“Everything happens for a reason.” “Nothing is a coincidence.” “Everything is connected.” I really don’t like platitudes such as these (even if they are somewhat true), but sometimes they just seem to fit. Back in April, my son Day, the biologist, was in Belize searching for a particular species of turtle, the seriously endangered hicatee. […]
14
Dec
Dec
“Giving is, first and every time, hand to hand, Mine to yours, yours to mine.” Alberto Ríos Catarina spins with a touch that turns clouds into thread. Photo by Joe Coca from the book Traditional Weavers of Guatemala. It’s the gift-giving, and gift-finding, season. Enjoy the bounty of gifts so vivid in each of these […]
04
May
May
Around the world, especially here in the U.S., folks are donning sombreros and sipping margaritas in honor of Cinco de Mayo. While the world celebrates the 1862 victory of Mexico over French forces at the Battle of Puebla, oddly enough, it’s a little-celebrated event in Mexico itself. So on this fifth of May, we’ve decided […]
06
Oct
Oct
This week’s post is crafted by Joshua Hirschstein and Maren Beck, authors of our brand new book Silk Weaver’s of Hill Tribe Laos. They offer a special view into the world of Lao weaving and ask some hard questions about the future of traditional textiles. Thanks, Josh and Maren! Upon walking into a hill tribe […]
15
Sep
Sep
Our good friend, and Thrums Books author, Deborah Chandler has been visiting us for the last few days. Last night she wrote down a few words about her life in the world of Thrums. Thanks, Deborah! Tonight, I am especially conscious of how lucky/blessed I am, aware of being part of the extended family of […]
08
Sep
Sep
The 19th International Latino Book Awards ceremony is happening tonight at the California State University campus at Dominguez Hills. Edward James Olmos will be the emcee honoring more than 200 award-winning authors in what’s been dubbed “The Academy Awards of Latino Literature & Culture.” So we’re thrilled that Thrums Books’ authors Deborah Chandler and Teresa […]
15
Jul
Jul
Friends assume that I love to go to the International Folk Art Market each year because of the shopping. It is a market, after all, and world’s largest folk art festival. I do love looking at all that fibery goodness on offer from around the world. But it’s not the what, it’s the who that keeps me […]
14
Apr
Apr
Exactly one year ago, after learning that two Thrums Books publications had won Benjamin Franklin Book Awards given by the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), I wrote, “It’s an honor, and fun, to have the fancy gold and silver stickers and the nifty crystal trophies. But it is the richness of our connection to the artisans whose stories we […]
03
Mar
Mar
Textile Fiestas of Mexico author Sheri Brautigam writes to us while shopping at some of her favorite markets, on-the-road, in Mexico: Besides the exciting festivals and ferias of Mexico, there are wonderful local markets to experience every week, so don’t miss out. Back in Mexico this winter I visited two that have become my favorites […]
17
Feb
Feb
Craft Chores I call my mom, affectionately, “The Closer.” Over the last several years she’s been the recipient of this friend’s or that’s unfinished craft project. Sometimes the assignment is from a friend who has passed away (not to be morbid, but at 86, these things happen), whose children want their mom’s handiwork finished but […]
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