craft gifts

The cool blues of this beautiful 100% alpaca shoulder bag evoke the Andean skies. The bag is crafted entirely by hand by the artisans of the Center for Traditional Textiles of Cusco. They raise the alpacas and llamas to obtain the fleece; shear, dye and spin the wool; and weave the textile on a traditional waist loom. The unlined bag closes with a zipper and features an interior zipper pocket and jaunty tassels on the bottom.

The Inca god Wiracocha stands proud in the firmament to crown a handsome jewelry chest. The original divinity of the people of Tiahuanaco, this god emerged from the waters of Lake Titicaca. He created the heavens, the earth, and the first generation of giants who inhabited the land in total darkness. Wiracocha is honored in the Inti Raymi, meaning "Festival of the Sun," in Cuzco, symbolizing the eternal consecration between the sun and his children — human beings.

Julio Sanchez crafts the box by hand to imitate a chest with six drawers and an upper compartment with a mirror. It closes with a lock and key. Each side features images of the tumi, a ceremonial blade used in ancient Peru for spiritual sacrifices, crowned with the effigy of a warrior.

Inspired by symbols central to the Andean cosmovision, such as the chakana cross and the condor, Bertha Vera creates this pretty set of stud earrings. The two pairs of post earrings are crafted from 950 silver and engraved with oxidized designs.

Crafted by hand, this jewelry box by Julio Sanchez is a superb example of a traditional Peruvian art. He works in mohena wood, a fine hardwood whose grain is similar to mahogany. Beautifully tooled leather depicts ancient Inca icons, and the locking chest has ornate bronze handles on each side.

Signifying a union between the spiritual and the corporeal, a pre-Hispanic chakana cross in yellow is crafted of ceramic to center this necklace from Peru. Dina designs the necklace, adorning the wearer with earth-tone ceramic and gold-tone beads, closing with a fold-over clasp of sterling silver.

This elegant men's intarsia knit pullover sweater is crafted of pure alpaca wool yarns by Peru's Maria Cutipa. Inspired by the patterns and motifs of pre-Inca cultures, the artisan knits the sweater with geometric designs in sepia, espresso and Prussian blue. A rib knit trims the crew neckline, hem and cuffs.

This gorgeous and versatile belt bag is from Peru's Kathiana Quispe, who crafts it from supple leather in saddle brown. The fully-lined bag features an external zipper pocket and an inset of traditional hand-loomed wool with Inca motifs. Both the adjustable belt and the wrist strap are removable, which means you can use the bag as a belt bag or as a wristlet if desired.

Energetic vibrancy and cultural significance come together in this captivating bucket bag crafted from leather in bright shades of red. Peruvian artisan Kathiana Quispe’s chic design is accented with a colourful handwoven alpaca blend fabric adorned with traditional Inca motifs. Boasting a long, adjustable strap, allowing you to wear it cross-body, a secure zippered closure, a fully lined interior and a convenient zippered pocket, this bag is not just a fashion statement but also a practical accessory for everyday use.

Experience the captivating craftsmanship of Peruvian artisan Kathiana Quispe with this exceptional tote bag, meticulously crafted from espresso leather and ginger suede. The intricately hand-tooled leather showcases embossed Inca motifs on the back complemented by a vibrant ayahuasca-inspired cotton accent adorning the front, skillfully hand-embroidered in the traditional style of the Shipibo-Conibo people. Practical yet stylish, this tote offers adjustable leather straps, a secure zippered closure, a fully lined interior and an inner zippered pocket, making it the perfect blend of functionality and artistic elegance for your everyday needs.

Crafted by hand, this delightful morral combines rich textures with red, white and rich earthen browns. Artisan members of Peru's Center for Traditional Textiles of Cusco first knot the yarn before it is woven on a backstrap loom. The motifs derive from Inca art in an effort to keep the traditional patterns and techniques alive as well as their Andean identity. This texture is known as urpi, which means "dove" in the Quechua language.

The community raises and cares for its own alpacas. The fleece is washed, carded and spun by hand using a pushka, or drop spindle. The dyes come from plants, nuts and tree bark. The next step is one of the most important, as the artisan prepares the warp, or vertical threads for the backstrap loom. This determines the size of the textile, the color combinations, and the patterns that will be woven.

The intensity of color can vary depending on the hardness of the water, the altitude and the local dye sources, making each textile a unique piece of handcrafted art