Frequently Asked Questions
Where are your products made?
Our products are primarily made in Boyacá, Colombia by independent artists living near Lake Tota. Our main focus is the thirteen towns that make up the Sugamuxi Province, a region known for its rich cultural heritage and long-standing traditions of craft. While Sugamuxi and Boyacá are central to our work, we also offer a broader selection of handmade products from artists in other regions of Colombia. This approach allows us to highlight the diversity of Colombian artistry while maintaining a deep, place-based commitment to the communities we work with most closely.
How much do we pay our artisans?
We purchase our products directly from our artisan partners at prices set by the artists themselves. Sumercé Artisans also provides advance funding for artisans who need tools or materials to begin or expand their craft. All products are paid for in full upon completion, regardless of whether or when they sell. This model ensures fair compensation, zero financial risk for artisans, and supports sustainable, independent creative work.
How do you practice Fair Trade?
While Sumercé Artisans is not currently Fair Trade certified, we align our practices with recognized Fair Trade principles. We work directly with independent artisans, prioritize transparency and ethical sourcing, and foster long-term, respectful partnerships rooted in cultural and creative integrity. As our organization continues to grow, we are actively working toward applying for Fair Trade certification to further formalize these commitments. For us, this is not simply a business model, but a core commitment. Our work exists to support artists and to use their craft as a means of preserving and protecting a place we care for deeply—especially the Lake Tota region.
Help Us Make an Impact
If you’ve made it this far, it means you’re curious about the inner workings of our business—and we love that. A donation helps keep the lights on, our doors open, and our operations running smoothly. It supports everything from maintaining our website to covering rent and overhead, and it allows us to reinvest in a variety of initiatives—from supporting artisans directly to funding programs that protect Lake Tota and the communities we care about.
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Sumercé is a word deeply rooted in the culture of Boyacá, Colombia.
Born from su merced—“your grace” in Spanish—it has traveled through generations, transforming from a formal address into something more intimate. When spoken, sumercé carries respect, affection, and an unspoken understanding between people.
In the highlands of Boyacá, it’s a word shared between neighbors and artisans, elders and friends. It’s an offering of warmth, a gesture of humility, a reminder to see one another with care. More than language, it reflects a way of moving through the world—with patience, presence, and quiet generosity.
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Since we pay our artisans directly, their prices form the baseline for each product. All revenue is fully reinvested into the organization—supporting future materials for our artisans and funding environmental programs around Lake Tota.
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Sumercé Artisans is a small organization fueled by passion, purpose, and a dream to support fair trade artisans and protect the environment around Lake Tota. Because we are small, every dollar truly counts. Your donation goes far beyond just the product—it helps cover essential costs like marketing, our physical retail space rent, and everyday overhead, allowing us to keep the organization running smoothly.
More importantly, your support directly impacts the artisans and communities we work with. It helps fund materials, sustain traditional craft, and create meaningful opportunities for artisans to thrive. Every donation strengthens our mission, enabling us to continue connecting people to authentic, handmade products and the stories behind them. By giving, you become part of a community that values creativity, culture, and conservation, and your contribution has a tangible impact—on both people and place.
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Yes, we are a physical store in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin as well as an online store with shipping options throughout the United States. One of our key partners, JovenPro in Sogamoso, Boyacá, Colombia, showcases a selection of our products as well.
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At this time, we only ship within the continental United States.
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Returns are accepted within 14 days of purchase, in unused and undamaged condition. Every item supports fair trade artisans and their communities, so we ask that returns are made thoughtfully to honor the care and craftsmanship behind each piece.
