Oaxacan Carpets

The other day when we were having tornado warnings here in New Orleans I decided to do some uncluttering, as I needed to unplug my computer (and other electronics). I sorted through some of the pieces of paper I have collected for this blog, but never gotten around to writing.

I confess I tossed a number of business cards and ephemera of other artists because they no longer spoke to me. Writing their stories no longer 'sparked joy', but not these cards... I still wanted to share these fiber artists with my readers.

I met the artists, Wence and Sandra Martinez, at the Smithsonian Craft show a couple years ago. On their web site they call that very show "the holy grail of juried national craft shows."

Their work reminded me of my time in Oaxaca because I bought myself a carpet while I was in Mexico.

Coincidentally that same afternoon, when turning my computer back on, I decided to unclutter some of my computer files, too, and came across some photos from my trip to Oaxaca back before 2008 or so. I swear, I did not go looking for them.

There was a confluence of images, which made me realize it was time to write this entry.

These images are poor quality because they were not taken digitally, they are photos that I scanned.

That's my rug, right there. The artists are finishing up my very carpet. (It's not like I commissioned the carpet... and it was a total impulse buy/souvenir.)



I love that you can see some of the other rugs they have in their studio. You can see, too, that I like bright colors... brighter than the more traditional colors. I love that carpet. It always makes me happy.



The town was very small. I hope all the weavers benefit from the success that the Martinez's are having.

PS - Happy birthday to both my Dad and my very good friend, Derek.

Yildiz Palace/Şale (pronounced Chalet for those of us who don't speak Turkish) Pavilion - A review

Wonderful.

Yes, the palace itself is closed for renovations, but this pavilion and the incredibly steep park are open. Families were picnicking at the many tables in the park - plus there are at least 3 restaurants in the park, in the other pavilions. It was a nice visit.

Our friend, Nez, told us that the carpet in one of the reception halls was made by 60 or so weavers, and the the docent at the pavilion told me that it took 3 years to make. I can't imagine the size of the loom, or the room in which the loom was housed!

I wish I was able to take photographs of the carpet. I found this photograph at Turkishculture. I wish I had found a larger image. You can't possibly see the carpet.

The Şale Pavilion was built in 3 sections in the 19th century. It is very opulent and the workmanship is impressive. The carpet is a one piece Hereke carpet - 406 square meters! It is one of the largest carpets in the world and the wall had to be removed to install it.

Looking at the older two sections

The third section

The entrance to the center section

Shhhh, don't tell anyone I have this photo - of the Mother of Pearl dining hall

The only portion of the actual Palace I saw over the wall

Lots of ducks in the park

Ok, I found this photo of the carpet:



And a friendly cat I found on the street... what beautiful coloring!