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Taking a walk in the countryside, three girls and their llama take in a view of the Andean mountains. This striking cosmetic bag is handcrafted of cotton blend arpillera patchwork for a lovely companion. Peruvian artisan Balvina Huaytalla designs the bag. It opens with a zipper to a plastic-lined interior.
The Women's Empowerment badge is awarded to female artisans or artisan groups that are led by women.
Balvina works with two Peruvian art forms to create her highly-graphic colorful decor and fashion accessories. Growing-up in Ayacucho, she learned the traditional embroidery style of that region from her mother and grandmother. During the Peruvian reign of terror, her family fled to the mountains around Lima where she learned arpillerÃa, the traditional Andean form of applique. Balvina often incorporates both embroidery and applique into her work, creating unique contemporary designs with traditional techniques.
Balvina is an artisan in the early stages of growing her workshop but one with the mindset to succeed. She thinks of herself as an entrepreneur and has moved from needing help to helping others. Although she does not yet have any full-time helpers, she hires other artisans in her community to help her fill her orders.
When Balvina began to work with Novica, she was cleaning houses to survive. Now she is able to earn a living from the art she loves. She is able to provide for her son. A steady income has brought her a sense of empowerment and a bright future no longer seems a distant dream.
Balvina has tried to have her son's father help with the cost of his education but he refuses. She struggles to cover the costs of her son's schooling and is deeply committed to paying for his education on her own.
Balvina is a fighter. She is a single mother determined to be successful in her work and a great mother to her son Roberto. She has found her strength and is determined to raise her son alone.
Balvina was recently interviewed for the Peruvian television show "Mujeres Empresarias." She confesses that she is still too shy to watch her own interview.
Balvina's work was featured in a recent Novica catalog. The resulting sales led to her hiring several part-time workers to help her complete her orders.
Balvina is a single mother and is determined to give her son her best.
"I want to share Peru's beauty so that it is never forgotten. For me, this art is a way of sharing what I left in Ayacucho, the lovely land where I was born…."
Karen
Melbourne / Victoria / Australia
