When María Eugenia talks about Aguadulce, her voice softens with emotion. It is the place where she and her husband chose to settle after retiring. Located at 3,000 meters above sea level, Aguadulce stands at a cloud forest where migratory birds stop by as if to greet them, hummingbirds native to the páramo dart through the air, and the views from the heights are nothing short of breathtaking. And of course, there is the cold—the kind that calls for a ruana and the warmth of wool. It is a privileged spot of Choachí, with a climate quite different from the warmer valley below. Yet María Eugenia loves its wind. So much so that it carried her back to childhood memories spent between knitting needles. Today she works with wool and has built a strong collective of artisans, which she fittingly named Aguadulce Tejeduría.

María Eugenia’s story is that of a woman determined to achieve what she sets her mind to. One only has to hear her speak—expressive, smiling, firm, stubborn, decisive, organized, and captivating—to know that no challenge will be too big for her. She knows what she brings to the table. Her years working in international trade certainly help, but more importantly, she is a skilled knitter—and she knows that together with others, she is even stronger. She recognizes that her greatest strength lies in her ability to bring people together and make things happen. In her rural community she has become something of a crafts “executive”, and thanks to her drive and persistence, Choachí has steadily gained recognition as an emerging point of reference for wool and cotton weaving, and for fashion created with these fibers. Yet she is also generous in acknowledging the talent of her fellow artisans. Today, she proudly speaks of a group of more than 24 weavers who ensure that this craft will not disappear.

But to understand how it all began, we must step back for a moment. For María Eugenia, the turning point came in 2019, when a design brigade from Universidad del Rosario visited the town. That experience revealed there were many talented artisans working quietly and anonymously. Inspired by the university visit, she opened a permanent gathering space on the terrace of her own home, where women from nearby rural communities could come together to knit. From there, she did what she does best—connect with people. Her natural ease in speaking with anyone—from mayors and governors to designers and business leaders—soon began to open doors. The result came in 2023, when an opportunity emerged to showcase their work at a major event. And not just any event but the Home Fair, one of Colombia’s largest trade fairs. At first, the scale of it all was overwhelming. But she quickly shook off the fear and leaned on what she had already built: the network of Aguadulce weavers. Gloria Gutiérrez and Elizabeth Martínez became, and remain, her closest collaborators.

That year marked the beginning of a momentum that has not slowed since. In addition to regularly attending craft fairs as a collective, the group has taken on new creative challenges in the realm of fashion. Their work caught the attention of Samuel López, a designer from Artesanías de Colombia, and under his guidance they have continued refining their pieces. Runway presentations are becoming increasingly frequent.

Today they proudly present cardigans, granny squares, blouses, and many other garments crafted from wool, cotton, and silk braid. Yet María Eugenia’s curiosity keeps pushing her further. At this very moment she is studying everything she can about wool production, having discovered a local sheep breed from Cundinamarca that she dreams of helping protect through a designation of origin—a long process she is ready to undertake. As part of this journey, she has already visited master artisan Luz María Rodríguez in Sutatausa, learning about traditional spinning techniques and natural dyeing through the Tejilarte initiative. That is simply who María Eugenia is: a woman who never stops moving forward, determined to make Choachí a leading representative of textile craft and fashion.