Caterpillar - Bright Organic Cotton Finger Puppet

Caterpillar

MSRP $8.75  wholesale
SKU: UKP205B
In stock 35
Quantity (case of 1):

Our Story

In 1998 as an American-Peruvian team we had a crazy idea: what if we could share the best of Peruvian craftsmanship with the world and create opportunities for top artists while having fun? Don as web expert and Alessandra as visual designer brought the perfect combination of creativity and expertise to get Lucuma Designs started! Today you may find our handmade gifts in over 500 specialty and fair trade shops, museums, botanical gardens, nature centers and boutiques in North America and few other places around the world. We hope you will find them inspiring. Don & Alessandra, Co-founders

Our Mission

Lucuma Designs promotes superb artists from Peru and Costa Rica. Inspired by our love for nature, our collections come to life through collaborative design, sustainability, fine craftsmanship and authenticity.

Through fair trade, our handmade gifts and traditional folk art become tools that connect, uplift, inspire, spark change and bring hope. Together we are creating a more compassionate and beautiful world.

Lucuma Designs has been a proud member of the Fair Trade Federation since 1999 and One Percent for the Planet since 2018.

Facts

  • Spread Beauty & Cheer: because the world could always use a little more beauty, our Five Beauty Pillars guide our work.
  • Our Artists: are organized in 20 family run workshops and cooperatives throughout Peru. Find out more about our artists and craft traditions.
  • Women: Of the 300+ artists and crafters we reach, over 80% are women. Their work empowers them to have a stronger voice within their households and communities.
  • The Lucuma Fruit: “Lucuma” is a tasty Peruvian fruit, with a bright orange-yellow pulp that mirrors the vibrancy of our collections and of Peruvian Folk Art.
  • Fair Trade: in 1998, the term “Fair Trade” was unknown to us, until we discovered the "Fair Trade Federation" several months after launching. In 1999, we were thrilled to join this network of like-minded businesses doing similar work and with whom we could share and learn from our combined experience. Find out more about our Fair Trade commitment.
  • Retail Partners: Our collections reach consumers on the shelves of 500+ specialty gift shops, museums, fair trade stores, botanic gardens and nature centers, and select craft galleries and boutiques across the US and abroad. If there is not a retail shop in your area you can go to our retail site.
  • Custom Made: Working hand in hand creatively with our artist partners allows us to offer you personalized and custom made products. Our artists are usually thrilled to please and make your wishes come true, so just ask!
  • At Your Service: expect from our team personalized customer service, quick turn around, selling aids to help you tell our artists' stories, easy returns and an almost risk-free exchange policy!
Every butterfly has to start somewhere. This Caterpillar Finger Puppet brings a little wonder to stories about growing, changing and all the possibilities still to come. Sometimes the biggest discoveries are the tiny wonders waiting just outside the door. Hand-knitted by women artisans in Peru using 100% organic cotton yarn, our Garden Finger Puppets celebrate the insects, birds, and small creatures that help gardens bloom and ecosystems thrive.

These tiny companions invite children to explore nature with curiosity while encouraging storytelling, imaginative role play, and a lasting appreciation for the living world around them.

A natural fit for garden centers, museum gift shops, children’s boutiques, bookstores, nature centers, and specialty retailers celebrating the outdoors. They also make charming little gifts for young gardeners, nature lovers, classroom activities, party favors, and seasonal displays.

Pocket-sized, lightweight, and easy to merchandise, each puppet has its own handmade character. Colors and details may vary slightly, making every piece unique.

Recommended for children ages 3+. Price is per finger puppet.

Important Notice for EU Stores: These handcrafted toys are made in small batches and do not carry the CE mark. As such, they cannot be sold in regions requiring this certification.

Why We Choose Organic Cotton

We believe toys should bring joy to children while leaving a lighter footprint on the Earth. That’s why we choose organic cotton yarn. It’s one of the best solutions we’ve found for making natural toys while supporting farming practices that are gentler on nature.

Organic farming helps reduce reliance on synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, while supporting healthier soils, biodiversity, and cleaner waterways. That can make a difference not only for the land, but also for the farming communities and ecosystems connected to it.

From the farmers who grow the cotton, to the women who knit each finger puppet, to the children who bring them to life through play, organic cotton is a choice we can feel good about.

Why Finger Puppets Matter

Children often find it easier to share thoughts and feelings through a character than to speak directly as themselves. A tiny puppet can become a brave explorer, a worried rabbit, a silly monkey or a caring friend, giving children a safe, playful way to imagine, communicate and connect. At home, in the classroom or in the hands of therapists and educators, finger puppets help open the door to conversation, storytelling and creative expression in a way that feels natural, comfortable and fun.

Meet the Women Knitters

In the Andes of Peru, near the shores of Lake Titicaca, knitting is a tradition passed down through generations. Mothers have long knitted warm clothing and small toys for their children.

Today, women artisans hand-knit each tiny finger puppet using a traditional three-needle technique. Their exceptional craftsmanship provides flexible work they can do from home while caring for their families.

No two hands knit quite the same way. Each woman knitter brings her own skill, creativity, and personal touch, making every playful puppet unique while carrying forward a treasured knitting tradition.