Find colorful, one-of-a-kind goods at Isasuma’s new first-floor location in Easton.
Andrea Rincon
Director
Tell us about Isasuma’s mission!
Isasuma’s mission is to support and empower small at-risk artisan communities. We travel and work directly with a small group of entrepreneur indigenous artisans and small shops in Latin America. It is heritage, lifestyle and economic fulfillment for these communities.
What was the journey that led you to open the shop?
It all started about 10 years ago when founder Manuel Fresneda started to bring back small batches of handcrafted bags, shoes, earrings, etc. He invited me to help him set up a tent here and there during local festivals and fairs year after year.
In 2019, Curt Weihz partnered with Manuel and as a team we decided to grow not just locally but also as an e-commerce store. After almost two years of me running the business from my attic, great turnouts at Easton Winter Village and thousands of sales and five-star reviews on Etsy, we decided to open our first brick-and-mortar in Downtown Easton in February of 2022. In late October we relocated to a great new location, which is much more accessible and easier to get to.
Describe your variety of offerings.
We carry world-renowned Wayuu mochila bags and accessories, handmade mola shoes, earrings, hammocks, beaded and woven bracelets, necklaces, leather bags and wallets, purses and more.
Tell us about your Wayuu bags!
Wayuu bags are woven by the Wayuu women from Colombia. They learn how to weave at a very early age. The Wayuu are descendants of the Caribs and Arawak peoples, largely known for their strong weaving tradition.
It is said that the Wayuu learned to weave thanks to a mythical spider called Walekeru. This spider would create magical pieces using thread from her mouth. She is the one that taught all Wayuu women to crochet, crocheting hammocks to sleep in, belts for men, shoes, bracelets and Wayuu bags of all different sizes and crochet methods to be used for different purposes. Today, the skill of crocheting has become the main source of income for the Wayuu community.
The creation and meaning of each bag is a tradition that has been passed through many generations in the Wayuu community. The symbolism behind their crocheted patterns and forms, along with the intentions of each artisan while making each bag, make these mochilas a wearable work of art.
What’s the overall vibe of the shop?
It’s super colorful, bright, full of texture and an experience hard to describe. Most people would say there is so much to see it is hard to decide where to start.
What is something that would make the perfect gift this holiday season?
A handcrafted, ethically sourced, one-of-a-kind bag for sure!
Tell us about the business’s goals for the future.
We want to expand our product selection and bring more accessories from other countries and communities, such as handcrafted cacao products and clothing. We are also looking into expanding our handmade shoe collections.
441 Northampton St., Easton 610.463.0011 | isasuma.com | isasuma.etsy.com
Published as "Get the Goods" in the December 2022 edition of Lehigh Valley Style magazine.
