Zigzag Alpaca Blend Tote in Claret from Peru, "Roads of the Inca"

"I'm Heber Hernan Ccahua Surco. I was born in 1970 in Peru's imperial province of Cuzco, with its long and colorful history. I consider myself to be an honest hard-working man, painstaking in my work and always open to suggestions.

"My parents gave the best of themselves when I was a child. They created a loving home and taught me the value of honor and respect. They also taught me to fight for what I want. Mother always did everything possible for her family and worked in a thousand jobs to help with the family finances. She dyed fleece and yarn, and she used to make ponchos. She was truly my inspiration, because I fell in love with textiles, fabrics and looms at an early age. Today I use these weavings in my handbags and accessories, and my wife and sister help me with the entire crafting process.

"I love to explore the talents of our great cultures through my work, which is inspired by Inca textiles. Our textile tradition is one of the oldest in the Andes. It was most highly developed during the apogee of the Inca Empire. This was due to its use of different materials and techniques, resulting from the fusion of cultures within the empire. Inca weavers created a wide variety of textiles and clothing for everyday use.

"Inca textiles are characterized by their geometric designs and fine technique. Their tapestries and feather cloaks are notable. These artisans had an extraordinary sense of symmetry, reflected in the orderly repetition of stylized figures. I transmit these aesthetic concepts in my own designs and colors. They are a part of my culture and the history of Peru and our Cuzco Inca traditions.

"I think what I love most about developing my art is the versatility and the great variety of designs that I can craft by combining colors and creating harmony among them.

"One of my dreams is to be able to take my art to more places in the world, to cross the borders of Peru and showcase what is done in the beautiful province of Cuzco.

"It hasn't been easy but, with hard work and perseverance, you can achieve many things. It's also a pleasure to be able to provide work opportunities for the people in our local jails, thus teaching them an art they can use in the future."