Moore Stories: Andrea of Alli Tuta

Its a cold November morning and I'm standing on Moore Street. It’s my first day working on the market and a lot of things are on my mind; the traders names, how to setup the gazebos and how will I ever get all the decorations up in time before the market opens. It wasn’t long before the beads grabbed my eye….

Andrea of Alli Tutta, regular trader at Moore Street Market

The traders are arriving and setting up all their stalls; there are lots of people, lots of boxes with hidden treasure and lots of chatter. Trolleys full of fruit are clattering over the cobbled stones up and down the street. I start to walk to each table chatting to each trader as I pass.

Eventually I come across Andrea and Ruairí, she is from Ecuador and he is from Ireland and they both live on Moore Street. The two of them are smiling away, ‘We’re delighted to be trading on Moore Street for the first time’. Andrea is unpacking her crafts as Ruairí lifts the pile of Christmas decorations out of my arms and says ‘ Don’t worry, we’ll hang those’. A great bit of relief for me as I’m worrying about all the things to do, I potter on.

A while later when Christmas at Moore Street is open for the day I stop by the stalls again. Everyone’s crafts are now unpacked and neatly laid out in various ways. Wandering up and down I am stopped in my tracks by Alli Tuta. Handcrafted beadwork like I’ve never seen in my life, crafted so intricately it speaks of an almost lost craft and not one you would usually find in Dublin. The beautiful indigenous beads caught my eye, in a world of short attention spans I find myself gazing at the beads mesmerised by the gorgeous traditional patterns and colours. This jewelry is not something you see everyday...

As the weeks move on Andrea is on Moore Street every week selling the crafts, as one of our most regular new traders we decided to ask her all about Alli Tuta. So lets hear Moore of her story!!

Tell us a bit about yourselves

Hi, my name is Andrea and I’m from Ecuador, I’m currently working on my PHD from the University of Valencia and now I’m learning different skills to help me grow my business. Alli Tuta works to support Ecuadorian culture by buying handicrafts produced by local and indigenous artisans at a fair price in different towns and communities throughout Ecuador. Ecuador is a multicultural and multiethnic country where you can find a wide variety of handicrafts made with different materials according to the area. The techniques used for the fabrication of many of these handicrafts are inherited from generation to generation, inspired by ancestral knowledge and the beauty of our land. By supporting the local and indigenous talented artisans, we can help to maintain traditions alive.

What inspired you to start Alli Tuta?

Having an indigenous-black background, I recognize the value of keeping traditions and culture against social and economic pressures. In most cases, when families from native communities move to live in cities looking for a better future, there is a gap in social heritage. During the COVID lockdown, while I was living in Spain, I learned of indigenous artisans from Saraguro, who were struggling to trade their handicrafts in the nearby city due to the mobility restrictions. Because of this, I contacted a friend who went to meet them and helped me buy some jewelry and handmade face masks, which I then sent to Spain. I started selling to close friends until I moved to Dublin to live with my boyfriend, where I had the opportunity to be part of the Moore Street Market.

What challenges have you faced in setting up your business?

Since my business started, I have faced economic problems due to not having enough financial resources to acquire the handicrafts. Additionally, I experienced logistical problems in sending the products to Spain and now to Ireland. While the logistics improved a bit in the last year, the cost of import remains quite high. Another challenge I am facing is selling online and managing social media for my business. To address this, I started an online course in digital marketing, and my boyfriend is supporting me in developing the website. I hope to see my business grow significantly after launching the website. In that way, I can support more artisans in more communities throughout Ecuador and showcase their beautiful handicrafts to a wider audience.

What brought you to Moore Street Markets?

We live beside Moore Street and also do our shopping in the market. After the first new market for Culture Night in 2022, my boyfriend asked if they were looking for more traders. The next market, for Halloween the same year, was my first market experience, and I have been participating in every market since then. I hope that the addition of new stalls with handmade products and food trucks to the Moore Street market will attract more people and families and help them appreciate the value of this traditional market. Since my first day at the market, I have met people who have told me how delighted they are to see the market become more lively, and how amazing it would be to have the new stalls permanently.

How are you enjoying being a part of the Moore’s family?

First of all, I am delighted to be part of the historic Moore Street Market, which is located in an area that is so relevant to Irish history. Being part of the revitalization of Moore Street is incredible, and it is an honor to be part of such a significant cultural landmark. I enjoy sharing the culture of my country with others, and it makes me so happy to see the fascination and acceptance from the people who pass by the market. It's great to see that people are interested in learning about Ecuadorian culture and the beautiful handicrafts that we produce. Being part of the market has also given me the opportunity to meet other traders and learn from them, which has been an enriching experience.

What is your favourite thing about trading here on Moore Street?

The part I enjoy the most is the friendships I have made, like with Loraine, whose family has been selling on Moore Street for over 100 years trading fresh fruits and vegetables at the market. It's been great to get to know other traders at the market and share their experiences trading and their histories. I also enjoy chatting with the many interesting people who visit the market, and I love sharing stories about Ecuadorian culture and the history behind the beautiful handicrafts that the artisans do. It's great to see that people are interested in learning about my country and our traditions. Being part of the market has given me the opportunity to make new friends, learn new skills, and share my passion for our handicrafts and culture.