alpaca blue

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.

Masterfully woven by hand, intricate diamonds motifs flow in bands across an expanse of blue. Artisans from the Center for Traditional Textiles of Cusco revive ancient techniques and designs for this handloomed cushion cover. Working on a backstrap loom, they utilize patterns that derive from Inca art and seek to keep the old textile traditions alive.

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 cushion cover a unique piece of handcrafted art. The reverse side is solid espresso brown.

A feline character appears among the glyphs and structures that Teofilo Choquecahua creates for the design of this tapestry. Proud admirer of Peru's past, Choquecahua's composition is clearly influenced by Inca art. He colors alpaca wool yarn with natural and industrial dyes to obtain an intense palette of yellow, blue, red, green, and white hues. Choquecahua weaves the tapestry on a traditional pedal loom with a cotton warp in the legendary Ayacucho style.

Title "Felinos" in Spanish.

Inca-inspired patterns add unique charm to this handcrafted 100% alpaca shoulder bag. The artisans of the Center for Traditional Textiles of Cusco start from scratch to create it--raising the alpacas and llamas to obtain the fleece; shearing, dyeing and spinning the wool; and weaving the textile on a traditional waist loom. The fully-lined bag closes with a zipper and features an interior zipper pocket.

Teofilo Choquecahua takes inspiration from the abundant sea life of the Peruvian coasts to create this vivid tapestry. He hand-weaves it on a traditional loom using 100% alpaca wool and adds contrasting textures for depth and visual interest. He signs it on the lower right-hand corner.

The Andean artisan specializes in the style of flat weave native to his hometown of Ayacucho. He has been perfecting his technique since he was 16 years old under the guidance of local master weavers. His work is inspired by the art and history of his homeland.