I am so pleased today to introduce the online store of an entrepreneur friend of mine, a fellow unschooler named Miro. We've interviewed Miro and his mom Lainie, about their site, Raising Miro, which focuses on global education and travel. What impresses me to no end about Miro is his joie de vivre, his insouciance at being a global teen, his entrepreneurial spirit, and his sense of humor. Without further ado, I present Miro talking about his newest venture: Miro's Fair Trade Artisan Store Peru.

Hello! My name is Miro and I have started a fair trade store based in Cusco, Peru. In Peru, we have so many fantastic crafts with a large amount of colors and culture, and we're sharing artisanal goods with you, the viewer!

But first I want to write about the family we work with. They're great people and this store wouldn't be possible without their help. They sell a wide variety of items here, and we're helping to expand their market; to help get their creativity to customers it wouldn't reach otherwise.

The Andean family lives in Cusco, and the extended family has about thirty people. We met them within the first week here, when we were looking for an alpaca sweater to stay warm during the nights. They were the most helpful people we had come across thus far. They have a small enterprise, containing thirty people, all family, three generations. They have a single store here in Cusco.

The wool they use for the crafts comes from Arequipa, a neighboring town in the Andes, and is then promptly made into a sweater. The sweater, (Handmade) takes about five days to create, but the quality and time invested speaks for itself.  Gregoria Changy, our contact with the family, has been working in the business since it started, which was thirty years ago. She started work when she was fourteen years old. She speaks Quechua and some Spanish.

Above I stated that they sell a wide variety of items. Below are my favorite ten! (Please note that most, if not all items below are made from alpaca wool.)

10. Mantera

A Mantera is a traditional Andean hat that the locals wear to keep the sun off of their face. It is very precisely woven hat, as the top is completely covered in embroidery and patterns. Comes in many colors.

9. Poncho

It's like a blanket with a hole in it. You wear it like a blanket. It keeps you warm like a blanket. What's the difference? I'll tell you what the difference is: It's stylish. Plus it makes you feel like John Wayne, which is an added bonus. (Six shooter not included)

8. Custom Hoodie

A light custom alpaca hoodie. It's incredibly soft and warm while staying light. And this one has a hood. Perfect for any casual event.  And did I mention it was light? The colors and patterns are custom, and it comes in four different sizes.

7. Sweater

See above, except this one has no hood. It's really light.

6. Arm Warmers

Arm warmers to keep your arms warm. They're pretty fashionable - and my goodness they're soft! Your arms will never go cold once these are on. (unless it is beneath 30°F, in which case you should actually be wearing a jacket. You crazy)

5. Manta (Antique and new)

Mantas are slings that the locals use to carry goods, such as potatoes or babies. Often sewn with many details, the mantas are astonishingly beautiful, and have many uses such as: table cloths, wall adornments, or even slings if you have things to haul!

4. Pillow cases

Make your living room more colorful with these pillow cases! Recycled from old mantas and rugs, these pillow cases have beautiful patterns.  Comes in many colors. The dimensions are 13.5 x 13.5 inches.

3. Rug

A nice thick rug to keep your house warm, both literally and figuratively. Comes in many variations and sizes, and unique patterns. And no, this one doesn't fly.

2. Balls o' Yarn (Alpaca)

In case you wanted to make your own goods. The possibilities are endless!

1. Custom Hat, Scarf, Glove set (Alpaca)

A combo of everything you need. Your whole life has been building up to this moment.

Miro's Fair Trade Artisan Store Peru: http://mirosstore.raisingmiro.com/