Yard after yard of material dries in the sun. In India, even in winter, the sun does the work of thousands of tumble driers. It is an efficient way to dry fabric after each round of dyeing and it gives you an opportunity to look over your work to make certain it is perfect.

Each year when we visit we sit on these steps. It has become a tradition after the meeting is over, to take a group photo.  Each year we come a little further. Each year we accomplish a little more. Last year was a break-through year for the weavers. The year before that we were presented with a series of new designs that the leatherworkers had made. 2009, of course, was the year that members of the Artisan's Alliance of Jawaja (AAJ) almost came to Canada for our Symposium.

Each year we see a change in the village. A new coat of paint here, a wall repaired and cleaned up there, everything a little better, more welcoming, more content than it was before. As a group of artisans, both the leatherworkers and the weavers have great determination. It is a determination that is constant, exercised a little each day, and so when we look back over our relationship – five years ago, ten years ago, it fills us with a great sense of satisfaction and confidence. Here are some photos from our recent visit.

We've added most of the Jawaja leatherwork to our online store. Find it here.

Everything is discussed in a large group meeting in the "go down" (Indian name for warehouse).

Jawaja proudly displays their recent work on the walls.

The women are also present, not wanting to miss the excitement.

When we finally prepare to leave there are blessings all around.

We have many ways to wrap-up this winter. Here we feature shawls made from a blend of wild Eri silk and wool. Most silks are reeled. But Eri silk is spun (like cotton), the result is a silk fibre that gives a warm feeling when used in cloth - especially when combined with wool. These shawls are soft and drape beautifully. We love the selvedge (edge) of these shawls. Handwoven in northern India by artisans from the Avani co-operative. Available in the four naturally-dyed colour combinations shown below.

$129.95/139.95 only at the Granville Island Store.

Himalayan Shoulder-Blankets

We have many ways to wrap-up this winter. Today's feature is a handwoven Himalayan shoulder-blanket. Woven by artisans in the Avani co-operative who live very close to the India - Tibet border, these are naturally dyed and made from the local sheep wool. Many of the artisans have migrated to India from Tibet and bring considerable weaving skills. The shoulder-blankets are used throughout the Himalayas, folded and draped over the shoulder when it is warm or wrapped around the body when it is cold. They are substantial, falling somewhere between a shawl and a blanket: 86" x 41" (220 x 104 cm.) They are good for covering your feet on the couch, or for wrapping up when you want to go outside. Who needs a coat? They also give many nice options for layering when combined with a lighter scarf around the neck.

$139.95 only at the Granville Island Store. Available in a variety of colour combinations.

The current issue of Selvedge Magazine has a bit of Canadian focus: Trade Routes to Trading Post: Beyond the Blanket - Textiles in Canada, by Joe Lewis, contains a potted history of some Canadian textile facts. We are happy to say that we received mention as one of the highlights.



The same issue contains a wonderful article by Ptolemy Mann on Jacquard weaving and what it means to revert to manual when your "dobby" (a computerized loom) fails. Carol Outram contributes a story on traditional clothing of the Arctic with remarkable photography by Karim Rholem. We've just added issue # 44 to our online store so you can pick it up here.

These have just arrived in the Maiwa store on Granville Island. Handwoven triple-layer shawls from Bengal. The top two layers feature a "thumb-weave" made by the weaver pressing his thumb into the warp as he weaves the cloth. The bottom, full-width layer, is a beautifully soft merino wool. Above this sits a three-quarter width layer of cotton mixed with zari (to give just a little shimmer) and above this is a half-width layer of cotton.

We like to hold these shawls up as a beautiful example of techniques that can only be done by hand. These shawls give endless possibilities - any of the three layers can be shown, or they can be twisted to bunch up all three layers and keep you cozy warm. $189 only at the Granville Island Store. Available in a variety of colour combinations.

Come down and see on Granville Island - the artisan heart of Vancouver. Open 10 - 7 every day of the week. 

Sophena Kwon and Ja Pace caught at the Jaipur Literary Festival

Taking a little break from putting together next year's clothing line, some of Team Maiwa were caught by a photographer at the opening of the Jaipur Literary Festival. The very talented Sophena Kwon left and Ja Pace, right. Sophena is in India working on the clothing line, designing and photography. She is there with both her mother Charllotte Kwon and brother Alex Kwon. Ja, who regular readers will recognize as one of the dancers at our fashion show, and a model for some of our summer clothing. is traveling around  India with friends and family. Ja opened the festival together with 15 drummers on Friday morning. By coincidence Ja had met up with one of her drumming teachers who's band just happened to be the opening act - and so she was invited up on stage. Both women are wearing Maiwa clothing.

Ajrakh Cloth

Dabu Cloth

Kalamkari Cloth

Boiled Kashmir Blankets

Opera on Granville Island from Michael Sider on Vimeo.

Wool shawls woven in Bhujodi village, Vishram Valji Vankar in the background.

HAND/EYE has done it again. This time with an entire issue dedicated to colour. We are especially proud of this issue because we were able to contribute to it. Maiwa editor, Tim McLaughlin has written an article on Lac red. Tim takes the reader through the harvest and history of lac and ends up at Bhujodi, a village in India's Kutch desert, where master weaver Shamji Vishram Vankar is behind the revival of lac and other natural dyes.

Regular readers will recognize Shamji as the weaver of a magnificent Masterworks exhibition piece.

Among the other contributors in the issue are Marta Turok - writing about Mexico's shellfish purple, Adam Levin - writing about Kente, the royal Ashanti cloth of west Africa, Marcella Echavarria - interviewing Gasali Adeyemo about Nigerian Indigo and Abigail Doan - writing about Beth Nielsen. Though it features natural colour, the issue also explores emerald mining in Zambia, the use of white in the ecstatic Candomblé religion of Brazil, and the role of red in Macedonian traditional dress. As with previous issues of HAND/EYE #6 is lushly illustrated with beautiful photography.

The magazine is available in our online store for $12.95 cdn. You can also flip through it in Maiwa Supply.

These are just some of the things that have come into our warehouse space at Maiwa East. Above - marble figures salvaged from building demonlition. Each one has its own face and makes a nice heavy book-end. 49.95 each.

We receive containers on a regular basis holding old furniture, carved doors & thresholds, teak cabinets, coffee tables, book cases, engraved water urns, ironwork chairs and tables, furniture handpainted by the renowned Abhi Shakar and Jetu Singh, and many other items both large and small.


A selection of old and handmade scissors. Some of these items have seen a lifetime of use in the hands of tailors. Some have been cleverly forged by the village smith. Quirky and beautiful at the same time. $19.95 each.


Two-door teak cabinet. Aprox 5' high x 33" wide x 14" deep. A fine addidtion to any room, the clear glass on the upper doors lets you show off your books or textiles, while the solid lower doors alows you to store less showy items. $599.00

Two-door teak cabinet. Aprox 3' 6' high x 30" wide x 18" deep. This wooden cabinet has an ornate rail at the top and is quite deep. Perfect for storing blankets or larger items. $399.00


Marble disks. We've been told that these were traditionally used as a kind of press to put a pattern in mango pulp. The ones shown here are the perfect size for a large candle or bottle of wine. Available in a variety of patterns. $19.95 each.