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Margarita and Martha

Born in Lima on November 23, 1976, Margarita studied anthropology and art at the university while also taking courses in photography and cooking. Since 2002, she has crafted Christmas decorations with the help of her mother, Martha Chiurliza de Gonzáles. The creative pair uses traditional materials in innovative ways, combining ribbons and fabrics with miniature people, beads and tiny straw baskets.

"We wanted to make something pretty, and I wanted to be able to stay at home with my baby, Lorenzo," Margarita confides. And this satisfies both her creative needs and her role as the mother of a busy toddler. She and Martha both look after the boy and both design their ornaments.

"Everything we make uses Peruvian materials that few people take advantage of. We think they are just wonderful," the women say. "We'd like the whole world to visit Peru, and, of course, to enjoy our favorite handicrafts." The mother-daughter team provides job opportunites for other women who can also stay at home and take care of their children.