My name is Caryn Maxim. I live in NJ but spend 2 weeks of each month in Cajola, a Maya Mam community in the western highlands of Guatemala. (The Mam people are one of the 22 Maya ethnic groups in Guatemala.) I have been helping a group of women start a weaving cooperative, MayaMam Weavers, over the past years. I would like to share with you some of their work, some of their stories, some of their wisdom, as well as why fair trade -- or trading fairly -- matters.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
MayaMam Weavers and TAFA List
Some time ago, we were invited to join the TAFA List -- "Textile and Fiber Artists." This has been a wonderful association for us. It is a "virtual" community of entrepreneurs rooted in textile and fiber arts and traditions currently drawn from 23 different countries. TAFA brings together old and new traditions, just as we try to create contemporary textile products drawn from our ancient weaving and embroidery heritage. Plus, most TAFA members are committed to fair trade and environmentally sustainable products and practices. Participating in TAFA List has opened our eyes to the opportunities for marketing on the internet as well as given us a community of artists to share concerns and ideas with. We invite you to take a look at the TAFA List website to learn more about the organization and see the wide range of beautiful products that our community produces (and sells!)
(By the way, TAFA List is in the middle of a fund-raising campaign to raise funds to create an improved website -- consider donating when you visit the website.)
Visit TAFA List's website at www.tafalist.com
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