Designing a Brighter Future

Cusco Department, PeruThreads of Peru

$5,325

Raised of $5,000 USD

Successfully funded on Jul 30, 2018
62 supporters
106%%

About This Project

EMPOWERING INDIGENOUS WOMEN

LINKING ENVIRONMENT, ECONOMY & CULTURE

With your help, we will link indigenous women artisans living in remote Andean communities with the global marketplace, helping to provide a sustained income and contribute to the vitality of their ancient weaving traditions. By collaborating with a fashion designer, these artisans can successfully bridge the gap between the traditional and the contemporary and create high quality handmade textiles that respect people and the planet. Help us bring our designer to Peru!

DID YOU KNOW ?

Source: Artisan Alliance

ABOUT THREADS OF PERU

Threads of Peru seeks to revitalize cultural traditions by providing sustainable markets for these incredibly fine textiles. The products we produce represent the work and the heritage of over 120 artisans in seven communities and four regions of Cusco, each region with its own distinct textile traditions and techniques.

LEARN MORE about Our Story

WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?

It’s about economic opportunity & cultural preservation. Peru has a textile tradition that stretches back some 5000 years, and weaving continues to be an integral aspect of Quechua culture in the Andes.

However, the pressure to find income-generating activities has led many to feel that they must choose between their culture and making money. It doesn’t have to be this way.

It’s also about women’s empowerment. Weaving is an excellent, home-based activity that women can do to earn an income all while continuing to live a traditional lifestyle and care for their children. Involvement in their local weaving association also provides women opportunities for development of leadership skills.

OUR PROJECT: BRING A FASHION DESIGNER TO PERU TO WORK WITH INDIGENOUS ARTISANS


Enter Jennie Lyutskanov. In 2017, NEST, an organization providing support to artisan-based businesses, offered the opportunity to work with a professional designer and we jumped at the chance. Read more about Jennie's experience here.

We loved the result and, it turns out, so did our customers. Our partnership with Jennie resulted in INCREASED ORDERS for the artisans, meaning that they have more, and more consistent, work this year. It also contributed to ENRICHING THEIR SKILLS with new techniques, patterns and colour combinations.

This is why we would LOVE to bring Jennie back to work on our next collection

and we need YOUR help!

HOW YOU CAN HELP

As a small non-profit organization we squeak by, relying on sales revenue and donations to cover expenses. We’re really proud of our ability to do a lot with a little, but this time we need your help!

You can help support a tradition that is created with respect for people, animals and plants and that empowers women, and supports children and families in remote villages in the Andes in ways you may not realize. Your support of the traditional lifestyles of these communities enables them to continue to thrive.

OUR REWARDS

We are incredibly thankful for ANY donation. To express our gratitude, here are some of the rewards we are offering! We’ll also be featuring our rewards on our social media pages, so follow us on Instagram or Facebook to learn more!

Images just for reference. Color and products may vary.


Use Of Funds

$5,000 Tipping Point Goal

Having an experienced designer create our new collection will be a key part of our success in empowering women, revitalizing cultural traditions, and allowing remote indigenous communities to thrive.

Renewing our partnership with Jennie Lyutskanov will build on the relationship she established with the weavers last year, further showcase the skilled craftsmanship of our artisans and strengthen the Andean textile tradition.

$5,000 will help us bring Jennie back to Cusco so she can get to work designing a brighter future for Andean communities. This amount will cover:

  • Round trip air tickets from New York to Cusco, Peru
  • All in-country living expenses
  • Travel expenses related to working with the artisans
  • Modest compensation for her work
  • Platform fees

$6,500 Stretch Goal

Raising even more would allow us to take this project even farther! Designing beautiful products is really only half the battle. We also need to get samples made and then showcase them to the world!

A picture is worth a thousand words. Many people underestimate the value of really great photography, but it makes such a difference. We were lucky to connect with a travelling photographer in the fall who brought our 2018 collection to life, and we’d also love to bring her back! Many people told us that it was our excellent photos and professional presentation that inspired them to trust our organization and place an order!

If we reach our stretch goal, we will have the resources to:

  • Source new and better quality lining fabrics and hardware in Lima
  • Produce samples of every piece in the 2019 Collection – an early investment in the artisans!
  • Bring professional photographer Anna Watts back to Peru. Anna specializes in working with artisan brands. We will cover her travel costs.


Latest News

No updates yet.

Supporters

Kristy Swift

+0 other projects

Helen Newton

+0 other projects

Laura Sheppard

+0 other projects

Mirjam Blekkenhorst

+0 other projects

Dorothy Thursby

+0 other projects

BLANKA KIELB

+0 other projects

Johnathan Fetzner

+0 other projects

Sylvia Brown

+0 other projects

John Freebury

+0 other projects

Bob Din

+0 other projects

Jana Keeley

+0 other projects

Claire Heath

+0 other projects

Rewards

Select Reward
Sulpayki !
$10.00

That’s “thank you” in Quechua, the indigenous language of the Andes. To thank you for your contribution, we will give you a well-deserved shout out on our website and social media platforms – everyone’s gotta know how great you are!

Estimated delivery: August 2018

Unlimited

Select Reward
Name an alpaca OR Handwritten Thank You Postcard
$25.00

Here’s your chance to leave your mark on the Andes! Our adorable, fuzzy friends in the Andes are nameless. Send us your most creative name and we’ll send you a picture of your new Andean pet!

OR

Who doesn’t love getting mail?? A personal thank you indelibly set out in pen and paper, old-school style, sent via snail mail (whaaat?)

AND

You will also receive a well-deserved shout out on our website and social media platforms – because your generosity must be broadcast to the world!

Estimated delivery: August 2018

38 left

Select Reward
Senkapa Wrap Bracelet
$35.00

Whoa, now you’ve really kicked it up a notch. To show our thanks, we’ll send you one of our best-selling Senkapa Wrap Bracelets, so you can be the envy of all your friends.

AND

A heartfelt thank you written in pen on one of our beautiful postcards, sent directly to you.

AND

A well-deserved shout out on our website and social media platforms because that’s just how awesome you are!

Estimated delivery: August 2018

23 left

Sold Out
Handwoven Lares Pencil Case
$50.00

We’ve got that warm fuzzy feeling inside! To show our thanks, we’re sending you one of our beautiful Lares pencil cases. Named after one of the ranges that border the Sacred Valley of Cusco, the Lares pencil case is both practical and beautiful, lovingly handwoven by our artisans using naturally-dyed wool.

AND

Our personal thanks written in stone – well, on a postcard – that we will send right to your doorstep.

AND

A well-deserved shout out on our website and social media platforms!

Estimated delivery: August 2018

Select Reward
Handwoven Calca Cosmetic Pouch
$50.00

Hmmm, what do you give to someone this generous?? You almost had us stumped, but then we thought about our Calca cosmetic pouches! So handy to tote around, and handwoven in naturally dyed wool by our skilled artisans. You won’t want to leave home without it!

AND

A handwritten postcard to express our sincere thanks, delivered right to your doorstep.

AND

A well-deserved shout out on our website and social media platforms!

Estimated delivery: August 2018

3 left

Select Reward
Personalized Set of Amaru Bracelets
$75.00

To show you just how special you are, we will send you not one but THREE personalized Amaru bracelets. Have your name eternalized in yarn and wear it around your wrist!

AND

A handwritten Thank You postcard from the Threads of Peru team.

AND

A well-deserved shout out on our website and social media platforms!

Estimated delivery: August 2018

11 left

Select Reward
Mystery Item from the 2019 Collection
$100.00

Get it before anyone else! An as-yet-to-be-designed small accessory piece. You’ll be so fashion-forward!

AND

A handwritten Thank You postcard from the Threads of Peru team.

AND

A well-deserved shout out on our website and social media platforms!

AND

A mystery Item from the 2019 collection

Estimated delivery: August 2018

23 left

Select Reward
Naturally Dyed Yarn
$150.00

For the makers out there (you know who you are) – 500g of Peruvian yarn, hand-dyed by the artisans using natural dyes of the Andes. From cochineal to qolle and everything in between, natural dyes are one of nature’s magical secrets. Makers gonna make!

AND

A handwritten Thank You postcard from the Threads of Peru team.

AND

A well-deserved shout out on our website and social media platforms!

Estimated delivery: August 2018

7 left

Select Reward
Early Bird Special – Exclusive Sneak Peek!
$250.00

You’re our hero. Seriously, you made our day. So let us make yours! We’ll give you exclusive access to one of Jennie’s higher end creations. Because, you deserve it.

AND

A handwritten Thank You postcard from the Threads of Peru team.

AND

A well-deserved shout out on our website and social media platforms!

Estimated delivery: September-October 2018

9 left

Select Reward
Customized Handwoven Textile
$500.00

For such a generous contribution (thank you!!), a special person like you deserves a special textile! You’ll have the unique opportunity to customize your very own manta. A truly one-of-a-kind masterpiece awaits you – finally, a textile that’s as unique as you are!

AND

A handwritten Thank You postcard from the Threads of Peru team.

AND

A well-deserved shout out on our website and social media platforms!

Estimated delivery: August 2018

5 left

Select Reward
Private Weaving Tour
$1,500.00

Well, we’re stunned. Your generosity has really knocked our socks off! Come to Cusco and we’ll treat you to a one-on-one private tour of one of our partner weaving associations. See a side of Threads of Peru that no one else sees – a behind-the-scenes look at how we work and some hands-on learning about the Andean weaving tradition! You’ll meet the artisans behind Threads of Peru face to face and learn about their way of life and culture. Experiment with some hand-picked natural dyes and take home the spoils – at least 500g of yarn hand-dyed by you under the guidance of the masters! (For the spinners out there, we can shear an alpaca instead and you can bring home the fleece!)

But that’s not all! A star like you deserves the Royal Treatment. We’ll also send you a well-deserved shout out on our website and social media platforms.

3 left