OUR INSPIRATION…
“You get a strange feeling when you leave a place, Like you'll not only miss the people you love, but you miss the person you are at this time and place because you'll never be this way ever again.”
- AZAR NAFISI
HAVE YOU HEARD…
Living Threads Co. has been on the road. For the past 6 weeks, we’ve been exploring partnerships with skilled artisans in Nepal and India. Our travels taught us about incredible artisan traditions, including marble inlay, bamboo weaving, and natural dye screen printing. We were also fortunate enough to learn about the lives and livelihoods of the artisans themselves. Today, Living Threads Co. explores the art and culture of India.
Artisan Partners...
We are excited to introduce Living Threads Co.’s newest artisan partnership, MESH (Maximizing Employment to Serve the Handicapped). MESH seeks to provide opportunities for disabled people, particularly those affected by leprosy, to achieve social and economic integration through trade.
According to The Leprosy Mission Trust India, 59% of new leprosy cases in the world during 2013-14 were in India. Of these, 12,043 were children and 46,845 were women.
These Individuals continue to be socially, legally and religiously discriminated against in Indian society. Many of those infected with the disease have little or no access to education, social services, medical treatment, or familial support. According to The Leprosy Mission Trust India, those affected with leprosy continue to be some of the poorest and more marginalized members of society, with very limited ability to participate in the market system.
““Our partnership is a wonderful fit because of our shared mission to empower marginalized communities and build sustainable livelihoods through art.” ”
ON THE GROUND…
Living Threads Co. is partnering with MESH to support those individuals affected with leprosy through collaborating on the design of our new screen printed bags.
These unique and handcrafted cotton bags are our gift to you when you make a purchase on our website or in our storefront in Northeast Harbor, Maine this summer. Coming June 1st.
Stay tuned to the Living Threads Co. blog to learn more about screen printing in India!
OUR LIVING THREADS….
Interested in learning more about economic development through art? Check out THREADS. This award winning documentary tells the story of building employment for women through traditional art. strives to facilitate conversation around handmade artisan goods and international development. If you are interested, want to get involved, or learn more about our collaboration, please contact us at info@livingthreadsco.com.
VIDEO: https://vimeo.com/26952516
