SIDEBAR: I'm not sure as I write this that I can really convey the intangible parts of our experience. It is HOT here. The smells are intense. Air conditioned areas are as welcome as anything you can imagine. Ellen said yesterday or last night, that she actually looked forward to leaving a building and walking, just to create a breeze.
The second place we went for fabric was the Hill Tribe Market. There were low tables filled with amazing bits of fabric. Some were skirts, some jackets, and some were individual sleeves. Yes, like you would rip off a jacket. Each item is comprised of many, many layers of recycled fabric, trim, rickrack, ribbon and layers of cross stitch embriodery and embellishments. In some ways, the patterns and styles looked to my untrained eye like something that would be found in South America.
Mary showed me how to choose what is useful for the handicrafts ministry. We spend quite a while looking at different pieces, discussing the merits of each one. I asked questions like an annoying little child. "Why this? What's wrong with this one? Why would anyone want to spend this much effort making a wool, five layer skirt in a climate where it is so hot that no amount of water can quinch the thirsty heat?"
Interesting fact silver made in Thailand is only made in villages outside of the main cities by Hilltribe families. Most patterns have been in there family for many years and can only be made by large order. There are no stores or one central place to purchase Hilltribe silver in variety other than from the large wholesale shops in the city. Mondays and Fridays are the days families will bring their goods to the main shops for sale and to pick up new orders. A trip to a silver village is a real eye opener to see how families work together to make beautiful silver pieces of art. All Handmade.
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