Leonor Quispe
"I'm Leonor Quispe Urbano and I was born in Ayacucho where I grew up. But terrorism was terrible in those parts of the Andes, so we moved to Lima.
"When I was a girl, I loved to make doll clothes. I'd spin wool from our sheep to make tiny dresses and many other things. When I discovered the art of arpillería, or patchwork, I realized this was what I'd always wanted to do.
"For as long as I can remember, I've liked to craft things. Besides, necessity forced me to be creative. I realized that I could express my creativity with every scrap of fabric and bring my memories of Ayacucho to life. My work is quite meticulous, but filled with love and the traditions, culture and history of the Peruvian Andes.
"Once I knitted some sweaters and, even though I worked hard and delivered them on time, I was never paid for them. To this day, I haven't received a cent for them, but that experience sowed yet another seed of love for textile arts in my heart. Despite the sacrifices, I continue to create whatever comes to mind.
"I enjoy my work because it's a lovely way to make a living. I give thanks to God for giving me this life, for health, and for blessing my hands with this talent.
"My greatest challenge is to have enough work to send my children to school so that they'll have the ability to defend themselves in life.
"Thank you for appreciating our art This motivates me to continue working, and to improve every detail of each design."
Leonor Quispe's textile work has been exhibited in a number of Peruvian venues, including the U.S. Embassy.
Products (16)
Handmade Folk Art Cotton Patterned Cushion Cover 'Mother's Day'
Christmas-Themed Cotton Blend Applique Tree Skirt from Peru 'Christmas Time'
Hand Crafted Religious Applique Tapestry Wall Hanging 'Nativity Scene'
El Condor Pasa Hand Made Cotton Arpillera Wall Hanging 'Condor Flight'
Peruvian Religious Applique Christmas Tree Stocking 'Visit of the Magi'
Applique Wall Hanging Andean Folk Art 'A Spring Day'
Handcrafted Andean Applique Christmas Stocking 'Village Nativity'
Handcrafted Andean Christmas Star Applique Wall Hanging 'Andean Christmas Star'
Nativity-Themed Christmas Stocking 'Journey to the Manger'
Hand Made Cotton Arpillera Wall Hanging Celebrating Nature 'Long Live Nature'
Andean Christmas Tree Wall Hanging 'Nativity Tree'
Peruvian Christmas Tree Applique Wall Hanging 'Happy Nativity Scene'
Peruvian Folk Art Cotton Christmas Scene Tree Skirt 'Nativity Scene'
Handcrafted Andean Christmas Tree Applique Wall Hanging 'Andean Christmas Tree'
Unique Christianity Applique Folk Art Wall Hanging 'Christmas Star'
Handcrafted Andean Christmas Pine Tree Applique Wall Hanging 'Andean Christmas Pine'