wool art

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

Detailed geometric motifs flow across this beautiful brown shoulder bag from Peru. By artisans of the Center for Traditional Textiles of Cusco, its fabric is woven by hand on a backstrap loom. The women utilize patterns that derive from Inca art and seek to keep the heirloom textile traditions alive.

The bag is fully lined and opens to reveal a convenient zipper pocket.

Patiently handwoven on the backstrap loom, ancient motifs recall the splendor of the Inca empire, when such textiles were more highly prized than gold. Artisans of the Center for Traditional Textiles of Cusco craft a handbag of timeless beauty, combining blue and with two shades of red on a dark blue background. They name their design for Chinchero, where time seems to have stood still for centuries and the Quechua language is spoken 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 textile a unique piece of handcrafted art. The bag is fully lined and opens to reveal a convenient zipper pocket.

Made entirely by hand, this beautiful contemporary bag showcases the ancestral weaving traditions preserved by the women artisans of the Center for Traditional Textiles of Cusco. The compact purse exemplifies the incredible time and dedication it takes to produce a handmade work of art. In the highlands they call home, before they can begin to weave the fabric for the bag, the women must first raise and shear the alpacas and llamas to obtain the wool, then dye and spin the fleece before it is ready to be woven into fabric on a traditional backstrap loom. From start to finish, the time taken to produce each bag spans the seasons. The fully-lined bag closes with a zipper and features an interior zipper pocket.

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.

Peruvian artisan Kathiana Quispe designs another charming creation inspired by the ancient Andean culture. This time, she works with suede in an elegant sepia tone to craft a handy leather-accented sling with three zippered compartments and an adjustable strap. The accessory also comes with an alpaca blend textile at the front, symbolizing the artisan's rich heritage. 

The traditional Andean textiles honor nature with their floral motifs and colorful details. Drawing inspiration from her heritage, Peruvian artisan Milagros Campos designs a charming sling embellished with a cute tassel and a spring theme. Handloomed by local artisans, this alpaca bag features a zipper closure, an adjustable strap and a polyester lining that makes it a handy accessory for the everyday.

A burst of color and craftsmanship, this red sling bag by Peruvian artisan Milagros Campos is a lively showcase of Ayacucho embroidery. Handwoven from soft alpaca yarns, its floral patterns bloom across the fabric, framed by a playful tassel and pom pom. The zippered closure keeps essentials secure while the adjustable strap ensures a comfortable fit. Practical and full of character, this bag brings a touch of artistry to every outing.