H.J. Ruiz – Avian101

Years ago in one of my trips to Lima, Peru. I bought some souvenirs made by people from the Andes. This woman selling  handmade trinkets to tourists near a beautiful park, she offer me some small bead bracelets she had for sale. I wasn’t interested. Just by curiosity I asked her what else did she have? Then she reluctantly pulled  a smaller bag with what she described hand work from her husband that workes in the mines, he picks up pieces of different minerals he finds and then he makes souvenirs during his off days in order to have an extra income, support for his family.

I saw what they were and I was quite surprised by the craftsmanship and artistic little sculptures.

They’re beautiful figures of birds made of several different minerals.

The wooden parts I added for display purposes (3”x 3”)

Aren’t they lovely? I have a habit to keep mementos from places I visit. These were birds, by pure coincidence. Isn’t it ironic?

“Seems like birds were always part of my life, without me being aware of it!”

Text and photographs © H.J.Ruiz – Avian 101