Julio Sanchez

Julio Sanchez hand-tooled wood and leather furniture and decor

"Hola! I'm Julio Eugenio Sanchez Bernuy, born in the beautiful city of Huaraz. I lived there with my grandparents until I was nine, then moved to my uncle's house in Callao, where the schools were better.

"My uncle worked with wood and leather, and I learned my craft from him. When I was just 12, he let me begin finishing small pieces like leather trunks and jewelry boxes. I loved the work so much that I'd swipe pieces of leather from other people in the workshop to practice leather embossing on my own. When I was 16, my uncle began teaching me the art of tooled leather. He was a master craftsman.

"My work is a very delicate job, as it requires a lot of effort, dedication and especially, practice. I find motivation in my family. I believe that a child should go farther in life than his parents did, and that's why I want my children to become the best people they possibly can. I want them to triumph in life. If I have to work into the wee hours every night to make this happen, I'll do it because they are my soul, my heart and life.

"I married quite young. Marriage is a union not to be taken lightly, and it took much patience to get used to my wife and her customs, as everyone sees life in a different way. I enjoy spending my free time with my family, and I also like to play foosball. But I dedicate most of my free time to our children.

"Through my designs, I want to share my culture and our roots. And I also want to demonstrate the work of Peruvian leather craftspeople – we work in high relief, which is extremely difficult. It takes years to perfect the technique to the point that we become known as masters of our art.

"I also strive to create better designs day by day, because you can't let yourself get in rut. To offer my work all over the world, I need the highest quality, as today's shoppers are more discerning than ever.

"My art is a family heritage, handed down over generations of great masters in the art of tooled leather. I was fortunate to learn from one of them, and that has made me what I am today. Now my challenge is to do better with every passing day.

"Thank you for your support — you motivate us craftspeople to continue improving our art. Thanks to you, we can give our children a better life so that they can achieve more than their parents. That is my dream."

Handmade: A Global Artisan Marketplace PE

"My uncle worked with wood and leather, and I learned my craft from him. When I was just 12, he let me begin finishing small pieces like leather trunks and jewelry boxes. I loved the work so much that I'd swipe pieces of leather from other people in the workshop to practice leather embossing on my own. When I was 16, my uncle began teaching me the art of tooled leather. He was a master craftsman.

"My work is a very delicate job, as it requires a lot of effort, dedication and especially, practice. I find motivation in my family. I believe that a child should go farther in life than his parents did, and that's why I want my children to become the best people they possibly can. I want them to triumph in life. If I have to work into the wee hours every night to make this happen, I'll do it because they are my soul, my heart and life.

"I married quite young. Marriage is a union not to be taken lightly, and it took much patience to get used to my wife and her customs, as everyone sees life in a different way. I enjoy spending my free time with my family, and I also like to play foosball. But I dedicate most of my free time to our children.

"Through my designs, I want to share my culture and our roots. And I also want to demonstrate the work of Peruvian leather craftspeople – we work in high relief, which is extremely difficult. It takes years to perfect the technique to the point that we become known as masters of our art.

"I also strive to create better designs day by day, because you can't let yourself get in rut. To offer my work all over the world, I need the highest quality, as today's shoppers are more discerning than ever.

"My art is a family heritage, handed down over generations of great masters in the art of tooled leather. I was fortunate to learn from one of them, and that has made me what I am today. Now my challenge is to do better with every passing day.

"Thank you for your support — you motivate us craftspeople to continue improving our art. Thanks to you, we can give our children a better life so that they can achieve more than their parents. That is my dream."

The Andes Fulfillment 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 BadgeEnabling Education

Julio is deeply committed to the belief that children should have a better life than their parents. Even though his children are grown, he continues to pay for their university studies.

Maker BadgeJob Creator

Julio is able to employ two people full-time. He is also able to give work to other artisans who work from their homes.

Maker BadgePreserving Traditions

Treasured since colonial times, Peruvian leather work is a difficult and demanding art form. Characterized by high relief, it is a style requiring precision and years of practice. At age 12, under the tutelage of his uncle, a master craftsman, Julio began to study the art by learning to apply the final finish to his uncle's pieces. Seeing his love of the craft and his dedication, his uncle began to teach him leather tooling at age 16. To this day. Julio has never tired of his art. He continues to practice and perfect the art of Peruvian leather work, often training many of the artisans, past and present, employed by his workshop.

Maker BadgeProfound Impact

Julio's Novica sales account for most of his income. These sales enable him to care for his family and provide the steady income he needs to maintain his workshop and employ other artisans.

Maker BadgeMoving On Up

The patience that leather work demands has helped Julio to maintain his workshop. He is constantly training other artisans and encouraging them to move on by opening their own workshops. He provides steady employment to numerous artisans in his community.

Maker BadgeMicrocredit Financing

Julio Sanchez has received a $2050 microcredit loan with 0% interest.

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February 15, 2022

K Kelley

I had been eyeing this box for a couple of years but I was hesitant because it was as overseas and I was worried about the shipping! But it got here super quick and my box is just stunning, I love it! Thank you

Julio Sanchez

Julio Sanchez

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