The Beat - A pulse on our findings and adventures
The Making of our Summer Capsule Collection
Posted by Emi Weir on
Designed in 2020 with support from projects and the luxury of time during the pandemic,our summer capsule is a collaboration over two villages. Working from their traditions, and with our support in training, it is a true village production, for any nationality of customer.
- Tags: cotton, design, embroidery, Lanten, Luang Namtha, Luang Prabang, sewing, Taileu, weaving
Designing by Warp
Posted by Emi Weir on
The Taileu ethnic groups are known for their exceptional weaving skills and passion for colour. We work with one group based in a rural town six hours north of Luang Prabang We have always loved their soft cotton, array of natural colours, so much so we had to work with them for our modern ombrė designs.
From War Scraps to Spoons to Jewellery
Posted by Emi Weir on
We have been working with Phet and his wife, Bouatong, since we started Ma Te Sai in 2010. Phet has been casting aluminium objects in moulds all his life. He lives in a small village in Xiengkhouang, the most heavily bombed province in Laos. Many people don’t even know that Laos was bombed, before and during the Vietnam War. Phet’s craft evolved from villagers using war scraps to make spoons for their noodle soup.
Bamboo weaving, weaving its way out?
Posted by Emi Weir on
Meet Phaeng! Phaeng is from a small village of 70 houses, nestled in the bend of the Namkhan River, just outside of Luang Prabang. We have been collaborating with Phaeng for over 4 years. She is one of many in the village who has woven bamboo since childhood.
- Tags: bamboo, Luang Prabang, weaving
Unleashing Creativity in Luang Namtha
Posted by Emi Weir on
This year Ma Te Sai has embarked on it's second sewing skills program with village artisans. We have 20 trainees from 6 different ethnic groups and villages in the Luang Namtha area, in remote Northern Laos.
Why do we train women to sew? It lets us follow our mission; a mission to work with women in remote areas and create finished products in their villages to earn a better living. But what we actually get in return is so much more, let me tell you how much more.
- Tags: artisan development, design, Hmong, Lanten, Luang Namtha, TaiDaeng, TaiDam