If you're here,
then I figure you want
to know more.
Sure, you’re saying, the products are beautiful, but why should I do business with AlpacaArtwear. Who are these people?
Well, all I can say, is I had to do this. I’ve been involved with the people and culture of the Andes since my days in the Peace Corps in Andean Colombia. And in the 30 years since, with all that I’ve done professionally, and all the currents of history here in the modern world – in Los Estados Unidos – the simplicity, grace and integrity of the Andean way of life has always seemed to me an anchor in the real world. It’s a cliché that life is hard. But if you’ve been to the high Andes and seen what the people there have managed in such a challenging environment, it lends a useful perspective.
The Andean culture enchants and amazes. It’s the air, the altitude, the attitude; and the magnificent landscape; the warmth and kindness, the “mi casa es su casa” mindset of the people; the colorful hand-crafted clothing … all this, set against the barrenness of the highlands. The Andean people have found a way to live and create things of majesty and beauty in inhospitable climes. It’s not just high up there, it’s dry. Small wonder that the native animals unique to this place, the llama, alpaca, and vicuna are all essentially cold-weather, high altitude camels. The smaller alpaca and vicuna are supremely wooly camelids that produce exquisitely soft fiber even as they live in such harsh surroundings. To me, the animals and the people who live here each demonstrate the same metaphor – inspiring refinement and grace in the context of difficulty.
No wonder then, that there’s something compelling about genuine hand-made alpaca garments from the Andes! These hand-crafts uniquely distill the essence of the Andean people and their partners, the indigenous camelids. Alpacas are considered domesticated animals, but it’s a pretty loose kind of domesticity. The alpacas freely roam the highlands for most of the year. Once every 1-2 years, they get a “hair cut” – a shearing as with sheep for wool - and yield only about 5 lbs of fleece. And then – they return to roaming the highlands with their herd. Talk about a renewable resource! Centuries of tradition, and going strong.
So as we approach the holiday season, hearing day-by-day about $700Billion give or take dollars for an emergency bail-out, well, I just couldn’t help thinking again of the highlands and a simpler life. And when I put on any of my treasured alpaca garments, I’m reminded of what’s truly important in life – and now, with this little business I would love to share a bit of timeless beauty with you.
