Maximo Laura has been weaving since he was a child, a skill passed down from his Father. His hometown of Ayacucho, Peru, is the capital of weaving. It wasn't a rare event for a young man to carry on the craft.Due to the political strife in the area that gripped the highlands in violence,...

The Puno area of Peru is one of the most economically stressed in the country. It's also the knitting capital of South America. I first started working with 'Minka' a co-op of women and the first in Peru to be certified 'Fair Trade' back in 1990. Their work is very unique due...

When Pantone picks the color of the year, the design industry seems to clamor to work it in from car colors to bow tie colors. Some colors seem more conducive than others, to move into our visual world with ease. Pantone carries the most weight and has the most influence on color trends, but I...

Wilber Quispe, ArtAndes long time esteemed weaver, has had to make some difficult changes to help assure the continuance of the craft. Back in 2000, Wilber saved his money, after his first 4 years of rug orders with ArtAndes, and built his workshop back in his home area of Ayacucho. This is the...

I was fortunate to be invited to visit the Indian Market in Santa Fe recently. That wasn't my onlyfocus; art galleries, farmers market and delicious food dominated my time and what a treat it was.This was my 2nd visit this year and I can now say I've seen alot of Navajo rugs!...

I started designing rugs when I realized that in order to have a viable textile business in Peru, I had to combine their great skill with what my market would buy. In the mid-eighties, most of the Ayacucho rugs were of traditional ethnic designs in pastel tones. Not a good...

ArtAndes has landed three rugs in the ASID Showcase Home Tour. What is especially fitting is that Dan Buettner/ author of 'The Blue Zone' has embraced the spirit of the hand-weave in his home makeover. Working with Mary Maney of Crystal Kitchen Designs, the rugs were custom wove for...