In a small town nestled in the Andes Mountains of southern Peru, Jesús quietly carries on a rich family tradition of toy making. With the help of his wife Veronica and their children, he creates some of the finest quality bears in the country using only the softest Baby Alpaca fleece. Each piece that leaves his workshop carries the warmth of his craft, his heritage and his home.
We discovered Jesús after a long search, travelling from the north to the south of Peru in pursuit of exceptional quality for our toy production. René, our South American team member, spoke to dozens of people in both Lima and Cusco before being pointed toward a town known for one thing: its incredible toymakers. Locally, they’re called los peliteros, “hair makers”, renowned for their skill in working with natural fibres like Alpaca.
With no prior contacts in the town, René did what locals do best — he asked around. Eventually, someone passed him a few phone numbers, including one name spoken with particular respect: Jesús. Known for his professionalism, humility and meticulous standards, Jesús was hesitant at first. He typically works with foreign brands and was cautious when he heard a local voice on the line, unsure whether it was a real opportunity or a scam. But after hearing more about La Sierra and Australia, Jesús invited René to his home.
From the moment René stepped into his workshop, we knew we had found the right artisan. Since then, Jesús has been a key part of La Sierra’s story, not only making our incredibly special Luxe Bears and medium Huacaya bears, but also crafting our fleece rugs and cushion covers. Every piece is made by hand, with natural, undyed fibres that give each product its own unique character and personality.
We’ve had the pleasure of visiting Jesús and his family several times since, most memorably in 2018 and 2021. On each occasion, we were welcomed like old friends, treated to a home-cooked meal by Veronica, and introduced to the small team who help bring these cuddly companions to life.
Jesús’s process is slow and intentional. It takes time to create pieces of this quality, and we honour that time, paying fair prices and planning well in advance. We’re proud to support his family, including his daughter, who studies at university in Cusco, and his son, who attends school locally. Since meeting Jesús, he has expanded his workshop and now employs more people from the local area — a town where work opportunities are limited and many young people must relocate over three hours away to the nearest city in search of jobs.
It’s rare to find work like his. Each bear is slightly different, soft, soulful and full of character. We’re incredibly lucky to have found Jesús and to be able to share his craft with you. His work brings so much joy, comfort and care into the homes of everyone who holds one of these beautiful creations.