Almost 36 years ago, National Geographic magazine published an issue with Steve McCurry’s photo of a young Afghan woman on the cover. Her intense green eyes were so unexpected, and her expression so loaded with hard-to-read emotion, that the photograph has become iconic. Just google “afghan girl” and there she is, after all this time. […]
14
Feb
Feb
It was a chance encounter, my first meeting with Wang Jun. Joe Coca and I were in Guizhou Province, China, with a potential author, checking the area out for a couple of weeks. Wang Jun was our translator. That book didn’t work out, but in the course of our travels, we became enchanted with the […]
07
Dec
Dec
We’re very proud of the books we publish, but we also like to highlight other good books from the world of textiles. Traditional Weavers of Guatemala author Deborah Chandler wrote to us about a new book that explores textile techniques around the world, Threads around the World: From Arabian Weaving to Batik in Zimbabwe. It’s written […]
23
Nov
Nov
More than ten years ago, in partnership with Nilda Callanaupa Alvarez and the Center for Traditional Textiles of Cusco, we published our first book Weaving in the Peruvian Highlands. During the last decade we’ve published 15 more books exploring textile traditions from around the world. We’ve brought to life the life stories of textile artisans who […]
07
Sep
Sep
Linda returned this week from further adventures in Mexico, another book in the offing. When you’ve been to a place so many times, you amass quite a collection of stories (and huipils!). Here’s an oldie but a goody from Linda’s travels in Chiapas. Enjoy! —Karen Handmade in Chiapas, Mexico As Maya huipils go, those […]
10
Aug
Aug
I’ve been to some fascinating parts of the world in pursuit of indigenous textiles and artisans. Traveling to Bolivia, Peru, Guatemala, Mexico, India, Laos, Afghanistan, China—seeking out people and far flung places where traditions are maintained and sometimes crafting a book to tell the stories—has been a joy and a privilege. But I had to […]
27
Jul
Jul
One of the biggest concerns, for those of us who love and work with indigenous textiles from around the world, is “Who will carry on the traditions?” It’s complicated. Young people once learned from their elders, stayed in their home villages, got a sixth-grade education at most, married young, and spun and wove for the […]
29
Jun
Jun
Another wonderful experience at the Weave a Real Peace conference earlier this month was the opportunity to meet kindred spirits. Aaron Burmeister is one of those people. He welcomed us to Decorah with warmth and affable cheer. He contributed significantly to the meeting by organizing our Seed Savers tour and sharing a meaningful presentation about […]
18
May
May
Author Susan Schaefer Davis clues us in on what’s been happening since the publication of her new book Women Artisans of Morocco: Their Stories, Their Lives. It’s been an exciting time since my book Women Artisans of Morocco came out April 15. I’ve heard from lots of old friends—and am finally beginning to realize that […]
23
Mar
Mar
“Fadma Wadal is a feisty old woman—my favorite kind—and a great storyteller,” writes Susan Schaefer Davis, introducing the first of many artisans in her new book Women Artisans of Morocco: Their Stories, Their Lives. She goes on to tell the story of Fadma who remembers spinning with wool stolen from the underbellies of sheep that […]
