Mayu is the top Internet shop for fashionable, hand-knit, alpaca scarves. Our one-of-a-kind (professionally designed) scarves are knit with only the best, 100% pure alpaca fiber by a group of artisans in rural Peru. Oh, and we are members of the Fair Trade Federation too. Shop our alpaca scarf collection today.
Ruffled Alpaca Scarf
Alpaca Infinity Scarf with Bow
Floral Alpaca Scarf
Unisex Infinity Alpaca Scarf
In the past I’ve posted a lot of Peruvian recipes and about some of my favorite Peruvian foods (there are a few non-Peruvian products in there). If you didn’t know, Peru is known for its culinary diversity. Unfortunately, when I was working with Mayu’s knitters in the Peace Corps, I can’t say I had the most exciting food. I spent a lot of time carbo-loading on rice, noodles, potatoes and the very best bread in the whole of Peru. The bread part is no joke! Maybe that explains why Mayu’s artisans knit our beautiful, Fair Trade alpaca scarves and alpaca wraps so quickly — all that energy from the carbs? Or, maybe because they are super skilled and have been knitting since the young age of 4! Learn more about the knitters here.
What I didn’t have enough of, and wish I did, was Amaranth, otherwise know as Kiwicha, a grain that is native to the Andes Mountains. One of the most popular Peruvian snacks are called Kiwicha Balls (see picture below). In fact, one of my Peace Corps friends worked with a cooperative of Kiwicha farmers to help market their products. Every once in a while, he’d share some of their experimental Kiwicha Balls — although they didn’t look perfect, they were delicious and nutritious.
Are you looking for a new grain too add to your diet? Tired of Quinoa. I suggest taking a quick trip to your local market (Whole Foods bulk section too) to pick up some Amaranth. You can boil it like rice, toast it, ground it or pop it! Learn more about Peruvian Kiwicha here. Oh, and if you can find the plant, you can use the flowers to paint your face a deep color red — a popular method used during traditional Peruvian celebrations!
For more on Mayu, find us on Twitter, and Facebook, and hear more stories from the field on our Blog!
I always get excited around this time of year because this is the big Mayu season — the time our customers start thinking about the cold AND about fair trade holiday gifts! Naturally, this is the time we receive all of our shipments (how cool is the box?) from rural Peru. I always get nervous when I open the box. The nature of working with artisans in rural Peru, who are without access to stable electricity and who do not typically use the Internet, makes it quite a challenge to run a business.
And, not surprisingly, sometimes the contents of the box are not always as expected! Today, however, I was very pleased with the shipment. We now have a replenished stock of ruffled alpaca scarves, one of the best hand-knit alpaca scarves on the market. This alpaca scarf is a one-of-a-kind piece and one of our best selling fair trade scarves! We also replenished our collection of alpaca blankets. Creme, chocolate brown, beige and charcoal are now in stock. Purchase you meaningful fair trade holiday gift on our site.
Still interested in the Mayu process of how our alpaca scarves are made and sent from rural Peru to Chicago? Read about our process and meet some of the artisans on the way.
For more on Mayu, find us on Twitter, and Facebook, and hear more stories from the field on our Blog!
Its the time of year again for release of the Fair Trade Federation’s annual holiday gift guide! No more mulling over what you should buy for your family and friends who seem to have it all.
This year, choose a meaningful gift from the wide variety (and price points) of options in the guide. Mayu’s hand-knit alpaca flap hat and infinity scarf are mentioned in the guide. Thanks, Fair Trade Federation for including Mayu’s alpaca clothing and accessories.
See the Fair Trade Federation Holiday Gift Guide.
OK, I’m headed off to work this morning. I’ve got on my alpaca fingerless gloves as well as my infinity scarf. I’m gonna be warm today!
For more on Mayu, find us on Twitter, and Facebook, and hear more stories from the field on our Blog!
Its cold now — looks like that Indian summer in Fall is no longer! So now, its time to shop Mayu’s hand-knit alpaca clothes and accessories. We have beautifully knit alpaca scarves, alpaca hats and alpaca wraps — there is winter fashion for everyone at all price points. We also have a special SALE basket too.
We will be at St. Pats this Sunday, Oct. 23, in Chicago’s downtown loop. There is lots going on at the solidarity market…all sorts of vendors with Fair Trade and sustainably produced products from both abroad and locally produced. Personally, I’m looking forward to all the delicious homemade food options!
Come check us out and pick yourself up a new winter scarf or hat. You are going to want it…
Tell your friends too!
Mayu was recently featured on an affiliate marketing site. The owner asked me for the story behind our best selling alpaca scarf. In this case, I choose one of our all time best sellers, the melange hoodie. Here is what I wrote (and yes, this is me in my hoodie to the left, most likely day dreaming about Peru…):
“Kate here, founder of Mayu. This Fair Trade certified, hand-knit alpaca hoodie is my favorite Mayu product. Let me tell you why…
During my last trip to Peru, I was busy working with Mayu’s artisans to create our new collection. I have a day job so everything I’d done with the group of knitters up until that point had been through the mail. Yup, snail mail. I sent samples to the rural Andean community where they lived and held my breath that they’d arrive. After a 10 hour bus ride from Lima up into the mountains, the designs arrived and the artisans were off to replicate them. When I arrived in Peru to my old Peace Corps stomping grounds, the artisans and I danced the night away to Peruvian Huayno music and got to work bright and early the following morning.
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Welcome Fall with a New Scarf or Hoodie!
My favorite time of year! Unfortunatley I’m not in Peru with Mayu’s artisans, but I’m in Chicago, anxiously awaiting the cool weather. Mayu’s alpaca scarves, hats, gloves, and hoodies, keep your accessorized, stylish and warm. To the right, check out ourmelange hoodie, one of our most popular scarves, in kelly green and beige. I wear the green one and receive a compliment everytime I walk out the door. Its a unique gift idea too. Not Convinced Yet? Learn More from our Product Videos. I had some fun a few weeks ago and decided to show Mayu shoppers a bit more about our products. The short videos for the following products are here: 2 Ways to Win a $25 Gift Card to Mayu
Have a comment or want to review one of our products? Please take a few seconds to add it on any one of our product pages. Then, send us an email and we will enter you in a drawing to win a $25 gift card. Drawing will take place Oct. 24. Also, don’t forget our referral program to receive a $25 gift card when your friends buy Mayu. Both are EASY and QUICK! Select Items on Sale – up to 50% Off We do have a few items on SALE so check those out too. Buy soon, because we don’t have many leftt. Meet our Peruvian Artisans & Learn More about our Business
There is lots of information, videos, photos andmore on our site and blog to learn more about our ethically produced products. Our knitters and our supply chain! Read about them here. |
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Wow, it has been a while! I was busy working in Uganda on a project with Solar Sister, a social enterprise working to empower women through the sale of Solar Lamps. I bought my first Solar Lamp and was camping this past weekend. It sure did come in handy! Uganda was a fabulous experience and there were lots of rustic crafts that I imagined alongside Mayu’s hand-knit, eco-friendly, fair trade alpaca clothes and fair trade gifts. In fact, I picked up just a few, one of my favorite times to shop…
Now that I’m back in action, today is the perfect day to bring attention to Fair Trade as it is WORLD FAIR TRADE DAY! 80+ countries are celebrating and you should too! Besides buying yourself something special (ie: one of Mayu’s fair trade gifts such as alpaca scarves or alpaca throws), how about changing your habits? This year, the challenge is to incorporate Fair Trade into your daily breakfast routine. It is easy…
“We’re not asking for big change,” said Paul Rice, President and CEO of Fair Trade USA,“ just small every day changes—switching a cup of coffee, a banana, a chocolate bar to one that’s Fair Trade Certified—to empower both consumers to make a difference and farmers to improve their lives and plan for a better future. It’s great to wake up every day and know that you’re part of a movement that has the power to change the world.”
For more on Mayu, find us on Twitter, and Facebook, and hear more stories from the field on our Blog!
Recently, the New York Stock Exchange held a special event that Mayu feels is very important! Investors from the United States, Canada, Brazil, Spain, Argentina and Hong Kong packed the Wall Street headquarters for “Peru Day”. Around 200 people attended from all parts of the world to learn more about the newest business opportunities in the country, which is expected to follow the success of Brazil and Chile, becoming one of the business centers in Latin America. Peru has come a long way since the roots of Mayu were founded back in 2003-2005 when I was in the Peace Corps.
During the last decade, Peru has not only sustained stable growth, the countries economy is balanced due to variety of natural resources, policy makers have worked to develop investor friendly legal framework, and it has a fast growing middle class, opening new market opportunities.
Looking for a perspective country to invest your dollars (besides buying Mayu’s hand-knit alpaca scarves, alpaca hats, alpaca throws and more — all knit by Peruvians in the Andes Mountains)? – visit investment promotion agency Proinversion to learn why and how to investin Peru.
For more on Mayu, find us on Twitter, and Facebook, and hear more stories from the field on our Blog!
2010, despite a slow recovery from global economic crisis, was very successful for the Fair Trade industry. Fair Trade USA found Fair Trade product sales growing fast in mainstream supermarkets, not just at specialty and natural grocery stores. Sales of Fair Trade Certified products like Mayu’s hand-knit alpaca hats, alpaca throws and alpaca scarves grew 24% overall during 2010, breaking down as 26% growth in mainstream channels, 22% at specialty grocers and 16% at natural grocers.
Some of the biggest growth was in coffee, which grew 33%. Ready-to-drink tea and coffee was up 39%, which is a result of a new commitment from tea producers. Wouldn’t you like to drink some Fair Trade tea under your Fair Trade alpaca throw? I do it all the time!
More than 700 companies now offer Fair Trade certified products. We are big Fair Trade fans here at Mayu. Visit our online boutique for high-quality, one-of-a-kind, hand-knit alpaca accessories, made from a eco-friendly alpaca fiber. We provide work to women in rural Peru who can practically knit with their eyes closed!
For more on Mayu, find us on Twitter, and Facebook, and hear more stories from the field on our Blog!
