Do you know this expression?     Its origins may be lost deep in the fog of history, or it may not be that remote.  The full expressions is West Africa Wins Again.  Does it being to make sense now?

In our case here, I was wawa’ed regarding new inventory, specifically INDIGO cloth, a sizable shipment of which I was to be receiving this month, but it was not to be.  My friend who winters in West Africa was to have met with her “fixer” in Dakar, but he was hospitalized with bleeding ulcers, unfortunately a not uncommon problem for anxious ambitions but ultimately thwarted youngish married men in Africa who have all the responsibilities of wife and children and few opportunities to support them even in a modest manner.

Then, my friend’s husband was not able to return to the US with them, so even if she had been able to dash into Dakar to see the supplier man, who had saved the fabric for her, she was alone in the airport with 3 children 10 years of age and under, and not enough cash at the time to facilitate the transaction.

So I’m disappointed, yes, but the worst WAWAs happen to the folks who live there and struggle to make ends meet, to keep their hopes and enthusiasm alive in the face of a daily grind of uncertainty.   So maybe we’ll get a shipment of fabric later, and maybe not.

Kind Regards,

Isa2

Do you know this organization?  Elie Schimelman has been conducting entertaining and education tours in Ghana for a significant number of years now.  She also has a project where talented artisans from the US teach local children aspects in the arts for enrichment and possible future career options.

“Cross Cultural Collaborative is an educational non-profit that promotes creativity between cultures”.

Information about her non-profit is found at www.culturalcollaborative.org (Sorry, I can’t seem to make this link hot) where you can find a link to purchase wonderful items at her gift shop.

But to get back to the tour ( http://www.culturalcollaborative.org/textiles2012.pdf )   It will take place in July of this year–July 8-21.

As the flier says:       “Stay in our guest house across the street from the ocean
Participate in workshops taught by African artisans; Learn: batik – tie & dye – adinkra – kente;  Visit galleries – museums – outdoor markets – dealers in
antique textiles – traditional crafts villages and Study the African textile traditions in context of the culture

Our vision is to place people from different life experiences  in an   environment where they can exchange ideas and find universal connections.”

As a person who has conducted Textile Tours in the Gambia, West Africa, I can assure you that this is a terrific opportunity to learn textile decorating techniques from folks who are “masters” of their trade.  And not only do you get hands-on studies, but to do so in the local surroundings provides fertile ground for personal growth you may never have thought possible.

I urge  you to check this out–it may be just what you are looking for.  Teachers, you may be able to get CEUs for this and I know when I was offering tours, some folks were able to qualify for grants from their own school departments and outside educational foundations, though I am not able to point you in the right direction more than that.

Bon Voyage,

Isa2

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Ciao,

Isa2

The web store was created to continue a business under THIS name that I was no longer pursuing in person at fairs, festivals, and quilting & sewing conferences.  While I have seen some growth each year, the sales overall have been lower than I had hopes of achieving.

This is partly due to the primary problem that really small business owners face:  under-capitalization.  It’s hard to make a business such as this grow when one is hampered in purchasing enough inventory to keep the store enticing.

Then too, I also live in the boondocks, and while there are a number of wholesale fabric websites where I can shop, I don’t really like buying fabric that I can’t touch.  Perhaps you are also like this.   But in my case, most of my suppliers have a no returns policy.  None.  So that if I do not like the quality of the fabric that arrives at my store room, I’m stuck with it.   That’ll slow you down, when you receive new fabric and immediately discount it into clearance.

I have also shopped in person in New York, at warehouses, boutiques and outdoor markets, but with the cost of fuel now, a trip to NY can nearly double to cost of my inventory if I don’t have too much to invest in the first place.

And being able to afford to travel to Africa is quite simply out of the question at this time, never mind the costs of inventory, shipping, demurrage and brokers.

So we’re starting out with a discount sale for the month of January.  If we do well, maybe we can get to New York and keep on keeping on.

Best Wishes,

Isa2

Kente Prints, usually  $8.95/yard, are now on sale  for $6.99/yard at

African Fabric Sales.  Other items selling at reduced prices include hand-decorated African Batik fabric fat quarters and damask 1-yard cuts.  Check it out!

Did you notice the fantastic sale I’m having at African Fabric Sales?  I want to clear out the old gold prints and the old African prints, so they’re priced at $4.49/yard and are flying out of the shop.  Get yours while they last!!  Let’s make room for new additions to the inventory.

Maybe when I’m spending less time in the garden and at work. I’ll write something more succinct and informational.  Until then, enjoy the season…

Isa2

This book surveys the raw materials used, and describes the various types of looms used by people in different locations across the African continent with a generous number of photographs showing the looms and the fabrics produced on them.  Unlike many books, these authors include the textiles of Madagascar/.

Following chapters discuss pattern dyeing particularly featuring Adire or Indigo designs from Nigeria as well as the bogolon/mudcloth from the Bamana people of Mali as well as discussion of drawn, painted, printed and stenciled designs.  The two final chapters discuss applique and related techniques such as quilting and patchwork, and embroidery in West Africa.

Hope you enjoy it!

Isa2

This makes me sad, because I can imagine all the bridesmaids at a wedding in a wonderful turquoise and brown fabric, or a troupe of dancers in performance at a festival in a brilliant red/yellow combination.

While I cannot compete with larger companies in variety and volume, I do offer great customer service, fill my orders promptly, ship economically and refund excess shipping charges beyond what it costs me to make more inexpensive labels online at the USPS website.  I ship to foreign countries though the shopping cart isn’t set up for that, and when you may want me to try to locate a special fabric in larger amount, I do my very best to satisfy you, even if I can’t always do it.

With the steady growth I see at African Fabric Sales I am hopeful that I will be able to purchase fabric in larger amounts to start with, and to add more new items frequently.   Thanks for your support.

My Best Wishes,

Isa2

Hey–I just  returned from a whirlwind trip to Manhattan for the latest shipment of African WAX Fabric for African Fabric Sales There are some fine examples of the aesthetic particularly notable in textiles that come from West Africa.

We ate at the Baobab Restaurant on 116th Street in Harlem, and saw the Acoustic Africa music performance at BB King night club in Times Square featuring the Habib Koite, Oliver Ntukudzi, and Afel Boucoum and their band.

When we got home, there were cocus and dwarf iris in bloom.

Peace & Blessings