The following article was published Sept. 30, 2014 in South Shore News (and the Progress Bulletin newspaper in Nova Scotia, Canada).
Note: We will continue to sell our textiles through shows in Nova Scotia until they all find new homes. See our
Events page for show listings. You can also order from our
SHOP page until Nov. 28, 2014.
We will keep this website and blog to continue to share the stories of these remarkable artisans online. Browse through our
blog (see Older Posts too or search for topics that interest you), visit the
Artisans page and learn about
Weaving Culture in Thailand and Laos.
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| Young Lao village silk weaver at her loom |
For seven years, Mahone Bay-based Tammachat
Natural Textiles has visited and worked with more than a dozen women's
weaving co‑ops, social enterprises, certified fair trade businesses and
family weaving groups in Thailand and Laos.
This fall, co-founders Alleson Kase and Ellen Agger will be wrapping
up their business with a large textile show in Mahone Bay from October 3
to 5, 2014 and with a number of smaller shows around the province.
By helping hundreds of international weavers reach new customers in
Canada, Tammachat supported them in their efforts to preserve their
artistic and cultural traditions and to create additional income for
rural families.
Ms Kase, who returned to Canada after living eight years in Thailand
to pursue a degree in international development, said, "When women have
money, they spend it on nutrition, education and housing.
"This work has helped enhance the status of women in their
communities," she added, "and we've been proud to support that. Their
textiles are beautiful, especially the organic silk scarves and
fabrics."
However, the membership of weaving groups in Thailand has shrunk over
the years, explains Ms Kase, despite their attempts to find new,
younger members.
"When the co-op that inspired us to launch Tammachat Natural Textiles
announced last year its decision to close its shop, we were prompted to
re-examine our own priorities. We decided, like the members of Prae
Pan, that we were ready for a change."
Since 2007, Tammachat has sold more than 5,000 handwoven, naturally
dyed and fairly traded textiles through shows and fairs across Nova
Scotia. Tammachat has also donated thousands of books to children in
rural Laos through
Big Brother Mouse, a pioneering social enterprise
that works to increase literacy in Laos. Its program publishes and
distributes books in the Laotian language, featuring the work of young
Laotian artists who create beautifully illustrated books for young
readers. Tammachat gives one book to a child in Laos for each textile
piece it sells to support this project.
Ms Kase and Ms Agger plan to continue their travels in Southeast Asia
and hope to find new ways of connecting with communities there.
Meanwhile, they will hold their final big show during the Great
Scarecrow Festival and Antique Fair at the Mahone Bay Centre, this
weekend.
"We want their stories to inspire others. These are hard-working and
remarkable women who weave very special textiles that are both beautiful
and environmentally friendly," Ms Kase said.
