Aptec Peru is an artisan collective located near Lima, Peru. The organization is a community of 16 family workshops that employs about 140 individuals from low-income areas. The extensive skills of the artisans are seen through the range of products they create, including ceramics, jewelry, textiles, stained glass and woodwork.
Besides helping preserve a culture rich in tradition, the collective helps artisan producers better design and create high quality crafts, enjoy increased sales and earn a steady income. As a member of the International Fair Trade Assocation, APTEC Peru ensures artisans are paid fairly for their work, which creates a sustainable working environment for artisans, their families and communities.
Since 2007, AptecPeru is part of the World Fair Trade Organization (
WFTO) and the Regional Office for Latin America (
WFTO-LA), demonstrating our commitment to social and environmental responsibility in all its processes. Also, we are members of the Fair Trade Movement in Peru that works in the promotion and development of new technology for the environment and nature preservation´s activities.
Their mission
APTECPERU looks forward to promote and develop Peruvian handcrafts aiming to improve artisans producers’ life standards and security through a fair trade and better trade conditions. Also looks that the production processes are respectful with the environment and the ecology.
Their vision
Be a leader organization in the development and commercialization of Peruvian handcrafts and satisfy the life standards of their members.
The artisan families that work with Aptec Peru are also invested in the care and maintenance of their natural resources. Their products are made of natural raw materials such as clay, dried gourds, recycled glass and plant dyes. In addition, the artisans take care to harvest all materials in a sustainable manner, to replenish plant life and maintain water quality. As part of the World Day of the Fair Trade project, the artisans crafted porous ceramic pots that were filled with plants and donated them to 400 families in the village of Nuevo Ayacucho, providing clean air for the community.
Aptec Peru's artisans take great pride in their intricate textiles, beautiful ceramic pots and vases, silver jewelry and creative gourd decorations. In turn, these crafts, and loyal buyers like yourselves, help the artisans create a sustainable income and future.
After drying, the artisan draws his/her initial design in pencil, then uses a carving tool to remove small pieces of gourd, creating a 3-dimensional version of the original design. Next, the artisan burns the pattern with a glowing ember, usually a feather-shaped piece of Quinual wood that's been heated over a fire, to establish contrast between the carvings and the gourd. The artisan can vary the intensity of the heat by blowing on the ember; the harder the artist blows, the darker the burn.
