I heart

I heart these handmade rope goodies from Doug Johnston. I saw them on Design*Sponge yesterday and am here to profess my love today. So, so good.

Makaua

And, we're back...First trade show down and now the real work starts getting production started for orders ready to ship out to 20 new shops this Spring! NYIGF was SUCH a whirlwind but I'm beyond thrilled with everyone's response to our new collection. Can't wait to show it off soon!

My favorite booth in NYIGF Handmade was a basket company from Mexico called Makaua. The palm baskets, floor cushions, placemats, and bags are stunning in person. They are clean, subtle, and extremely well made. I heard a lot of folks at the show talking about Makaua...I think they're going to do very well :)

Mali: Part Two

Beads, lots and lots of beads. Scoured the markets for all of the hot pink ones which will be coming home with me and available in the Proud Mary Market soon!

Leather pouf by the Tuareg tribe of the Sahara Desert/Sahel regions of Africa. The Tuareg's migrate North and South from Libya/Algeria down to Mali, Cameroon, and Niger. They also make really beautiful Silver and Ebony jewelry.

Wooden carved animals and creepy/cool horse puppets from Segou.

Yummy baskets in the market in Segou.

Stunning Fulani, nomadic tribe of the Sahel region of Africa which travel East and West following the rains, fabric. The colors and fringe are perfect. I'm bringing home a big one to make into pillows for the Market...stay tuned!
Ornate, Tuareg leather camel bag with a beautiful mint green and multi-colored leather fringe.
Gorgeous cotton shirt made by Dogon people in Northern Mali. The metal embroidery looks so cool in person (and there are pom poms...enough said)!

I don't think there is any greater joy than picking through a market, bartering on jewelry and textiles, and discovering a piece of fabric that makes you want to shout from the rooftops. Yes, I really like a good market and Malian Marche's did not disappoint!

Modern Macrame

This 'Modern Macrame' by designer Sally England is the coolest. I want/need those drapes bad and I do believe the gorgeous bench in the top image was created by my good friend (and co-founder of Proud Mary), Molly.

Part Time Studios Shop

I participated in a show earlier this month in Philadelphia at Part Time Studios called 'By the Yard'. The show consisted of 25 female artists creating fabrics, trims, and anything else that could be sold by the yard. You can now shop some of the goods from the show...I'm loving the floral trim by Emily Isabella.

Mayiet

Maiyet is "pioneering a new luxury brand celebrating the rare and unexpected". They are currently working in India, Colombia, Kenya, and South Africa and just launched their debut collection at Paris fashion week. The company was started by Paul Van Zyl, a South Africa human rights lawyer and winner of a Skoll social entrepreneurship award and Kristy Caylor formerly from Band of Outsiders and and Gap. The two realize that a successful and sustainable path encourages business and preservations of culture. After much traveling and research Paul decided that the best way to facilitate growth within the developing world would be through a luxury brand "that sourced from and forged deep partnerships with master craftsmen in developing countries. We agree and welcome this beautiful new collection to the ethical fashion world!

Boucherouite

My newest obsession are Boucherouite rugs. These Moroccan "rag rugs" are handmade by Berber women using scrap pieces of wool, cotton, nylon, plastic, and synthetic fibers...basically anything they can find. Quite resourceful and beautiful! (Top two images from Caravane, Bottom two images from Beldi)

Folk Art Favorites

"International Folk Artists Preserve Cultures and Create Opportunities" and make beautiful things!

Palestinian Pottery.

Pleated skirt from China. Photo does not do this piece justice. It's stunning!

Shipibo embroidered textiles.

Lakiya Weaving, nomadic, tribal women from the deserts of Israel create the most amazing naturally dyed woven, wool textiles. They were my absolute absolute favorite!

Gorgeous patterns in these South African baskets.

Shawls from Mexico.

Amazing woven hats from Southeast Asia.

This doesn't even stratch the surface of all of the beautiful things at this year's folk art market. If anyone have any questions about the market or want more info. on any products, artisans let me know and I'll try and help!

Cameroon

One of my favorite artisans at the Folk Art Market was Ngang Ignatius Fru, from Cameroon. His natural fiber bags caught my eye right away (one of my friends saw the photos of the bags on Facebook and said they looked so Proud Mary...I agree)! I scooped up a few to add to the Proud Mary Market. They are SOOOO cute. Excited for whomever gets one! Shop here!

10% of these sales will be donated to the Santa Fe International Folk Art Market for the wonderful job they do supporting global artisans like Ngang!

Mexchic

Some eye candy for your Monday morning... bright and beautiful lightweight blankets hand woven in Tlaxcala, Mexico. Perfect for home, beach, or a picnic! Check out Mexchic's site for more chic Mexican hand crafts.

Katsinas

My favorite craft I've seen so far in Santa Fe are the Hopi Katsinas. Katsinas are flat dolls that are given to Hopi (Indian) infants starting with their Katsina Grandmother and then continue to receive them as they grow older until they are initiated into Hopi Society. Bahti Indian Arts has a beautiful collection in a large range of sizes. They're wonderful!

Ralli Quilts

I'm on my way to Santa Fe! So excited to see all of the beautiful crafts from around the world. I'm especially excited to check out Ralli Quilts, handcrafted, quilted home decor from Pakistan and India. The colors, patterns, and of course tassels (my current obsession) are amazing. I'll be sharing some photos and stories from the Folk Art Market this week. Stay tuned!