Handycrafts Arequipeña
Arequipa maintains a long tradition of craftsmanship that in the course of recent decades has been strengthening and adapting to the current demand in the form of articles of daily use for decoration or as a souvenir items. In the 
handicraft production of arequipa it flout the development of the leather sector, a tradition that dates back to pre-Hispanic times, taking into consideration the cogotes of flame. During the colony introduces new materials and new techniques, without forgetting the past which expanded their production to other items, such as petacas, zurrones and cordage, which served to supply the commercial circuit south-andino.
It is during the Republic when it develops the shoe industry, led not only to supply the domestic market but al [Artesano tallando en Sillar] so abroad. During the sixties hippy movement gave new impetus to the cottage industry of arequipa leather around the garment belts, bags and wallets sometimes combined with beautiful fabrics alpaca. This kind of craft has also flourished in other Andean areas like Bolivia or Cusco. In the last twenty years an important sector development of the fur on the carpet skin alpaca, with motifs inspired generally in the Andean landscape.
Other popular crafts with a long colonial tradition, which generally has been passed down from generation to generation is that of the decorators cutters restorers, whose main job is the restoration / construction of altars, altarpieces and doors of the churches, as well as frames and furniture.
Effective use of the volcanic rock and the work in sillar originally developed for the construction of buildings both ecclesiastical and civil, for a few years also has led to the production figures, caskets and reproductions of images. Items that are produced for domestic and international markets. At the same time teachers in the sillar are specialists dedicated to the restoration of the facades and interiors of colonial buildings that abound in the region arequipeña. There is also a long tradition in the use of wrought iron objects for common use and decoration, closely linked to the ornamentation of buildings of colonial origin, currently working iron has been led towards the commercialization of lamps, frames for mirrors , chandeliers and other decorative objects.
In the city there are many establishments specializing in the sale of craft items, such as tents and posts in the craft center to be located in the building of Fundo Fierro, in the galleries of the cloisters of the company and the antique shops of St. Catherine Street, where along with old pieces also tend to have good reproductions of archaeological objects and coloniajes facts now sometimes in their own workshops.
