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Lucuma Fruit


Member of the Fair Trade Federation since 1999

Member of Green America

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Crisantino Montes
& His Tapestry Art


Raw Alpaca Fur

Step 1: The process begins with raw alpaca fur.

Washed Wool Thread

Step 2: The wool is washed, hand-spun into fine thread and washed again. This process takes anywhere from 5 days to one month.



The colors of the rainbow and parrots inspire Crisantino’s color choices. Many other elements of nature, such as fish and tadpoles, inspire his designs. A sense of his ancestral culture and tradition shows in his contemporary pieces.


Crisantino began spinning wool at age 8. His parents taught him while living in Cangallo, a little town in the Andes of Peru.



Colored Wool Thread

Step 3: Thread is colored using 100% natural dyes.



With three years of studies in chemical engineering, Crisantino has become an expert on natural dying. He uses a variety of local plants, minerals and cochinilla to develop an impressive range of vibrant colors.



Bundles of Colored Thread

Step 4: Small bundles of colored thread are prepared for the loom.
Crisantino Tapestry

Dimensions: 4x5 ft. It takes approximately 15-20 days to spin enough wool to make a tapestry of this size. The weaving will take an additional 1-2 months.


His additional studies in mathematics have helped develop his unique style. He creates his elaborate geometric patterns on paper first, to use as a guide in the weaving process.

Crisantino's Sketchbook

Crisantino sketches his ideas on paper first.

Close-up of Tapestry

A close-up of the woven tapestry based on the sketch shown above.
Claudia and Crisantino

Crisantino and his wife, Claudia.



Claudia’s father introduced Crisantino to the art of weaving. Claudia already knew the artform, and assists Crisantino in weaving his designs.



Crisantino at the Loom

Crisantino at the loom. June 2004, Peru
Crisantino Tapestry

Dimensions: 2x3 ft. It takes approximately 5 days to spin enough wool to make a tapestry of this size. The weaving will take an additional 15 days.

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Creating a Beautiful World!TM

Lucuma Designs' commitment to beauty, superb craftsmanship and sustainable design empowers talented women artists and family workshops in Peru to help themselves and their communities. As a fair trade business based on collaboration and long term personal relationships, we believe in a world of compassion, prosperity and happiness for all.

Proud members of the Fair Trade Federation since 1999.

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