Six Month Update

 

I can’t believe it has been six months since my trip to Oaxaca, Mexico!

 

I have a few updates to share.

 

Froylan, who took my workshop in Teotitlán has applied to the Centro Cultural Communitario Teotitlán del Valle (CCDTV) to teach indigo dyeing to children using the Tamarind/Indigo Vat.

 

Odilón, who took my workshop in Teotitlán, ran into trouble with his Tamarind/Indigo vat. Through WhatsApp, we were able to easily communicate and get Odilón and his vat back on the right track. It took patience and several days, but through this process, Odilón learned a lot and will be able to pass this knowledge on to others!

 

Julian, who took my workshop in Oaxaca City, also ran into trouble with his vat. Through Instagram messaging and google translate we were able to easily communicate.

Julian’s vat had a different problem than Odilón’s. But again, with time and patience, we were able to sort it out and get the vat back in working order. Now Julian can help others using what he learned.

 

Alfredo Orozco, who took the workshop in Oaxaca City, invited friends over, and together they made a Tamarind/Indigo vat and then had an indigo dyeing party!!

 

Finally, after our visit to San Sebastián Río Hondo, we promised to do more research on palo de aguila. My friend Gabriel Rivera soaked the wood for three months and then did several experiments that he was able to share with Angel (the dyer). The next step is for Gabriel to return to San Sebastián Río Hondo and work directly with Angel.

 

I have also heard from other dyers from the workshops who have been able to keep their vats going!!

All of this is with thanks to all of you who made the trip possible!!

 

 

Oaxaca 2022 – Update 02/19/2022 – In Conclusion

 

My goal for this trip was to teach a sustainable indigo vat, to reach people from different communities or villages, and to consult with artisans to learn their needs.

 

During my stay, I spent time in 6 places

Oaxaca City – used as my base and for a workshop at Taller Teñido a Mano

Tlacolula – to visit the Sunday Market

Tule – studio visit with Alfredo Orozco of Orozco Textil Experimental

Mitla – studio visit with Arturo Hernández of Bia Beguug

San Sebastián Rio Hondo - site visit to meet with Khadi Oaxaca’s dyer, Angel

Teotitlán del Valle – workshop at the Centro Cultural Communitario Teotitlán del Valle

and a meeting with Mariano Sosa Martínez of Bii Daüü

 

One place I was unable to visit was San Pedro Cajonos, I had hoped to hold a workshop there, but it just wasn’t possible – fear of Omicron was a factor in this isolated, distant village, and it was time for the villagers to begin to prepare for the season to raise silkworms. Many people were busy pruning the mulberry trees among other chores. A representative of the village did come down for the workshop in Oaxaca City!

 

We had men and women, young and old, first-time dyers, and experienced dyers in the two workshops.

 

The first workshop in Oaxaca City had 9 participants, several traveling long distances to attend.

We had a mix of participants representing their communities and those working independently

Many of the men and women would return home to teach others in their communities.

 

The second workshop was for artisans in Teotitlán del Valle. They had to apply for the workshop and write a letter stating why they wanted to take the workshop!

10 people participated in this workshop.

In talking with the group, I learned that two types of indigo vats are made in the village – a traditional vat using indigo and Muicle (a local plant) and the chemical vat using hydros (sodium hydrosulfite).

The Muicle vat is not very stable and the hydros vat uses harsh chemicals.

The participants were eager to learn a method that would be more stable, better for the environment, and safer for them to use.

 

Through the two workshops, I was able to reach more people than I could hope for as the participants would be passing on their new knowledge.

 

Another important thing that I was able to do was to set up a “hotline”. WhatsApp is widely used in Mexico as a form of communication. 

Between Elsa and Eric of Taller Teñido a Mano, my friend Gabriel Rivera and myself (with the help of google translate) all the participants now have a way of asking questions and receiving prompt answers. And we can share any new information and updates with them. I have already begun to hear from some of the participants sending photos to show me what they are doing and/or ask a question or two!

 

In meeting with artisans at their studios one thing I learned is that they all have the same question – How can I get stronger natural colors on cotton yarn?

I went over scouring procedures, the addition of a local tannin in the pre-mordant stage, and after dyeing the yarn doing an additional post-mordant.

The easy answer would be to use Aluminum Acetate, but this is not readily available in Mexico, and it is expensive. They use alum that can be purchased in the local markets at a low cost.

 

Your donation has already made a difference and will continue doing so far into the future for the artisans, their communities, and their families.

They are so grateful and humbled to learn that complete strangers from another country wanted to help them.

 

You might remember from an earlier update that Alfredo Orozco donated a beautiful garment as a Thank You to the participants and he asked that I raffle it off.

I am pleased to announce that the winner of the raffle is……..Mandi Ballard!!!!

 

Thank you, everyone, for your support, and please join me in congratulating Mandi!

 

Linda

Oaxaca 2022 Update – Teotitlán del Valle

 

I arrived back in Oaxaca City on the afternoon of January 26th with just enough time to shower empty my bag and pack for Teotitlán del Valle.

I met Elsa from Taller Teñido a Mano, the co-host for the workshop, and we drove up to the village.

 

The Centro Cultural Comunitario (CCCDETV) https://www.facebook.com/CCCTeotitlan/ is housed in a modern building that beautifully blends in with its surroundings. The organization is run by a group of ten women, all volunteers.

The place was perfect for our workshop – we could work outdoors, have easy access to water and enjoy the shade from the trees. We unloaded Elsa’s car and I headed off to my B&B for the night.

The next day the workshop wouldn’t start until 4 pm so I had time to do a little exploring.

I made my way to Bii Daüü Oaxaca ( http://www.biidauu.com.mx/). This is an organization of 21 men and women producing handwoven wool textiles dyed with natural dyes. Bii Daüü has its own dye garden from which all its colors come. They only use what plants they can cultivate.

I was introduced to the Zapotec plant Marush and the green dye it produces.

I had a wonderful meeting with Mariano Sosa Martinez, a representative for the organization.

 

Then it was off to have lunch and get ready for the first session of the workshop.

 

I was very impressed that the CCCDETV had vetted the participants. Everyone who applied to partake in the workshop had to submit an essay of why they wanted to participate. We had both men and women, young and old, experienced, and brand-new dyers. It made for a very dynamic group!

 

Day 1 we got to know each one another, have a Q&A and make the vats which would then rest overnight.

 

The morning of Day 2 coincided with the Friday Market in Teotitlán del Valle. I got there when it opened at 8 am and the scent of fresh-cut flowers and heaping piles of vegetables was amazing. While not a big market it was busy. I wandered inside to see freshly baked bread, fresh meats, and more. On the outside, there was also an area of food stalls. I had a fantastic breakfast of freshly made Memelas and a Café de Olla.

 

Day 2 we got down to the business of dyeing and it was a super day! From the moment we lifted the lids to check each person’s vat to the end when it was time to say goodbye.

All the vats behaved beautifully and we got wonderful blues.

Did I mention each person made their own vat and they would go home with their 5-gallon vat!

Elsa and her husband Eric acted not only as my assistants but also as my translators and I am so grateful for all their hard work!

At the end of the day, Eric showed a video of the process of the plant to indigo cakes in Santiago Niltepec. Here is a look at the process - https://artsandculture.google.com/story/tgURoQrWn_YaLQ?hl=en

After we finished cleaning up, the CCCDETV held a ceremony where we all received certificates. Everyone was feeling tired but very thankful for our time together and excited to continue their blue journey…

 

I had a relaxing meal with Elsa and Eric and then it was time for me to head back to Oaxaca City!

 

 

 

 

 

First my apologies for the long silence!

On Sunday, Jan 23rd my friend Gabriel @gabrielriveranyc and I boarded a van to San Jose del Pacifico where we would be met and driven to San Sebastian Rio Hondo. About 4 hours travel in total.

My friend Gabriel was my translator for this trip.

 

One thing to note about San Sebastian Rio Hondo – there is no Internet service and Cell service is limited to WhatsApp! This was a digital Detox!!

 

San Sebastian Rio Hondo is a village that is supported by Khadi Oaxaca (https://khadioaxaca.com/en/). 400 families, 550 people, are involved in all steps of production. This means everything from cleaning the cotton, carding, spinning, scouring, dyeing, weaving, and either selling by the meter or making the fabric into beautiful clothes.

 

On Monday we had a fascinating visit with Felipa and Carlos to learn about the history of Khadi Oaxaca. They work with both the naturally colored cotton from San Juan Colorado and at times commercial cotton (as warp threads).

 

I could go on for pages about what they do – please do check out their website to learn more!

 

Then we took a walk to one of the dyers, Angel. In talking with him I heard the same message – how do we get stronger colors on the cotton yarns.

So, we talked about how the yarns are scoured, how they are mordanted and, also talked about the available tannin plants including avocado pits (for tannin, not as a dye).

Then Angel told us about a local tree – Palo de Águila or the Dye Tree.

When you cut into the bark the pulp becomes orange. In olden times it was used to create a beautiful orange dye – but no one knows how to use it today.

The next day Gabriel and I worked with Angel showing him the best methods for running tests.

 

We were unable to get online to research the tree. But we were able to run several tests – not successfully.

What was successful is that this was a very good lesson for Angel on how to test colors. This was not something that had been encouraged or done.

Once we returned to Oaxaca City, we learned the bark needed to be soaked for several months and it was a cold-water dye.

The good news is that Gabriel will continue to work with Angel!

 

I left San Sebastian Rio Honda knowing the trip was a success!

 

And if you would like to visit a little bit of Heaven, I recommend a visit to San Sebastian Rio Hondo and staying in one of the cabins at Casa Maitri (https://casamaitri.com/english/)

 

We departed on the morning of January 26th for our return to Oaxaca City.

Coming up - Teotitlan del Valle!

 

 

This morning (Jan 23rd) I catch a van for a 3-hour trip south into the mountains.

I will be visiting Khadi Oaxaca in San Sebastian Rio Hondo

There are 400 families involved with this organization

They spin cotton yarn, dye with natural dyes, weave and sew.

I am very excited about this site visit!! I will be doing some advisory work with their dye team.

My friend Gabriel is accompanying me to act as a translator.

It is very rural - no internet and limited cell service - no updates until I am back in Oaxaca.

I will return to Oaxaca on the 26th and then head off to Teotitlan to hold another 2-day indigo workshop!

I made 2 studio visits this week.
The first was to Alfredo Orozco (Orozco Taller Textil Experimental) in Tule, about a half hour's drive outside the city.
It was great fun to see all the beautiful dye work with native plants that Alfredo has been doing. He is focusing on experimenting with fibers other than the traditional wool and cotton that is 

used in Oaxaca. We talked about the best practice to make certain colors more light-fast and wash-fast.
The knowledge of weaving is a family tradition passed down from Alfredo's grandfather to his father, and now to Alfredo!
Alfredo wanted to say Thank You to the donors and gave me this beautiful poncho he wove to raffle off! When I return home I will hold the raffle and there will be 1 lucky winner!!

The second visit was to Mitla where Arturo Hernandez's studio is located. It is about a 45-minute drive from Oaxaca City.
Bia Beguug Textil Artesanal is a family Taller (workshop) that specializes in naturally dyed handwoven woolen and cotton work.
This could be throws, rebozos (shawls), huipils (blouses), and more. During my visit, we talked about the best practices for scouring and mordanting cotton yarns to get strong colors. 
My visit ended with a fabulous meal!!

A very happy group! The indigo vats were amazing as were the participants.

You did it!!!!!!!!
Pop that champagne cork, toss some confetti!
Oaxaca 2022 reached its goal.
Thank you to everyone who donated.
Over $5000.00 was raised, contributions both direct and through Fractured Atlas.
I have said this before - I cannot do this work without you.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart!!

Oaxaca 2022 Update 01-11-2022

 

In just a few days I will be on a plane to Mexico. Thank you for supporting Oaxaca 2022!!

The participants for the first workshop are confirmed, supplies are being purchased, studio visits have been confirmed – the excitement is building!!

 

The first free, 2-day workshop is being held at Taller Teñido a Mano (https://www.facebook.com/tallertenidoamano) in Oaxaca City. We are putting all Covid-19 protocols in place, N95 or KN95 masks must be worn, gloves and hand sanitizer will be supplied, and social distancing will be respected. The participants are coming to Oaxaca City from different villages and will bring with them the materials they typically work with – this could be wool, silk.

 

The second workshop is going to be held at Centro Cultural Comunitario Teotitlán del Valle.

For this workshop, each participant will make their own indigo vat and take it home with them at the end of the workshop. This will allow the participants to both teach others and continue working. Again, all Covid-19 protocols will be put in place.

 

I will be making 2 and possibly 3 studio visits, as well as a 3-day visit to San Sebastian Rio Hondo. This cotton community is very interesting they are growing Coyuchi cotton, hand spinning, dyeing the yarn with natural dyes, weaving fabric, and making garments. 

To learn more about Khadi Oaxaca, follow this link - https://khadioaxaca.com/en/

 

 

 

 

 

Wow! Thank you to everyone who has donated so far!

The campaign has almost reached the $2000.00 mark!!

 

All the rewards, other than the Surprise Reward that will be purchased in Oaxaca, have been shipped and should reach the donors before Christmas!

 

There is still time for you to donate and receive your reward before Christmas!!

 

I have been able to check several things off my list:

Plane ticket – booked and purchased

A place to stay – booked

Transportation from and to Oaxaca Airport – booked

Indigo for the workshops – purchased, packed, and ready for my suitcase

 

You might be wondering why I am not using local indigo?

Two reasons – 1) The indigo grown in Oaxaca is amazing indigo – but there is only a limited quantity available each year and I prefer to keep it available for the artisans.

2) The local indigo comes in cake form. For the amount we need for the workshops it would take a full day or more of grinding to produce enough indigo powder for the workshops!

 

The trip is just a month away!

 

 

 

Making a list and checking it twice!!
Did you know that a trip like this takes a lot of logistical planning? Well, it does both on my part and the host organization!
I just received an itinerary from Taller Teñido a Mano to look over and I must say that Eric and Elsa have done a terrific job of contacting artisans, putting together studio visits, and more.
My schedule will be jam-packed and I am looking forward to every moment!
There will be an amazing variety of artisans who work with handspun wool & cotton as well as commercial yarns. There will be weavers, dyers, hand spinners, and embroiderers coming to the workshops.
I am also feeling very honored that the sons of two weavers will be taking my workshop - their fathers attended my workshops in Oaxaca over 10 years ago!! I remember them as young children, now young men!!
There are also two visits to the mountains planned - San Pedro Cajonos and San Sebastian Rio.
San Pedro Cajonos is a silk village where they raise the cocoons, spin the silk into yarn and weave beautiful naturally dyed silk products.
In San Sebastian Rio there is a collective of about 200 spinners, weavers, and dyers. They produce naturally dyed products using their handspun cotton.
Thank you for donating to this project!