handmade textiles

Thai artisan Alaya Cholprasertsuk creates this one-of-a-kind wall hanging depicting a map of South Asia. The artisan uses small scraps of recycled cotton batik fabric to create the colorful patchwork map, which includes the various seas and even Mt. Everest. The wall hanging is a fascinating accent to any decor.

Since childhood, artisan Emmanuel Atiemoh Yeboah has lived surrounded by Ghana's wonders and cultural richness, learning from its traditions and history. Drawing inspiration from the ancestral civilizations that once lived in this prosperous land, the artisan creates a batik wall art on cotton and cardstock, using oils in a vibrant palette. After bringing a stunning African mask to life, the artisan enhances his work with a ceiba wood frame.

Originated by the Akan peoples of Ghana, colorful kente cloth is the best-known of all African textiles. Kente is woven by hand in strips, which is how it came by its name (kente means "basket" in the Ashanti dialect). Ghana's Rachel Armah creates this colorful cotton blend scarf in cheerful shades of blue, pink and cream. The scarf's width allows it to double as a shawl.

In kente cloth, each color has a symbolic meaning: black symbolizes maturation and intensified spiritual energy; blue signifies peacefulness, harmony and love; green symbolizes vegetation, planting, harvesting, growth, and spiritual renewal; gold represents royalty, wealth, high status, glory, and spiritual purity; grey is for healing and cleansing rituals; maroon signifies the color of mother earth, associated with healing; pink and purple are associated with the female essence and female aspects of life; red symbolizes political and spiritual moods, bloodshed, sacrificial rites and death; silver is associated with the moon and represents serenity, purity, and joy; white is for purification, sanctification rites and festive occasions; and yellow represents preciousness, royalty, wealth, fertility, and beauty.

Originated by the Akan peoples of Ghana, colorful kente cloth is the best-known of all African textiles. Kente cloth is woven in strips, which is how it came by its name (kente means "basket" in the Ashanti dialect). Ghana's Rachel Armah creates this colorful cotton blend scarf in cheerful shades of purple, saffron, brown and aqua.

In kente cloth, each color has a symbolic meaning: black symbolizes maturation and intensified spiritual energy; blue signifies peacefulness, harmony and love; green symbolizes vegetation, planting, harvesting, growth, and spiritual renewal; gold represents royalty, wealth, high status, glory, and spiritual purity; grey is for healing and cleansing rituals; maroon signifies the color of mother earth, associated with healing; pink and purple are associated with the female essence and female aspects of life; red symbolizes political and spiritual moods, bloodshed, sacrificial rites and death; silver is associated with the moon and represents serenity, purity, and joy; white is for purification, sanctification rites and festive occasions; and yellow represents preciousness, royalty, wealth, fertility, and beauty.

Chirada creates a shoulder bag that is both stylish and convenient. The base is composed of a black and white cotton blend fabric that features a mesmerizing Thai geometric print. The strap is made from genuine leather with an attractive looped motif. The cotton lining has three pockets to keep small items handy, while a zipper closes the bag.

This enchanting tank tunic dress beautifully brings together elements from nature fashioned through handmade batik techniques. Balinese artisan Desak Nyoman Parwati’s chic design is also eco-friendly, as it is crafted from leftover rayon textiles that otherwise would have been discarded, thus reducing waste. The fashionable patchwork dress boasts colorful vine, leaf and dragonfly motifs in a vibrant palette of azure, teal, chartreuse, white and wisteria shades. With a flowy, relaxed fit and side seasm pockets, it's a perfect throw-on-and-go style for the season. Motif's and color placement may vary slightly due to the upcycled nature of this style.

Colorful patches in bright colors alternate with black squares in these checkerboard-patterned cushion covers from West Africa's Comfort Lovi. Crafted with 100% cotton, the cushions feature plain black backs with horizontal zippers for inserting and withdrawing cushions.

A Peruvian villager enjoys a sunny day in the Andes while caring for her animals in the hand-embroidered scene on this coin purse. Designed by artisan Balvina Huaytalla, the charming arpillería purse is crafted from a colorful cotton blend with a blue and white gingham cotton lining.