Offering Independent Specialty Retailers an Edge
In a time when store chains and sameness are everywhere, as a specialty
retailer you have the opportunity to reach consumers offering them the
originality and meaning they crave. Working hand-in-hand with talented Peruvian
artists, Lucuma Designs is committed to helping independent and specialty
stores like yours develop an edge to be able to compete with
national boring
chains. We provide your store with exclusive and creative handmade
gifts your customers will find nowhere else. Best of all our fair trade gifts,
accents and fashion accessories come with a story you can be proud to share
with your customers.
We believe that a just and more equal world is possible and reachable. As a
socially responsible and fair trade company, Lucuma Designs values people
first. Our business practices are based on building relationships of mutual
respect with our artist partners, our employees, clients and the community.
Long term sustainability and respect for the Earth is also our concern as we
constantly evaluate what makes the most ecological sense.
Since 1998, it has been our goal to promote the best of Peruvian folk art and
fine craftsmanship while helping artists and small producers improve their
livelihoods and keeping traditions alive.
Alessandra Bravo, co-founder and designer, selects, trains and guides our
artist partners as they create innovative and original products you can feel
proud selling in your store.
Collaborating with a network of about 20 family workshops and small producers,
and reaching over 200 artists throughout Peru, Lucuma Designs brings you plenty
of originality to show your customers.
Lucuma Designs is a proud member and supporter of the Fair Trade Federation, a
non profit association of businesses helping disadvantaged producers all over
the world through sustainable business practices.
The Fair Trade Advantage
More than ever, consumers want to know where the products they buy come from.
Fair trade gives you the confidence and assurance to tell them.
Fair Trade products put your store in good light and create goodwill, as your
customers will appreciate your caring for people and sustainability.
You can benefit from the most exclusive and original gifts made by family
workshops, women's cooperatives and small producers who enjoy creating their
work.
Best of all, there is a true story of an artist behind every product that you
can be proud to share with your customers.
Handmade Originality & Creativity
We encourage our artists to express themselves and be as creative as possible
in every piece they make, to refresh your collection every time and to keep
your customers coming back for more.
Handmade Exclusivity
As designers, we work hand in hand with artists who bring our innovative ideas
to life. You can surprise your customers with an array of imaginative, often
one of a kind and artist signed gifts, they will not find at the mall.
Handmade Quality
Following a long tradition of fine Peruvian craftsmanship, combined with
contemporary designs, the Lucuma Designs collection offers you superb quality
for lasting impressions. So you can offer in your store the most creative
works, Lucuma Designs' products are always made by hand, in small batches, with
the most attention to detail. Our artist partners take pride in their work and
we fully back each single piece from our collection. With our strict quality
control, feel confident you will receive only the best.
Minimum with our low $200 opening minimum, it is easy to get started and enjoy
our best selling gifts. Reorder minimum: $100
Fashion Minimum 3 handbags first order, $100 on reorders.
Pay By Visa, MC, American Express or check.
Net 30 credit terms available after your initial order. Fax references to 877-858-2862.
15-days Returns for risk-free shopping on the rare occasion when a
product is not as expected.
Fast Shipping orders ship usually within a day or two.
Easy Ordering online 24/7, by phone 800.952.1810, fax
877.363.0735 or email.
Shop Online and take advantage of web-only wholesale specials and see
what's in stock for immediate delivery.
Lucuma Fresh Look Guarantee We want your store to have the right mix of products! If any Lucuma product isn't moving as quickly as you'd like, simply exchange it within a year's time - until you find the products that work for you!
Call Us Toll Free
Feel free to call us toll free at
800.952.1810 during office hours
10am until 6pm, Monday through Friday, or
email your
questions as we will be happy to help you explore what is best for your store.
Stores of all sizes are welcome!
Art Museums, Botanic Gardens, Zoos & Nature stores
Fair Trade, Coffee Shops & Socially Responsible Stores
International Arts & Crafts Galleries
Independent Specialty Stores and Boutiques in the USA and abroad
Lucuma Designs serves a select niche of very special stores who recognize the
individuality, creativity, fine craftsmanship and handmade value of our lines.
From large to small, from the Smithsonian Museums to specialty boutiques on
Main St., it is our goal to help independent and museum retailers transform
their stores into shopping destinations.
Women 80%, Men 20%
Educated consumers who have probably traveled and have a taste for other
cultures.
Socially responsible, cultural creatives, and LOHAS consumers who want to make
a difference in the world and who appreciate knowing that the person who made
their gift was compensated fairly.
Green consumers who appreciate the recycled and renewable materials found in
most of our lines.
Our creative, handmade collections range from impulse buys such as knitted
puppets to one of a kind pieces from our Gallery.
Lucuma Designs Gift Collections
Carved gourds SRP: $5 - $150
Finger puppets SRP: $3 - $5.50
3-D Arpillera Art Quilts SRP: $75 - $650
Mirrors & Wall Decor
Handmade jewelry SRP: $13 - $60
Decorative & Jewelry Boxes
Handcrafted greeting cards SRP: $6 - $9
Lucuma Fashion Collections
Fashion handbags and accessories SRP: $70 - $350
Imagine. In the midst of your store, you have cleverly displayed our natural
gourd boxes and ornaments, or a big basket of colorful finger puppets. Or,
maybe it's a collection of three dimensional art quilts bursting off your walls
that sparks your customer's interest. They have never seen anything like it
before.
Their imagination starts to flow…."Are these gourds? What are they? Where do
they come from? Who made it?" Never missing an opportunity, you say, pointing
to the story sheet displayed with the gourds, "Aren't they wonderful? Each
piece is an original, hand crafted one-at-a-time by expert carvers in Peru.
It's a tradition they've been practicing for over 4,000 years. Here they are
today, hand carved with adorable ladybugs, beautiful butterflies, and modern
geometric designs. And by the way, these gifts are fair trade, which means that
the artists who made them were compensated fairly, and really enjoyed creating
them."
That sale was easy.
Often, nature is the source of inspiration for our Peruvian artists, so it is
no surprise that wildlife, natural landscapes, exotic flowers and animals are
represented everywhere in our collections. The natural twist and handmade
quality and originality of our lines sells and attracts attention. And with
over 1000 unique gifts, ranging from home accents, Christmas decor, toys, folk
art, jewelry and fashion accessories, you can surely create excitement in your
store!
"Just wanted to let you know we received your wonderful shipment. I especially
appreciate that you send the information sheets on the gourds and puppets. I
think that really will help get the message across about how they are special.
You have really added the icing to the cake in our store and it will be
beautiful for our grand opening - and I can't wait to see how much we can sell!
Thanks again." Kerry Laird, Pacific Bay Coffee Company, CA
"A lady came in today and bought almost all of my finger puppets! She even
bought the STAND that I display them on! Could you please send me another Mix
set of 100 and the counter display basket & rack. These add so much to our
shop. The kids love them and so do LOTS of adults. Thanks so much". Linda
Zemke, Ten Thousand Villages, Kansas City
"I personally appreciated the printout 'story telling' sheet that came along
with the gourd bowls. More informational printouts such as this helps sell
product and educates our visitors on the talents of artists throughout the
world. Please keep this up!!!" Rochelle Bachman, The Wildlife Experience
Museum, CO
If you enjoy the originality and quality of Lucuma Designs ArtCrafts and have
an idea for a new product, we'd be happy to help you make it happen! As
designers, we work directly with talented Peruvian artists who handcraft our
original collection so possibilities are endless. We offer you the opportunity
to challenge our artists to create a unique product for the upcoming Fall
2008 season. Email or call to request more information.
As a fair trade company, we work hard to help improve the lives of talented
Peruvian artists and craftsman by guiding the development of high quality
handcrafts and by creating a viable marketplace for their art. Thinking about
people before profits and caring about sustainability for the long run, means
that sometimes we are forced to make difficult choices.
To keep the chain of success moving for everyone, and placing our wholesale
client’s needs first, we strongly feel it is our duty to protect and maintain
the exclusivity of our handmade lines as much as possible. Unfortunately, this
means we are forced to limit their web exposure. Even more, our handmade gifts
and home accents sell best and are better appreciated in a store setting where
people can touch and see them from up close. Lucuma Designs' top priority is
serving our brick and mortar wholesale clients first.
This may sound odd, but we truly believe this is the best for everyone. We hope
you will understand why, at this moment, we are unable to offer our lines to
online retailers or catalogs. Since we receive frequent requests from online
retailers, we are evaluating offering a suitable selection of interesting
products that will do best online for the near future. On rare occassions, for
specific products, and on a case-by-case basis, we may consider making an
exception.
Sorry, because of all that was explained above, and because our handmade
products truly do best when people can see them and touch them, we are unable
at this moment to offer web stores or catalogs wholesale prices or drop
shipping.
