SALE-UNIQUE Southern Laos HANDMADE HANDCRAFTS
October 10, 2008
While viewing the many photos on INDIGO THREADS’ web site, you have seen the exquisite handcrafts made by Southern Laos villagers. These intricate, hand made, one of a kind, functional items are used in their everyday lives. We would like to offer you the opportunity to purchase their unique crafts. Your purchases have a two fold benefit. First, they support INDIGO THREADS Laos Education Programs. Second, they provide an income for the crafts people. Each handcrafted piece is hand selected and quantities are limited.
HANDWOVEN KATU ETHNIC TEMPLE SCARF-Women wear a scarf crossed from one shoulder over their chest for Buddhist temple ceremonies. In rural areas, the design designates tribal heritage. These Katu ethnic scarves are handwoven on a back strap loom with small glass beads woven into the textile. These unusual intricate weavings take more then one month to complete.
Sizes: Varied from 9 in. to 14 in wide; 54 in. to 58 in. long
Material: Cotton yarn; glass beads
Color: Strong varied colors with white beads; no two are alike (sample photo)
Design: Traditional Katu EthnicTribal designs
Cost: $53.00 to $83.00 plus shipping and handling
HANDWOVEN IKAT SILK TEXTILES-These handwoven, hand dyed silk textiles are woven on well cared for wooden horizontal traditional looms passed down through generations. This exquisite silk fabric is the exact size needed for women to make a traditional ‘sin’, a long wrap around type skirt. Completing the ’sin’, an additional complimentary intricately woven 4 inch band is added to the bottom (not available). These beautiful ’sins’ are worn only for special occasions.
Size: Approximately 1 ½ yd. long x 30 in. wide
Material: Silk
Color: Strong varied colors; no two are alike (sample photo)
Design: Varied Ikat patterns; many choices
Cost: $33.00 plus shipping and handling
-These beautiful handmade utilitarian bamboo baskets are used for gathering vegetables, throwing seed or just about anything rural people need to carry. After walking miles into the forest to find the correct type of bamboo and rattan (top and bottom are finished with rattan), the bamboo is carefully split into fine strips Completing the labor intensive bamboo preparation, the weavers nimble fingers manipulate the fine strips of bamboo into these exquisite finely woven baskets. Basket weaving is becoming a lost art as young people find it too difficult to learn. These bamboo baskets are made by the 4 remaining ‘old timers’ in one of Indigo Threads assisted villages.
Size: Varied sizes from 7 in. to 12 in high; 6 in. to 8 in. wide
Material: Bamboo with rattan lip and base
Color: Natural
Design: Sample photo; no two are alike
Cost: $28.00 plus shipping and handling
The photos shown represent a small sample of varied designs and colors. As all items are handmade one of a kind, sizes and measurements vary slightly. For more information and to order email, Shelly krantzdech@earthlink.net
INDIGO THREADS thanks you for your support and
your appreciation of Southern Laos crafts.
Photos by Shelly
Posted by Mary D. Meyer, President/Director mdmeyer@indigothreads.org
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