Help
Frequently Asked Questions
How our pieces are made, ordered and delivered. If your question is not here, write to us.
About ANDINA
What is ANDINA?
A textile studio from Buenos Aires. We work with artisan communities in northern Argentina and the Andes to make handwoven rugs, llama throws, bed quilts and cushions for homes around the world, many of them through the interior designers and architects we work with.
Where are you based?
Our studio is in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The artisans we work with are in the north of the country. We ship to clients around the world.
Do you work with interior designers and architects?
Yes, they are most of our clients. Our Trade Program offers trade pricing, samples and one point of contact for each project.
Orders & Lead Times
Is everything made to order?
Almost everything. Most of our pieces are woven when you order them, in the size and colors you choose. We keep a small selection ready to ship; if you need something soon, ask us what is available.
How long does it take?
Lead times are counted from your order to your door, and depend on size and complexity:
Rugs
8–10 weeks
Llama Bed Quilts
5–6 weeks
Llama Cushions
4–5 weeks
Llama Throws
3–4 weeks
I have a tight installation date. Can you help?
Tell us your date when you order. We can often ask the artisans to prioritize a piece, and we can also hold a finished rug and ship it on the date that suits your project.
How do I pay?
Pieces on the website are paid at checkout with any major credit or debit card. Custom orders can also be paid by wire transfer: a 50% deposit confirms the order, and the balance is due when the piece is ready to ship.
Custom Rugs & Samples
Can I order a rug in my own size and colors?
Yes. Most of our rugs are made this way: any of our designs can be woven in the size and palette your room needs.
Can you weave a design of my own?
Yes. Send us your drawing or reference and we will tell you how it can be woven and quote it.
How do I choose colors?
Order our Yarn Samples: wool colors on a card, delivered in a few days. Trade members can also request woven strike-offs.
Shipping & Duties
Do you ship worldwide?
Yes. Every piece travels from Argentina by FedEx air express, door to door, with tracking from the day it leaves our studio until it reaches you.
What does shipping cost?
Nothing extra. Shipping is included in every price, and we cover import duties wherever you are. There are no charges at delivery.
How are pieces packed?
Each piece is folded or rolled with care and wrapped in protective materials before it leaves our studio.
Materials
What are the rugs made of?
Sheep wool, handwoven on looms. Some weaves are 100% wool; our baetón rugs are woven in wool over a fine cotton warp that gives them structure.
What are the llama pieces made of?
Throws and bed quilts are 100% undyed llama fiber. Cushions are undyed llama fiber over a fine cotton warp, with llama on both sides. Llama fiber is never dyed: every shade is the natural color of the animal.
Will my piece look exactly like the photos?
Very close, but not identical. Small variations in tone and texture come from natural fibers and handwork, and are part of what makes each piece unique.
Craft & Sustainability
How sustainable are your textiles?
Every step happens by hand. The fiber is washed in water, without chemicals, then spun, dyed and woven by hand on manual looms. No machines and no electricity are used in production, and most pieces are made only when ordered, so nothing is overproduced.
How are the animals treated?
The sheep and llamas live freely in the highlands, cared for by the same families who weave. Their fleece is obtained by shearing, which does not harm the animal and is part of keeping it healthy.
Are the llama pieces dyed?
Never. Every llama throw, bed quilt and cushion keeps the natural color of the animal. When our wool is dyed, it is dyed by hand, in small batches.
Care
How do I care for my rug?
Vacuum it regularly without the brush, blot spills without rubbing, and have it professionally cleaned every one or two years. Never wash it with water.
Can llama pieces be washed?
Llama throws and bed quilts can be washed by hand in cool water with a mild, neutral soap. Do not wring them: press the water out gently and dry them flat in the shade. Llama cushion covers are dry clean only.
Returns
Can I return or exchange a piece?
Each piece is made to order for you, so we do not take returns or exchanges as a rule. That said, we want you to love your piece: if something is not right, talk to us and we will look for a solution together.
What if my piece arrives damaged?
Write to us within 7 days of delivery with a few photos. We will repair or replace it, at no cost to you.
Still Have a Question?
Write to Us
About a piece, an order or a project. We answer every message personally.
For Design Professionals
Trade Program
Trade pricing, samples and one point of contact for your projects. Trade questions are answered on the program page.