As a retailer, I receive countless emails, direct messages, and mail deliveries from companies that want us to sell their products. I'll admit, I do tune most of it out. We are physically a small shop that can't afford to have a product line that sits and doesn't sell well. A couple of months ago, I got another direct message from a company called Living Fibers, asking if we'd be interested in their products. For whatever reason, before I fired off my usual response, I clicked on the profile and realized that it was from a Peruvian fiber artist, Mariana Baertl. I spent a chunk of my graduate school time studying and working in Peru, so it is a place that is dear to me. This artist's work was STUNNING, and I knew that we had to have it in our shop. So, a couple of months later, just before the holiday season, we finally have our order in the shop! 

Mariana Baertl is based in Lima, which offers her daily inspiration due to its history in traditional craft-making, particularly textiles. Mariana began her journey in Peru, where she studied Fashion Design. She then emigrated to Barcelona, Spain, specializing in Haute Couture and pattern making. During this time, she obtained a postgraduate degree in Fashion Business Management from Pompeu Fabra University. Once finished, she worked as a fashion designer for a large retailer in Lima, where she started experimenting with textures and textiles over several years. It was during this time that Mariana fell in love with fiber art and began to create her unique pieces. As Mariana's passion for her art form grew, she decided to focus solely on her artwork, and she has been creating authentic and imaginative pieces ever since.

Living Fibers is an extension of her art - her company sells materials and kits to help you learn how to make your own unique fiber art pieces for your home. We are so excited to have latch hook kits and tapestry kits from this amazing artist! 

The latch hook kits are the perfect place to start learning the basic principles of latch hooking by creating your very own simple yet decorative tapestry. With these kits, you can follow Mariana's design to create a gorgeous art piece designed by this amazing fiber artist. Inside the Living Fibers canvas bag, you'll find all the materials you need, including a set of instructions, one latch hook needle, a pattern, and a selection of handspun, natural wool, all hand-dyed. You can browse all of her gorgeous designs and shop the kits here on our site.

Her tapestry kits are also gorgeous. Mariana has gathered a collection of some of her favorite yarns and materials and created a beautifully curated fiber pack. This pack is perfect for weavers and makers who don't want to invest in large skeins of yarn but want a variety of textures in a beautifully designed color palette. Her eye for color and texture is amazing, and these tapestry kits are inspiring my whole staff to make tapestry pieces for their homes this winter! This bundle of fibers is enough for two or three projects depending on the size and style. Pair them with our pop out looms or the larger Lilli Loom for an amazing gift.