Arpillera from Peru

Supporting a project run by the Diocese of Peru

Purchase from a selection of different articles and designs. Please explore this small website to find out more about Arpillera and the project.

The marvellous detail, vivid colours so typical of South America, and the heart of each artist, make every piece of arpillera a wonderful unique gift for anyone.

There is so much to see in each piece that every time you look you will see something different, encouraging you to look and wonder, over and over again. It will also become a real talking point for your visitors. The variety of texture in the materials use and their colour is so typical of South America.

Your purchase will benefit some of the poorest people in Lima, the capital city of Peru. Our Church works with residents of the Shanty Towns who have no natural resources at their disposal and who live in the poorest of self-built accommodation.

The ladies are paid a good and fair price for their work in the projects run by the Church. In addition, through making a small “profit”, all of which is sent back to Peru, we are able to develop further groups, to help members of exisiting groups and their families who have health or other problems, and help even more of these poor people and their families to better their lives.

Please look at our background page for more information on the history of Arpillera in Peru and of the project and to view some photographs of the ladies at work and their environment. Our prices page will give you details of prices of individual items and an indication of postage costs. Our examples page shows you some photographs of the items which can be ordered.

New Products - visit our Examples page

Newest lines

New style Advent Tree, Cafetiere Cover, Double Toilet Roll Cover, Star. See also our lines in Arpillera Cards and Bookmarks (£2.75 / £1.35), woven figures (£3.25), straw figures(£1.95) plus postage at cost. Follow the link to our Examples page. Prices have risen for orders placed in 2012.

Music CDs

A group of musicians from the Shanty Towns who practice and play in the Anglican Church of Jesus of Nazareth have recorded a CD of typical Peruvian style music with an Anglican religious theme. We have a few copies of the CD available at £5 plus postage at cost. We can even provide you with a translation sheet to accompany the CD !

More about how the groups are expanding and how the income is used - see our Background page

Some quotes from the ladies themselves:-

"With my work I send you the peace of God. May it lighten your life like the sun and moon brighten the day and the night."
"We dedicate our art with much love, caring, and a big strong hug for all. Even though you are far away, you are in our hearts."
"I hope this finds all of you who have given us work in good health. I hope you spend time with your families and that they are all in good health. Thank you for everything. May god bless. I will continue to work for my children."
"May your heart be filled with peace, love, and happiness. Thank you for your help. It helps me and my family. We have you in our hearts and prayers. May God bless you and your family."

Talks and Presentations

This is an example of our Outdoor Display stall.

When giving presentations, we would normally set up a similar but smaller internal display (without the Gazebo!)

New Prices

Prices have had to rise for 2012 deliveries. Costs of materials have risen significantly, the exchange rate has gone down and we can no longer absorb the increases. Orders placed in 2012 will be at the new prices. You may, of course, wish to make a small donation in addition to your payment for orders at 2011 prices but delivered in 2012!

Messages from our Customers

Stock

We have a no stock at present. Orders for other items are welcome, delivery approximately 4 - 6 months.

Talks

If your group would like Nick to come to show some photos of Peru, talk about the work of the Church in Peru and especially the Arpillera work in the Shanty Towns - and show a short film of the project at work - , please contact him (within reasonable travelling distance of Chesterfield only please).

Speaking Calendar

Download our current speaking calendar.

Links

Threads of Hope (USA)

Arpillera from the project is sold also in the USA. Their website is very informative about the project.

Diocesan Website

The Diocese has its own website in English.

Price List

Download 2011
Arpillera Price List

Download 2012
Arpillera Price List

Leaflet

Download
Arpillera Explanatory Leaflet

Enquiries

E-mail Nick and Chris Roberts
For Diocese of Worcester, contact Margaret Rutter

Some of our Letters / Emails of thanks 2011

Hello Nick,

Many thanks for the 2 stars which you brought to me at the Cooperative Women’s Guild last night-they are beautiful and much appreciated as I now can give them to my daughter in laws for Christmas as I am sure that they will love them.

Could you please order a Noah’s Ark wall hanging for me with your next order. I know that it will be some time and that the prices may well be different next year but that will be ok.

Thanks and regards

Mrs Aileen Copeland

(1) Dear Nick, the arpillera has arrived and it is more beautiful than I could have imagined. A cheque is in the post. Please could I order two more, ie, two market scene cushion covers? One for my lovely Mum and one for me! I realise they will cost more this time – and will take a long time to come!

Thanks so much, Revd Terrie Robinson
 
(2) Hi Nick.

Now back at my desk and have safely received my wonderful arpillera.

(Revd) Terrie Robinson

Dear Nick,

You beat me to it. I was about to get in touch to thank you for a lovely evening. I know the ladies really enjoyed your excellent presentation and were bowled over by the sheer vitality and quality of the textiles.

Elaine Ward, Dronfield Inner Wheel

Hi Nick,

Thank you so much for sending the Christmas Star and Noah's Ark through... they are just beautiful!

Many thanks. Best wishes

Chloe Smith

Dear Nick and Chris,

Everyone is delighted with the embroidery.

Jenifer Jackson,
St. Lawrence M.U. (Mansfield)

Many thanks for the Arpillera from Peru, they are beautiful and will make great Christmas gifts

Janet Wilson,
Yorkshire Countrywomen’s Association

Dear Chris and Nick

I am delighted with my order (2 Stars and Christmas Tree).

Carole Kirkham, Coal Aston W.I.

 Dear Chris and Nick

I am absolutely delighted with my two blue stars and market scene and wish the “Ladies of Lima” and the Church’s project in Lima all the very best.

Ann Woodley, Yorkshire Countrywomen’s Association

Dear Chris and Nick

I am so thrilled with the Noah’s Ark cushion cover. I have given it to my friend’s granddaughter. She is three months old and is fascinated by it. I hope she will treasure it as it deserves.
Keep up the good work.

Christine Donald

Dear Nick

I am absolutely delighted with the Noah’s Ark cushion cover. Originally, I was purchasing it for my first (and then only) grandson but, since your visit, I have learned that I now have another two grandchildren on the way, so I’m afraid I’ve decided to be selfish and keep the cushion cover for myself.
It will now reside in the cot we are keeping at our house for visiting grandchildren so, as well as being Noah’s Ark, it will also be known as “Granny’s Ark”! We look forward to exploring it with our grandchildren.
Thank you and I wish the Church project in Lima every success.

Rosemary Chappell, Yorkshire Countrywomen’s Association

Dear Nick,

I heard you speak about the sewing project at Dronfield WI and was delighted with the Christmas tree that I bought! I wonder if you could come to do your talk to the Dronfield Trefoil Guild ( retired Guide Leaders!!) ?

Kind Regards, Meryl Simpson

Dear Nick and Chris

I have received the spectacle case and wallet - they are lovely. The wallet for my grandson is very nice - he will like that. Thank you very much for getting all the products for me.

Ann Czerwionka

Hello Nick

What fabulous craftwork!

Regards, Marian

Dear Nick,
 
The stole arrived safely today! You are right... it has so so many figures on it! Colour-filled, happy and even a bit "funny", is how we would describe it. We are both delighted with it.

Thank you, and very best regards,
Deborah Cotter

Hi Nick

Well the stole has been passed on to Kate (as a slightly early Christmas present) and I am pleased to report that it is a total TRIUMPH!
So please can you take this email as a request/order for one for me now!

Happy Christmas and best wishes
Quentin