Vibrant, intricate, and informed by centuries of tradition—the products sold by PHIA Handmade bring the art of Colombia to Bellingham. Heimy Gonzalez moved to the U.S. in 2021 with her husband, Oscar Quintero, and their three children. They left behind their life in Colombia to follow their dreams, which have taken off as two distinct local businesses: COF&, a Colombian coffee company with two cafes in Bellingham, and PHIA Handmade, Gonzalez’s apparel and accessory company.
Photo Courtesy of PHIA Handmade
For Gonzalez, jewelry is a form of expression, self-love, and self-advocacy. “I want to empower women. My pieces are to empower women to feel strong, beautiful, sexy,” she says.
She studied classic gold and silver jewelry making (if you check out their Instagram, @phia_handmade, you can see her in action!), but was also taught beadwork by an artisan of the Embera Chami people. She fell in love with the geometric patterns, the centuries old techniques, and the intimacy of handweaving each creation.
Photo courtesy of PHIA Handmade
She makes each piece of PHIA Handmade jewelry using Miyuki glass seed beads, which are known worldwide for their quality and durability. The designs are inspired by the techniques she was taught, but are also representative of her passion for color.
PHIA also carries handmade Colombian shoes like stylish sneakers and natural fiber sandals. Gonzalez’s family are among the many in their city of Bucaramanga that make shoes —after all, it is the “shoe capital” of Colombia!
Photo courtesy of PHIA Handmade
And you can’t miss the Wayuu bags that PHIA brings in. The Wayuu are another Native people in Colombia, and the bags they create are extremely well-known within the country. Gonzalez explains that Wayuu families create the bags together, and selling them allows the continued preservation of their culture.
These handmade crafts are appreciated for their beauty in Colombia, but Gonzalez and Quintero knew that the U.S. would be the best place to pursue them as successful businesses.
“We love Bellingham for that reason,” says Quintero. “Here in Bellingham, if something is handmade, they value that. Because they know that there is a lot of work behind that, that it is unique.”
PHIA Handmade got their start at the Rebel Artists of Whatcom market, which Gonzalez describes as “my first market, my first love.” Since then, they’ve continued to grow thanks to local markets, their website, and the beautiful displays in the COF& locations.
Gonzalez is proud to have created a new collection of jewelry that tones down the vibrant, tropical colors in honor of the local penchant for subdued excitement.
“My inspiration now is Whatcom County,” she says. These newer pieces will feature elegant designs and colors that evoke the Pacific Northwest.
Even with being extremely busy as a wife, mother, and the driving force behind PHIA Handmade, Gonzalez loves her work and sees nothing in the way of her pursuit of their dreams.
“The language [barrier] is not a limit. The people here are friendly, respectful, and polite,” she says. “For me, [there are] no limits. My husband and I think nothing can stop us.” Bellingham, phiahandmade.com
