More on Weaving

Ok, way back in January, I promised to post on embroidery in Vietnam, but I decided it was way more fun to contine on the theme of weaving. I hope you don't mind.

Three Stone Steps get the majority of its silk--and all its cotton products--from Cambodia, and, most of this is from Takeo Province, which is about two hours by car from the capital of Phnom Penh. Some of the silk we carry from the province is found in the Angkor shoulder bag, and in the luxurious silk scarf in two tones. And, this Spring, Three Stone steps will have new products from Takeo silk: scarves, in a mixture of organza and raw silk, in fantastic colors, of course, and new colors and patterns for the Angkor shoulder bag, with matching wallets to boot. But, as usual, I get carried away and digress.

Anyway, the silk weaving process in Takeo is very different from that found in Vietnam--as seen in the post below--since in Cambodia, almost all weaving is done by hand, whereas in Vietnam, much is done by machine. As you might imagine, this is what makes silk woven in Cambodia some of the finest in the world, and makes it more expensive than the textile found in Vietnam.

But, on to the silk weaving photos:
This is what the silk looks like before anything is done to it. Sadly (and, vegans, avert your eyes now!) I haven't seen the entire process, starting with the silk worm eating the mulberry leaves thing, but I do know that neither Thailand or Cambodia have much of a sericulture culture. In fact, most of the silk woven in those countries comes from the sericulture village in Vietnam. (And, that's on the list for the next trip.)

So, this silk is lovely, but it can be lovelier by being dyed. In Cambodia, it's done by hand, and here's a bit of the process:

In caes you were wondering, it's being dyed a lovely deep aubergine.

More steps in the silk process include spinning the silk threads on to bobbins.



And, please not the bicycle tire rim used as part of the weaving process. A great example of reuse, the second law in the reduce/reuse/recycle mantra.

And, of course, the weaving:


Lone weaver.Working together to fix the warp.

And, some of the finished product:

Ready for market or for Three Stone Steps most discerning customers!

I'm still here....

Ah, but dear reader, I have been very busy.

I'm getting ready for my inaugural trade show, for museum store buyers, down in Tampa. I'm super excited to show off Three Stone Steps' new line of bags made of recycled, repurposed mosquito netting, and the new bag made of recycled big plastic garbage bags that are woven around blue yard.

Eco-chic at its greenest best, I tell you!

I'll also be showing off my gorgeous two-toned 100 percent silk scarves, which, by some crazy reserve of will power, I've narrowed down to carrying in only four colors. These are hand made of course, and woven in a traditional way, not often seen in Southeast Asia. I also will have my lovely silk Angkor shoulder bag, in some new colors, as well as new colors of the great little cotton travel bag along with the larger commuter bag, both with the same great traditional, yet non-ethnic hippie Khmer silk-screen pattern. Oh, and silk jewelery rolls, and, if my some magic along with the correct alignment of the planets, maybe, just maybe, I'll even have those brand spanking new striped and beaded cosmetic bags along for the ride. I am waiting, waiting, waiting for the USPS to bring this wonderful package to my little door. Please Mr. Postman, look and see, is there a package, a package for meeeeeeeeeeeeeeee?

While the folks in Tampa will get to see all these goodies in person, never fear, everything will up on the site by later this month.....and, most everything should be available for purchase sometime this summer.

As always, stay tuned....and, updates from the road.

And now I'm back, from outspace....

...ok. I've been back for a few hours under a week now. And, so much I missed here on this Three Stone Steps blog: I missed Chinese New Years and Vietnamese New Years, or Tet. In honor of the holidays, I present this photo from Singapore's Chinatown. What this has to do with the new year of the Rat, I'm not certain, but it's a fun and festive and a little scary reminder of a huge holiday elsewhere in the U.S.

I'm home long enough that I'm back to work, and getting low on inventory and waiting to replenish it. In case you're wondering, I'm very low on the mosquito netting messenger bags. Very few of these are available, and in very select colors. I'm also currently low on the cotton messenger bags with the lovely Khmer pattern. More are coming soon, in some very great colors. Although I hoped, as mentioned below, to find more great handbags, messenger bags, wallets, and scarves from all over the region, all my ordering has come, so far, from Phnom Penh. If you've not been, here's a picture of the Independence Monument there. A really fantastic landmark, although mild confusion at times about exactly which turn off it is for my guesthouse!

As usual, being in S.E. Asia gave me loads to think about with regards to fashion accessories, and products, and designs and colors. Next to my hotel in Singapore, there was a great, historic Buddhist temple. The street was full of flower sellers, and most of them were selling lotus flowers in various stages of bloom. Of course, my little cosmetic bag (currently on sale!) and my business card holders (also on sale) and the lovely Angkor Bag are all based on the lotus pattern, which are the lovely flowers shown on the left.

Finally, I'm back from outerspace in time to vote in the Potomac or Chesapeake or Crabcake Primary. Very exciting election and very exciting time.

I'll provide more updates on my new products and new colors as I receive them. And, back to work for the rest of the day, until I can stick around and be my nerdy self and keep tabs on the election results as they come in.