Introducing the Lana Bag
We are beginning to feel a chill in the air. Mornings are crisp and cool, our jeans are out of storage and as I type this I am sitting in the last patch of sun on our balcony for warmth. This feeling takes us back to our time in San Cristobal de las Casas, Mexico. It was here where we met Veronica.
Veronica is from San Juan Chamula, you could tell instantly by the traditional wool skirt and satin blouse that she was wearing. I was drawn to her stall because she was hand sewing her own designs. It isn't often that you find artisans creating in the market. Many market stall holders simply purchase pieces from the artisan for a cheap price to resell in the markets. Our artisan partners from Jolom Mayaetik call them "coyotes" because they often prey on the desperation of artisans and their need to sell.
Moacir and I walked over to Veronica and she showed us the bag that she was making. I was instantly in awe of the bright pom poms and colourful tassels that adorned the bag's wool panel. A mother of 5, Veronica's eldest daughter was also helping to make the bags. So now we introduce to you... our Lana Bag (Lana meaning wool in Spanish).
Our Lana Bag is for all of the Pom Pom lovers out there. Each design was handmade in the Tzotzil Maya village of San Juan Chamula, Mexico by Veronica and her family.
Firstly Veronica hand selected the sheep's wool, combed the fibres and spun them into threads. From there she prepared the warp and wove each wool panel on a backstrap loom. Veronica then hand stitched the sides together with cotton, before sewing on her handmade pom poms and tassels. She finished off the bag by twisting colourful cotton into a strong shoulder strap and hand knotted it onto the wool bag.
In San Juan Chamula, sheep are considered a sacred animal and are never killed for their meat. However, they are kept for their wool which provides protection and warmth. Sheep are treated with respect, protected, looked after and are mourned when they die, just like members of the family.
The Lana Bag is a statement piece and each design is one of a kind. Wear this beauty with jeans, boots and a comfy knit in autumn and winter or denim and a maxi skirt in summer.
Shop the Lana Bag by clicking this LINK
Have a beautiful holiday amigos.
- Skye.
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