Category Archives: Weaving

Chila Bags

February 25, 2021 12:03 AM \

The Wayúu (aka Wayu) people inhabit the arid Guajira Peninsula straddling the Venezuela-Colombia border, on the Caribbean Sea coast. Weaving and crocheting make up a large part of their daily life, especially for women.  The tribe produces millions of high-quality artisan products every year playing a vital role in the local economy. They are mostly known for their woven Wayuu bags.  

Found this beautiful collection of bags from Chila Bags, Japan.  “Chila Bags” not only pays legitimate wages, but also provides livelihood support for the contracted ethnic groups.  Bags are an important source of income for the Wayuu people with large families. Purchasing bags packed with great traditions and techniques helps to protect their lifestyle. And Chila Bags ship internationally.

You can find Chila Bags on their website, Facebook and Instagram.

Images:  Courtesy of Chila Bags.

Posted in: Fair Trade, Handcrafted, Japan, Weaving \ Tagged: , , ,

Joki

May 18, 2020 12:03 AM \

We found these items on Japanese marketplace, Iichi.  They are a marketplace for handicrafts and small-scale manufacturing.  This particular shop, Joki, sells hand-woven cloth that has been firmly woven using the traditional weaving method called overshot.  The creator Miyoko Kirigaya sells her wares under the brand name, Joki, a Finnish word for river.  The artisan graduated from Joshibi University of Art and Design and was a textile designer for seven years before raising her children.

More of her work can be found on her website and on Instagram.  Her products are sold here in Iichi.

Images:  Courtesy of Joki.

Posted in: Accoutrements, Japan, Weaving \ Tagged: , ,

Tammy Kanat

April 1, 2020 12:03 AM \

Tammy Kanat is a Melbourne-based artist whose recent work has focused on tapestries woven around an oval-shaped copper frame. These large-scale textile art are inspired by nature, fashion, architecture, objects and other creatives. Each stunning wall hanging is made from hand-woven plush yarns and chunky wool of various thicknesses.  On Color Me Quirky blog she gives this advice to freelancers:

“I was told this story and I would give this advice to all artisans. My friend travelled to the other side of the world to see a famous musician. He came out to sing and play his beautiful instrument however he was very sick with the flu, he played to the crowd and his music was exceptional. At the end of the performance a crowd member thanked him for making the effort to come and sing for everyone even though he was so unwell. The singer looked at the man in the audience totally confused and he said to him. I do not come out on the stage to sing for you I come out on this stage to sing for myself because it makes me feel good and happy. I would say to any artist don’t lose touch with why you originally embarked on your artistic journey! It is great if others can appreciate it but at the core your best work is when you stay true to yourself.”  

You can follow the artist on her website and on Facebook.

Images:  Courtesy of Tammy Kanat.

Posted in: Textile, Weaving \ Tagged: ,
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