Portuguese Street Art - " Entre Linhas III & IV " by Costah & Moreira

Image source: stick2target, YouTube

Cloud Stool by Studio Joon&Jung

A

Source: CONTEMPORIST

‘Kaivalam’ - A World Craft Summit
October 7-10th, 2012, Chennai, India

                                            http://www.kaivalam.com/home

Vochol: Huichol Art on Wheels

A Beaded Beetle?

Read more on HandEye, YouTube

Image Source: Think Mexican

WEFT Kuching 2012

The W.E.F.T( WORLD ECO-FIBER AND TEXTILE) FORUM

The 1ST W.E.F.T. FORUM was started in September, 1999 at the International Ikat Weaving Forum held in Kuching, Sarawak, East Malaysia. Since then, the WEFT Forum has been a biennial event.

http://www.isendweft2012.com/

Head Cloths

Head cloths come in different shapes and sizes, from plain to the very ornate, sometimes intricate in designs.  Here are just a few photos of the less sophisticated pieces that we are more familiar with.  This piece of cloth on the head somehow has come to identify one's unique cultural identity among us.  The practice, even in its simplest form, sometimes speaks volume.

Pushkar,  Flickr

Oman, Flickr

Niger, Flickr

Cambodia, Flickr

Central Asia, Flickr

Vietnam, Flickr

Semasahin

Bangladesh, Kommaar

Petit Cabinet de Curiosites

Chinese Minority Textile - Dong Woman's Head Cloths

Embroidery from Central Asia

This is one of my favourite piece of embroideries.  Among the motifs, colours and composition, there appears a sense of glory and triumph in the exquisite work.  After many weekend visits and several other purchases later, probably over a period of a year or perhaps two, the vendor decided to part with it.  Joy!

Source: kommaar-waw, via Petit Cabinet de Curiosites

A Rug from Damascus

While wondering around the souk in the Tekkiye complex in Damascus,  we walked past this shop and I was immediately attracted to the bright looking colour rug displayed on the bench at the entrance.  On closer inspection I was told that the colour is natural dye, made from pomegranate. I didn't know that! There must be a good crop of pomegranates in Syria. When in Krac, a few days before arriving Damascus, we had some fried cauliflower and potatoes drizzled with pomegranate sauce and a light sprinkle of sugar before they were brought to the table.  I must say cauliflower has never tasted so good before!

Artist at work.

I love this area, laid back and full of charm. Nobody tried to get you into their shops.

Not only the corridor, a large area of the ground is just as seriously uneven.  Some restoration works were in progress on the structure of the building.

I like this unusual looking large wooden door.

The souk is not big at all, but there are plenty to see and keep one intrigued.

Two years on after my visit to Syria, I still have not found a corner for my rug.  But perhaps like many shoppings done during travel, a few become tangible collection of memories, it's purpose comes later.