About KVZ Designs

Kristen Van Zandt first traveled to Guatemala with the mission to help others by providing healthcare as a nurse volunteering in clinics. She ended up providing jobs by designing beautiful, hand beaded jewelry and other fun things made by the indigenous Maya. Kristen works with several artisan families utilizing each artisans specific talents and interests whether it be working with the small seed beads, weaving textiles or working with wood. She has 20 - 30 artisans working in cottage industry beading intricate jewelry in bright colorful designs. From earrings to anklets, Kristen has expanded her colorful line to include ornaments that work not only on a holiday tree but year round. Kristen is always on the look out for exceptional talent and forward thinking artisans helping to develop a line of hand carved bird ornaments and natural dye fabrics for apparel and home goods. She enjoys developing new lines by incorporating what the artisans are familiar with but encouraging them to stretch their talents to new heights and ideas to bring unique, hand crafted treasures to the market place. Read their story