A Global Archive of Handmade Craft, Established 1987

Maria Isabel “Chavi” Guerra Verastegui, founder

Origin

In 1987, Maria Isabel “Chavi” Guerra arrived in Taos with four children and a suitcase of alpaca sweaters from Bolivia. That suitcase became the foundation of From The Andes.

What began with alpaca textiles expanded into a broader archive of handmade work sourced across Latin America, Africa, and Asia. Each piece was selected directly from artisans, with emphasis on material integrity, cultural lineage, and long-term value.

Before fair trade was a label, it was simply how my mother did business.

Retail Foundation

The business began in El Prado, New Mexico, where Chavi introduced alpaca textiles to the local community and tourism economy.

As demand grew, From The Andes expanded into the Taos Plaza, where its anchor store became a destination for handmade goods rooted in craft, place, and provenance.

At its peak, the company operated three stores in Taos and expanded into Flagstaff and Crested Butte, establishing a multi-location retail presence across tourism-driven markets in the American Southwest.

Continuity

After the physical stores closed, the collection remained preserved. In 2025, Vladimir J. Costa reopened the archive digitally, maintaining the original sourcing philosophy and restoring the collection to public view.

This is not renewable inventory. Most pieces are singular, limited, or otherwise difficult to replace. Once sold, they are generally not restocked.

What We Collect

• Colonial and folk art selected for craftsmanship, provenance, and cultural relevance.
• Alpaca garments and textiles sourced for material integrity, warmth, and enduring utility.
• Ceremonial artifacts and masks representing ritual, regional identity, and handwork traditions.
• One-of-a-kind objects chosen for rarity, individuality, and lasting collector value.

The Curator's Promise

In an era of mass production, the handmade is increasingly rare. From The Andes preserves work that cannot be industrialized: the human hand, continuity of tradition, and the dignity of the maker.

When you acquire a piece from this archive, you are not simply purchasing inventory. You are becoming the next custodian of an object selected to endure.