I love to travel and to bring home some of the world in my suitcase. Shopping for Tikanchay, I'm bringing back more than Peruvian handcrafted jewelry.

There's a story behind every piece; a bit of Peruvian history or folklore, a new appreciation of a traditional craft or material, a keener sense of purpose from talking to an artisan.

A huge part of my heart is in Peru, and I have a strong sense of commitment to helping the people. With each trip, I learn more about their rich and varied cultural traditions; traditions that survive in spite of an often tragic history facing modern challenges.

After 25 years of traveling back and forth between the U.S. and Peru, I've forged strong ties with many people there who will be part of these stories as Tikanchay grows its collection of Peruvian jewelry.

I have been wearing Peruvian jewelry since my honeymoon. Now I can't wait to share with friends, family, and customers the handcrafted jewelry treasures I've found on each trip