Ivory Cotton Shoulder Bags

"We are Mirta and Rosa Aguayo, born in Lima and Piura respectively since our family moved to Lima soon after Rosa was born. We come from a close-knit family and our parents instilled in us good values ever since we were children. Our artistic formation began at home and continued at school. We loved to knit and we loved everything associated with knitting. In fact one of our most cherished memories is watching mom knit everything from clothes to tablecloths and blankets. That's how it all began for us, and that's how we learned.

"Rosa is more passionate about knitting and in fact we joke with her saying she even knits in her sleep! Mirta, the youngest, is discovering the pleasure – and the therapeutic effects – of knitting. We describe this art as a passion because we knit each bag by hand and with love, and because we so enjoy what we do. For us knitting is also about sharing time between us sisters, for we believe that family is the most precious thing in life.

"The message we would like to share through our products is that when a woman gives something her all, she can be her own boss and can get ahead through her efforts and her hands. We also want to share our cultural heritage so it doesn't get lost and can be taught to all who wish to learn it.

"For me, Rosa, this craft is like a newborn who learns little by little and so develops the best way possible. Bit by bit the baby grows and becomes a bigger and greater person.

"We don't sell our bags in shops or exhibit them in artisan fairs. It started with my family and relatives placing orders and somehow the orders kept coming in more and more so that I wasn't only knitting bags for my family, it expanded to include friends, then friends of friends, and so on. I love where this journey is taking me!

"The greatest challenges we've had to overcome we believe is life itself, especially surviving in this world with only our hands and our talent. To Novica clients we'd like to tell you that our bags are 100% handmade and that they come from women committed to forge ahead with their own efforts and skills. We would also like to thank you for trusting us and for opening your homes to us through our products."