About Us & The Undie Fund

Brenda at work   Studio Hart

I'm Brenda Hart and I started Wanderlust Imports in 1981. It started like many other importing businesses. I traveled to Peru, loved the people, crafts and the food. Now I needed an excuse to return. On my second trip I filled a couple boxes with handicrafts to sell at home to friends at Christmas. But then what? Twenty seven years later, I sometimes ask myself that same question.

Several years ago, the pottery/ home d'core part of Wanderlust was turned over to another importer, but I remained the buyer. I wanted to pursue another passion as a painter. However, I retained the jewelry portion of Wanderlust and several years ago started working with artisans to produce a line of hand painted jewelry. It worked out well. I started with some very talented
painters and after a year of producing  traditional motifs, we expanded into our nature designs.

Wanderlust Jewelry

 It is truly a joint effort between myself
(AKA Studio Hart) and the twenty or so artisans working with me today. I design many of the non traditional painted earrings, like animals, birds and flowers and spend time with the artisans on product development. I also am responsible for ordering the beads, findings, and sometimes
special paints and getting them to the artisans.
Both the artisans and I are looking forward to
 growth and sustained employment in the future.

The Undie Fund

Undie Fund in Lima   2008

Every trip to Peru, I try to take down several suitcases full of childrens' clothes. Last year I started the Undie Fund. Silly name, I know. I asked several friends to contribute so I could buy underwear in Peru to go with the clothes I was taking down. Long story short we ended with enough money in several days to buy undies, socks and much needed shoes for 68 children, plus clothes for over 100. In 2008 we passed out the clothes to the children of a group of Shipibo Indian families, living in central Lima.

Many who donated were thrilled to receive photos from The Undie Fund and asked if they could do it again on the next trip.It really got me excited because I had an idea for a project for this group.

                    
                         Undie Fund 2009

		This year our Undie Fund grew to over 45 donees. We raised over $1200 and were able to buy shoes, socks and Undies for the children in the whole village of Perka. In all there were 85 children, 12 and under. We had enough money to also buy sweaters for the "abuelitos", grandparents. And school supplies
Farming village of Perka,  at a           breathtaking 13,500 feet.	Sunday morning everyone lines up          to be measured.	Some of the little ones were a bit reluctant                              to  be measured.
Next Sunday, the village leader Julian gathers everyone to get the goodie bags.	My friend Florentino gave out the shoes and undies, while his wife Claudia and I passed out clothes.	Some of the little girls in their new shoes.                 Somebody doesn't look so happy in the back.
One of the "abuelitas' in her new sweater.	The older kids received school shoes as per requested by the moms.	I am sure he can stand up on his own.
One happy group of boys!	Happy Camper!                 This was the first new pair of shoes, for some of the kids.	Helpers and organizers from left to right.         Claudia-Brenda-Florentino-Julian                            Project Completed!

Inside one of the Shibipo homes

UNDIE FUND 2008  We arrived Sunday morning, before anyone was out and about.

Two of the ladies brought their children out for a picture. The little girl was wearing my favorite dress

Turns out we weren't quite as organized          as I thought. I already have a better plan          for next time.	Here I am measuring one of the little    boys, with Omar writing down the details.	Gabriel (engineer and artisan)    made this wooden foot measurer,     just like they have in shoe stores!                   Ingenious!