ABOUT

Building community across the world.

Our Mission

Our mission is to empower South American artisans by providing them with a platform to showcase their skills and generate sustainable income. We believe in the power of handcrafts to connect people and promote cultural diversity.

Our vision

Our goal is to become the top online platform for South American handcrafted objects, supporting global cultural exchange and sustainable development by linking artisans with appreciative consumers throughout the world.

Meet Some of our Artisans

Catalina

Catalina from Tarapacá, Chile Hola, I am Catalina, and I work creating textiles. I am part of a group of women called Suma Sawuta from Tarapacá, Chile. I learned to spin alpaca wool when I was just 8 years old, and soon after, I began to weave, transforming threads into textiles rich with meaning and memory. I make my outfits for the patron saint festivals and garments for the public, bringing textures, colors, and stories of my culture to everyday life. My ancestors taught me these methods and skills, and I passed them on to the next generation to ensure that these customs are preserved.

Claudio

Goldsmith in Mapuche Jewelry, Santiago. My journey as an artisan began at age 15, when a neighbor opened the doors of his workshop to me. There I had the opportunity to participate in several processes and discover the world of handcrafting. That first experience awakened a passion in me that has never stopped growing.At 22, I began further training in various workshops, where I learned techniques and traditions that allowed me to develop my craft with greater dedication. Little by little, I became more familiar with Mapuche jewelry, an artistic expression that today is at the heart of my work.Each piece I create carries the spirit of that heritage, forged with respect, love, and commitment. My goal is for each piece of jewelry to speak of the land, the memory, and the strength of a people who live on in art..

Sonia

From the forests of San Juan de la Costa, Sonia, a Williche artisan, handweaves baskets and homewares using voqui fuco, a native climbing vine. She learned this ancestral craft at 16, guided by her husband, and has practiced it ever since. Each piece begins in the forest, where Sonia and her family harvest the vine. After a 15-day process of curing with fire and water, the fibers are hand-sanded and woven with care and purpose. “Each piece has its own time,” says Sonia. Rooted in tradition and identity, Sonia’s work honors her community, Paillan Antu, and reflects the beauty of southern Chile.“Being Williche is a source of pride. Sharing what we create is part of my dream.”

Our Founders

Meet the Founders

About Us

Andes Ancestral is a new collaboration between cousins
Claudia Vargas-Gerst and Marcela Ortega, both originally from Santiago, Chile.
Raised in a family that deeply values gratitude, humility, and unconditional
love. Their bond, shaped by shared
family traditions, now fuels a business grounded in respect for culture,
reverence for nature, and a commitment to integrity in every relationship.
Together, they have created Andes Ancestral with the mission to honor both
their heritage and the artisans they work with.

Now living in the U.S., Claudia leads the brand’s operations
and outreach stateside, while Marcela remains in Chile, working closely with
artisans and managing relationships on the ground. Their shared appreciation
for Chile’s craftsmanship, with a rich artistic heritage, inspired them to
create this online space.

The two founders dreamed of fostering economic growth for
small-scale craftsperson, embracing the opportunity to stabilize families,
communities, and ecosystems and boost cultural pride. They began by seeking out
little-known local artisans working with sustainable materials. In the process
of familiarizing themselves with hand-craft production techniques, they
developed a closeness with their vendors and a deep understanding of the
intensive skills and labor involved. Striking a balance between quality and
affordability produced a collection of clothing, jewelry, and housewares marked
by elegance, value, and versatility.

Andes Ancestral
seeks to share the visual poetry of exceptional, time-honored goods

"crafted by hands and driven by hearts".

FAQS

What is Andes Ancestral all about?

We're a handmade collective founded by cousins Claudia Vargas-Gerst and Marcela Ortega. Our mission is to bring the beauty of Chilean craftsmanship to the U.S., with thoughtfully curated clothing, jewelry, and home goods made by local artisans using sustainable materials.

Where do your products come from?

Everything in our shop is made in Chile by talented artisans who use traditional techniques and local materials. Each piece tells a story and supports a real person and community.

Do you offer returns or exchanges?

Yes! If you're not totally happy with your purchase, we accept returns or exchanges within 30 days of delivery. Just make sure the item is unused and in its original condition. Check our full return policy for more details.

Do you offer international shipping?

Currently, we ship within the United States. We’re working to expand our shipping options soon—sign up for our newsletter to be the first to know!