Insights from a trip to America with two weavers
How Ma Te Sai headed off to America with two Lao weavers for the Santa Fe International Art Market, and some observations.
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The Beat - A pulse on our findings and adventures
What makes TaiLeu cotton so good?
A love affair with Taileu cotton and how the people, culture and traditions shape their weaving to make it so good. Published in Garland Magazine Issue 6.
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In Search of the Comb
Today, you may only identify the Kui (pronounced Gway) people by a comb worn in the front of the women’s hair. And not all the women wear this. However Say, our driver, guide and true lover of the ...
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A morning with the Akha Phouly, from the village behind the cliff.
It was dark when we arrived at the Muang Long market and the vendors themselves were still arriving and claiming their square. The Akha Pouly women were over in the corner, and it felt good over th...
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Craft Forward - An Invitation from the British Council
In January I was invited by the British Council to tell the story of Ma Te Sai, at a conference which exposed different Southeast Asian business models to Burmese producers, and shared knowledge of...
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Hmong Embroidery & Culture in Luang Prabang
Bai Lee has been making products and teaching embroidery classes with Ma Té Sai for four years now. These classes help supplement income for the family. Extended families live together and relative...
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Paper Making Season in Luang Namtha with the Lanten
February in Luang Namtha province is “paper making season”. The Lanten people make bamboo paper for three months during the dry season. Made for their own ceremonial use, they also sell it to Hmo...
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What is Jungle Vine?
Jungle Vine or "Piad", pronunced pee -ad, in Lao, is a versatile plant fibre used to make nets and bags. A while ago I visited a Khmu village near Udomxai where they make a lot of jungle vine. A ma...
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