Johnny Jimenez

Johnny Jimenez handcrafted leather home decor

Latest Update

"I have been working in crafts with my wife since 2000. It was in 2012 when I joined Novica, thanks to a cousin who told me about the platform. I must confess that at first, I did not give much importance to my listings, however, starting in 2015 I began to pay more attention to my sales and inventory rotation. Additionally, my products began to be selected for the fall/winter catalogs. That really changed my life.

“In 2016 we began to improve my house, which before was practically made of cardboard and wood. Today we have a beautiful family home thanks to my sales at Novica. I am extremely grateful that today I have financial peace of mind and the gratitude of providing my children with an education."

Original Artist Story

Johnny is heir to a family leather tanning tradition. His father, Don Diomedes had a leather workshop, and he learned the craft alongside his siblings. Their parents and uncles were their teachers. By the time he was six years old, Johnny would play with spare pieces of tooled leather, making designs. He eventually learned to tool. "It's ironic how, back then when I was a kid and had no experience, I never had an accident. And later, with years of experience, I cut my hand!" Johnny confides.

"When I was 12 years old I was allowed to work on my own designs, and when I was 15, I was given my own set of tools! I used to compete with other people in the workshop too. Now I'm married to Irene, and we have two children, Brigitte and Johnny.

"When my dad ran the workshop, we specialized in colonial motifs. I prefer Inca motifs. I studied business administration but, the truth is, I much prefer doing this. I like to try new things, including different leather tooling methods, and, in doing so, I realized the quality of my work improved drastically. I am regarded as being one of the few tanners in Peru that still works with his hands.

"Some people from the United States visited my workshop and liked my work, and since then they keep commissioning items for cowboys. This experience has taught me the value of constantly creating and renovating, and working with different materials, including leather, wood, and wrought iron.

"My dad and I learned to draw on our own because we enjoy creating new designs for our leatherwork.

"There used to be many leather tannery workshops, but now there are only two where I live, mine and that of another featured artist, Moises Alvarez. That's why I'm very happy to be associated with you. I'd love to show the world how rich Peruvian artistry is, so that we may stop it from dying out. That's why I dedicate all my time and energy to my work, so that it may be worthy of your admiration."

Johnny was recognized for his contributions to local handicrafts by the City of Lima in 2018.

Handmade: A Global Artisan Marketplace Lima, Peru

Latest Update

"I have been working in crafts with my wife since 2000. It was in 2012 when I joined Novica, thanks to a cousin who told me about the platform. I must confess that at first, I did not give much importance to my listings, however, starting in 2015 I began to pay more attention to my sales and inventory rotation. Additionally, my products began to be selected for the fall/winter catalogs. That really changed my life.

“In 2016 we began to improve my house, which before was practically made of cardboard and wood. Today we have a beautiful family home thanks to my sales at Novica. I am extremely grateful that today I have financial peace of mind and the gratitude of providing my children with an education."

Original Artist Story

Johnny is heir to a family leather tanning tradition. His father, Don Diomedes had a leather workshop, and he learned the craft alongside his siblings. Their parents and uncles were their teachers. By the time he was six years old, Johnny would play with spare pieces of tooled leather, making designs. He eventually learned to tool. "It's ironic how, back then when I was a kid and had no experience, I never had an accident. And later, with years of experience, I cut my hand!" Johnny confides.

"When I was 12 years old I was allowed to work on my own designs, and when I was 15, I was given my own set of tools! I used to compete with other people in the workshop too. Now I'm married to Irene, and we have two children, Brigitte and Johnny.

"When my dad ran the workshop, we specialized in colonial motifs. I prefer Inca motifs. I studied business administration but, the truth is, I much prefer doing this. I like to try new things, including different leather tooling methods, and, in doing so, I realized the quality of my work improved drastically. I am regarded as being one of the few tanners in Peru that still works with his hands.

"Some people from the United States visited my workshop and liked my work, and since then they keep commissioning items for cowboys. This experience has taught me the value of constantly creating and renovating, and working with different materials, including leather, wood, and wrought iron.

"My dad and I learned to draw on our own because we enjoy creating new designs for our leatherwork.

"There used to be many leather tannery workshops, but now there are only two where I live, mine and that of another featured artist, Moises Alvarez. That's why I'm very happy to be associated with you. I'd love to show the world how rich Peruvian artistry is, so that we may stop it from dying out. That's why I dedicate all my time and energy to my work, so that it may be worthy of your admiration."

Johnny was recognized for his contributions to local handicrafts by the City of Lima in 2018.

Andes Artisan Empowerment Hub

Explore the Andes region, once home to the Inca, Wari, Chavin and other ancient empires. Today, the influences of these ancient civilizations can be found in the artistic handicraft traditions that artisans use to create the vast array of jewelry, home furnishings, pottery, textiles, paintings and folk art that preserve the diverse, complex heritage of this colorful Latin land.

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Maker BadgeCaring for Children

This artist supports children under the age of 18.

Maker BadgeMoving On Up

This artist has dramatically improved their livelihood by working with NOVICA.

Maker BadgePreserving Traditions

This artist uses traditional techniques handed down through the generations and/or creates culturally significant items, helping keep these traditions alive.

Maker BadgeProfound Impact

Every purchase from this artist has a profound impact on their livelihood and income.

Maker BadgeMicrocredit Financing

Johnny Jimenez has received 2 microcredit loans with 0% interest from Kiva and Novica, the first for $200 and the most recent for $850.

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Alternate image for Squared Brown Hand Tooled Leather Catchall from Peru Sienna Tree

$44.99

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Squared Brown Hand Tooled Leather Catchall from Peru 'Sienna Tree'

$44.99

Alternate image for Star Motif Hand Tooled Brown Leather Catchall from Peru Gothic Star

$47.99

Item Detail

Star Motif Hand Tooled Brown Leather Catchall from Peru 'Gothic Star'

$47.99

Alternate image for Hand Tooled Leather Catchall Plate from Peru Mahogany Flower

$44.99

Item Detail

Hand Tooled Leather Catchall Plate from Peru 'Mahogany Flower'

$44.99

Alternate image for Tooled Leather Rectangular Brown Catchall Plate from Peru Redwood Gothic

$39.99

Item Detail

Tooled Leather Rectangular Brown Catchall Plate from Peru 'Redwood Gothic'

$39.99

(1)

Comments

D Deepa Bought this for my husband. Now we have a clean counter and a beautiful catchall .

Alternate image for Leather Catchall in Honey Brown Artisan Crafted in Peru Floral Star

$49.99

Item Detail

Leather Catchall in Honey Brown Artisan Crafted in Peru 'Floral Star'

$49.99

(4)

Comments

Judy Bought this to give as a Christmas gift. Beautifully crafted leather. Large enough for many uses.Do not hesitate to purchase this piece - it was outstanding!

3 more comments

Alternate image for Artisan Crafted Leather Square Catchall from the Andes Brown Lasso

$44.95

Item Detail

Artisan Crafted Leather Square Catchall from the Andes 'Brown Lasso'

$44.95

(68)

Comments

Sharon These catchalls are beautifully crafted and a lovely addition to any room. I have gifted them to all our family members and they love them. We have them in almost every room of our home.

67 more comments

Alternate image for Handcrafted Tooled Leather Inca Wave Motif Catchall Inca Seacoast

$69.99

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Handcrafted Tooled Leather Inca Wave Motif Catchall 'Inca Seacoast'

$69.99

(3)

Comments

Joanne This was a gift to my son when he began leather working a few years ago. He greatly admired it then and it's become more special to him as he continued.

2 more comments

Alternate image for Hand Tooled Leather Celtic Catchall from Peru Celtic Magic

$44.99

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Hand Tooled Leather Celtic Catchall from Peru 'Celtic Magic'

$44.99

Alternate image for Brown Hand Tooled Leather Catchall Plate from Peru Colonial Florals

$47.99

Item Detail

Brown Hand Tooled Leather Catchall Plate from Peru 'Colonial Florals'

$47.99

Alternate image for Brown Tree Motif Hand Tooled Leather Catchall from Peru Blooming Tree

$47.99

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Brown Tree Motif Hand Tooled Leather Catchall from Peru 'Blooming Tree'

$47.99

Alternate image for Peruvian Handcrafted Tooled Leather Andean Catchall Bramblebush

$59.99

Item Detail

Peruvian Handcrafted Tooled Leather Andean Catchall 'Bramblebush'

$59.99

(4)

Comments

Dr Karen This leather catchall is gorgeous. I love the finish and the tool designs in the leather. This makes a fabulous and thoughtful gift for someone special on your list. Excellent work Johnny. I will order this item again.

3 more comments

Alternate image for Tree of Life Artisan Crafted Tooled Leather Catchall Tree of Life

$47.99

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Tree of Life Artisan Crafted Tooled Leather Catchall 'Tree of Life'

$47.99

(14)

Comments

Catherine When this came, I opened the box, I couldn't believe how beautiful it was.I will be ordering another as a gift for my brother. The picture of the item it true to the way it looks.

13 more comments

Alternate image for Leather Catch All Handcrafted in Peru of Tooled Leather Brown Lasso Labyrinth

$37.99

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Leather Catch All Handcrafted in Peru of Tooled Leather 'Brown Lasso Labyrinth'

$37.99

(3)

Comments

Aleta I bought 4 different trays from this artisan, and so I won't repeat myself, only that you should buy as many of these as you can. They are fantastic, and so worth every penny. I love them. They can be put anywhere. Even without anything in them, they are beautiful accent pieces.

2 more comments

118 Reviews for

June 24, 2023

D Debbie

Gave these and a few others as gifts- I even gave one to myself! .

Johnny Jimenez

Johnny Jimenez

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