Handcrafts of Peru

Since my initial blog this week, Peru suffered a series of earthquakes, the first registering at 7.9 on the Richter scale. My family members checked in, everyone was a bit shaken, but amazingly enough nothing was damaged. Earthquakes are not something unfamiliar in Peru. During our visit in March 07, tour guides would remind us of past earthquakes, big and small, that had left their thumbprint on the city.

So, what in Peru captured our attention enough to warrent adding additional chaos to our lives? The handcrafts. Now, I have to slip in here that I am a crafter artisan type person myself. Not the traditional crochet toaster cover crafter, but the kind that peers under lampshades, pulls at seams, feels the wall thickness on pottery, just so the poor person I am shopping with can hear me exclaim, "I can make this." And usually I do. There are paintings, slip covers, pottery, mosaics, lamps, pillows, boxes, you name it, all over my house with my signature on it. The reason I am telling you this, is to qualify the fact I know quality in crafting. I know the skill set it takes. I know the years of learning and doing it over and over and over again, until you can do it in your sleep. So when I see fine and steady embroidery, tightly woven baskets, and unique pottery, I know I am in the company of masters.

Just a couple of fun examples that we found. The embroidery is quite exquisite and you will find it on just about any type of apparel; belts, purses, hats, vests, and even this fun little wallet. The embroidery usually features several of the iconic animals of Peru such as the hummingbird, the owl, the fish, and the condor. The reverse glass mirror was an art form introduced by the Spaniards. The Peruvian artisan has taken reverse glass painting to new levels of expertise from the stylized floral pattern found on this small mirror to wonderful religious paintings. The earrings are made of shell, which is a popular jewelry item, even here in the U.S. but the detail into which they add the twisted wire pattern. It's almost as if they are making lace out of wire.

Then there is the Alpaca; alpaca blankets, alpaca scarves, alpaca ponchos, alpaca purses, and of course baby alpaca teddy bears. These little cuties, made from the first shearing of a young alpaca are so incredibly soft you'll end up buying one and walking around the market cuddling it as if it were puppy or kitten.

So, there you have it, just some of the wonderful items we saw that we thought might sell in the States. Next step was to get home and start planning the new business. But wait, what the hell are we going to call this company? Stay tuned to this blog to find out how you too can find a name for your business in the least obvious place (or sometimes the most!)