A chronological look at how a Chaska piece travels: the workshop, the dye bath, the loom, the certification, and finally the wall or table where it settles.
We begin by visiting partner cooperatives in Puno and Ayacucho. Alpaca fleece is sorted by hand, checked for length and softness, and set aside for natural dyeing. Only fiber that passes this first review moves forward.
Cochineal is crushed and soaked, indigo leaves are fermented, and native plants like chilca are gathered for yellows. Each batch is tested on small skeins before the full dye lot is committed, so the palette stays consistent.
Artisans set up the backstrap loom and begin the slow rhythm of weaving. A single wall hanging can take three to four weeks of daily work. Patterns are read from memory, with each motif carrying a specific regional meaning.
Pieces are washed in cold water, stretched on wooden frames, and inspected for even tension and clean edges. Loose threads are trimmed by hand. Any piece with a flaw is set aside and reworked rather than shipped.
Each textile is documented with its workshop origin, weaver name, technique, and dye sources. The fair trade certificate is attached, and the piece is photographed for the catalog with full provenance details.
Finished pieces are rolled in acid-free tissue, packed in reinforced boxes, and shipped to interior designers and boutique hotels. Delivery times vary by region, but every order includes a care card and the weaver's story.
Our team responds within two working days. For urgent inquiries about a specific textile or a commissioned piece, mention the piece reference in your message and we will prioritise it.
What to expect at each stage
Each commission begins with a short brief: palette, room size, and the region whose weaving tradition you want represented. We match you with a workshop that fits the scope.
Artisans prepare the loom and dye the yarn with cochineal, indigo, or native plants. Natural dyeing takes one to two weeks depending on the color depth you choose.
A wall tapestry of two square meters takes roughly three weeks of daily weaving. Table runners and cushion covers move faster, usually seven to ten days per piece.
Every piece is photographed, documented with its origin and technique, and checked against fair trade certification before it leaves the workshop.
Shipping from the Andes to your door takes five to nine days. We share the tracking link and the certificate of origin as soon as the parcel is handed over.