It all began with a trip to Turkey to celebrate my daughter's graduation from college. I knew about the carpets and was determined not to buy any. Make plans and God laughs, right? So I had five shipped home -- 4 on the very first day in Istanbul! But I was unprepared for all the other textiles, the love of which I inherited from my mother and cemented with a summer sewing class at the local fabric store in Santa Monica, California when I was 8.
The Silk Road beckoned. A full blown textile addiction has ensued, leading me back to Turkey and further afield to Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and India with more to come. Travel with a focus on textiles provides a unique pathway to modern cultures and ancient traditions. And a connection to artisans in villages and cooperatives off the beaten path.
Handicrafts that have been handed down for generations are at risk of extinction as modernization reaches the far corners of the world. By promoting the amazing work of talented artisans I hope I can make a small contribution to its conservation.