Vintage-inspired Fabric Sling Bags

Among the many beautiful shops along Tapae Road in Chiangmai, there is one that I make sure I drop in every time when I am in town.  I like products made from hemp, and I have always been able to find a few good selections in the shop.  These are what I found this time besides a deep green ' monk bag '.  The sad news is that I was told the property will be up for sale soon, and the American lady running the business is also considering retirement.  So when I say ' see you again ', she replied with a smile ' you won't see me again '.  Well, who knows, she might change her mind and relocate.  I hope.

Shoppings from a previous trip to Chiangmai.

Bought from the same shop a few years ago, a combination of cotton (prints) and hemp.  

Another sling bag - One year I was in Chiangmai during the monsoon season.  While walking in the Saturday night market, I was caught in the rain and ended up finding shelter in a stall that sold vintage inspired fabric bags.  Having stood there for some half an hour, I felt oblige to get something from the stall, and this was my purchase.  

Northern Thailand - Karen Weavings

My Thailand travel blog, Sawadee Ka.

Among the long stretch of stalls that went round the lake at night in Mae Hong Son, I came across a Karen woman selling these pieces that she has woven herself.

Handwoven cotton scarves.

This is a long piece, about 235cm, the best in the stall that evening.

The Mountain by Terje Sorgjerd - Time Lapse Photography at its best

                                  Beautiful and awe inspiring . . .
                                  On Vimeo

Catherine Carr: Crocheting with Glass

                                                       More on MODENUS

Prisoners of the Himalayas

                                               On Vimeo
                                         Source duckrabbit

Quilted Wood Daybed by Elisa Strozyk

                               
                            More on freshome Design & Architecture (video)

Northern Thailand - Lisu's Handicraft

With a few friends I recently did a 11 days road trip from Bangkok up to Northern Thailand. The highland of Mae Hong Son is about 6-7 hours drive from the city of Chiangmai on a rather windy road. Its small town is centred around a lake and so is the market that comes alive every night.  The  friendly locals and peaceful atmosphere in the market reminds me a lot of Luang Prabang.  Among the many Chinese products in the market, I found 2 stalls that were still selling ethnic minority handicrafts. These toiletry bags are made by the Lisu people.  Although modern, the spirit of their craft is still very much kept.  

Some photos of Mae Hong Son here taken from Sawadee Ka.  Check out the blog for more photos of the road trip.

               

The young Lisu woman from whom I bought the bags.  She is six months pregnant with her fourth child.  I was pleasantly surprised she remembered me from my purchase the night before.  I imagined the market must have closed about 11 or so and she is already out 8am the next day running her stall.

Other products in her stall

It was about 8am when we stopped to visit the main temple in town.  These are the only two stalls that were opened for business at that hour of the morning.  Instead of spending time in the temple, we actually spent all our time here buying bags!