lightweight purses

Blue butterflies browse brilliant blossoms in a sunny Peruvian meadow. By Balvina Huaytalla, this handcrafted coin purse showcases the traditional Andean art of arpillería. Each tiny figure is crafted in three dimensions and embroidered by hand. The reverse side is solid black cotton.

Peruvian artisan Maria Ramos Sanchez handcrafts this mini shoulder bag with an arpilleria style front, in which cotton blend felt is appliquéd and embroidered to create an elaborate scene. The artisan creates an Andean scene with a loving couple surrounded by flowers enjoying a mountain view under a sunny sky. This lovely, brightly-colored scene is on a saffron-colored background, and the back and lining of the bag are black. The single compartment is secured with a zipper and a long, colorful strap makes it easy to carry the bag over the shoulder or across the body.

A Peruvian villager enjoys a sunny day in the Andes while caring for her animals in the hand-embroidered scene on this coin purse. Designed by artisan Balvina Huaytalla, the charming arpillería purse is crafted from a colorful cotton blend with a blue and white gingham cotton lining.

Peruvian villagers enjoy a sunrise in the Andes in the hand-embroidered scene on this coin purse. Designed by artisan Balvina Huaytalla, the charming purse is crafted from a colorful cotton blend with a blue and white cotton gingham lining.

Against a background of stark black, colorful stripes and geometric patterns are diligently incorporated into the body of this sling bag. UMBVS Desert Weavers of India present this easy going bag as part of an effort to promote the welfare of local artisans in the Thar desert of Rajasthan. They weave the bag by hand from cotton on a traditional loom adding geometric patterns in bright colors using a traditional extra weft technique giving it an embroidered look. A zipper pocket on the front offers additional space for storing small items.

Peruvian artisan Maria Ramos Sanchez handcrafts this mobile phone case with an arpillera style front, in which cotton blend felt is appliquéd and embroidered to create an elaborate scene. The artisan was inspired by the beautiful Tambopata National Reserve of Peru, and fills this jungle scene with scarlet macaws perched in flowering trees, a tiger stalking through the foliage on the jungle floor, and a sloth peeking out from amongst the branches. This lovely, brightly colored scene is on a yellow background, and the back and lining of the bag are black. The single compartment is secured with a zipper and a long, colorful strap makes it easy to carry the case over the shoulder or across the body.