Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Lindy's Giraffe on the loom!



And yesterday the images arrived of Lindy’s weaving of the giraffe still on the loom. I smiled, she captured it perfectly. I think everyone will smile at this little piece of Africa in hand-spun, hand-dyed, hand woven wool.


The rugs are 100% natural, cotton warp, wool weft. They are spun and dyed and woven by the women of the cooperative into delightful and durable small rugs - 2' x 3 1/2' . The cost is $200, shipping included and a promise that the first 8 rugs ordered will be delivered by Christmas. If we can get 25 orders for these new rugs, the women will end the year with a bang and the holidays will be celebratory for all.

If you would like to be a part of my effort to support the women of Mapusha, instructions for rug ordering are below. If you want to support the women but would rather give a donation than order a rug there is a paypal button for donations on their website -http://www.mapusha.org/shop.html


For a rug

Email me - judithbmiller@gmail.com with your request.

I will send you an order form and invoice with payment instructions by check or credit card (Paypal link)

You will receive a picture of your piece in process

Your special Mapusha tapestry will be delivered either in early December or early February.

Sunday, October 9, 2011

Mapusha's new rug designs!


These are the new African animals designs being woven at the cooperative in Rooiboklaagte, Limpopo Province, South Africa at this moment. The images come from my memory of animals in the bush - the gentleness of the giraffes munching leaves, the way the mother elephant protects her baby and the ever curious zebra. My friend Patsy Helmetag created the graphics from my drawings and we are looking forward to seeing what master weaver Lindy creates in wool from these images.

Pictured first are the simple graphic in rugs the colors of Africa without the animals. And then the animals join the scene!


Monday, October 3, 2011

Portland Oregon calling Rooiboklaagte South Africa


And here are Angy and Lizbeth, near the finish!


Two months later this image arrived of the rug that is being woven from the design I sent over. Our two youngest weavers, Angy and Lizbeth, are working on Rose’s rug and doing a beautiful job.


After nine years of working in South Africa with the women of the Mapusha Weaving Cooperative, I am back in Portland hoping to still be able to help my faraway friends to become truly sustainable.

I’ve come to the conclusion that designing rugs for the American market is my best bet and so I’ve dusted off my textile designer hat and picked up my paper and colored pencils.

My friend Rose is the first customer. When I see the spot in her wonderful home where she wants their rug to go, I’m excited. Working from the simple Navajo storm design, I come up with a rug and head out to the backyard to paint it to size.