start of Women's History Month. Throughout March, we'll be celebrating all the amazing women who have helped build Andean Collection, both in Ecuador and the US, and profiling those who continue to contribute to AC's success. Our NYC staff happens to be made up entirely of women—so far! And while there are lots of amazing men on the AC team in Ecuador, for Women's History Month, we're going to focus on the ladies.

First profile: Olga

Olga and her husband Cesar have been with Andean Collection since its founding in 2008. In fact, Olga was the very first artisan AC's founder, Amanda Judge, started collaborating with in Ecuador. At that time Olga had been selling grain in Otavalo's expansive local market and was starting to venture into handicrafts. Olga and Cesar had a small table set up on the outskirts of the official marketplace, and although their location was far from ideal, Amanda was immediately struck by Olga's designs.

Otavalo's Saturday Market

According to Amanda, "The pieces were just different—more interesting and complex than others I had seen inside the marketplace." In addition, Olga's personality and attitude made her instantly magnetic. "After talking to Olga and Cesar for a few minutes, I felt like I was talking to friends. Olga was in her late 20s, just like me, and she was so open and no nonsense. She didn't treat me like a tourist and invited me to her home, like a friend would." That same day, Amanda met Olga's equally talented cousin Nancy, another of Andean Collection's lead artisans.

One of Olga and Cesar's most popular designs, the Acai Necklace in multi.

Gayle King rocks Olga's design on Oprah.

Olga's design sensibility, creativity, and tenacity are a big part of the reason Andean Collection has thrived. She is an indispensable part of the team. 

One of the many work tables in Olga and Cesar's workshop. This is where the magic happens.

In addition to the Acai Necklace, Olga was also the driving force behind one of Andean Collection's most popular necklaces this season, The Playita:

Olga holding up her prototype of the Playita (AC design trip, October 2011).

 As well as AC's bold, color-blocked Amazon Necklace:

Besides being a brilliant designer and a master jewelry maker, Olga is also the mother of three beautiful children, Sami, Yari, and Justin.

Olga and Sami.

Yari and Justin.

Olga and Cesar are deeply committed to providing a secure life for their children, and their situation has greatly improved in the past three years. Prior to AC, Olga had to work incredibly long hours and travel great distances to sell grain at the local market just to make ends meet. Their home lacked electricity and running water, and the family slept on straw mats in a single room. Olga and Cesar often skipped meals so their children could eat. Since 2008, Olga and Cesar have tripled the size of their home workshop, adding a home plumbing system with potable water, electricity, a bathroom, and extra sleeping rooms with beds. Through the assistance of Andean Collection's interest-free loan program, they also purchased a plot of farmland that yields enough produce to feed their family throughout the entire year. Olga now has more time to spend with Cesar and her children, and enough peace of mind to dream up more beautiful designs.

“Our life has been difficult, but our children will have a better future, thanks to the people like you who buy our jewelry.”