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Norma writes for Selvedge Magazine Issue #109 -- Rise Up, November 2022
Norma Writes for Selvedge Latin Issue #89
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What is a Study Tour: Our programs are designed as learning experiences, and as such we talk with weavers about how and why they create, what is meaningful to them in their designs, the ancient history of patterning and design, use of color, tradition and innovation, values and cultural continuity, and the social context within which they work. First and foremost, we are educators. Norma worked in top US universities for over 35 years and Eric founded the education department at Oaxaca’s textile museum. Our interest is in creating connection and artisan economic development.
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Why We Left, Expat Anthology: Norma’s Personal Essay
Norma Contributes Two Chapters!
- Norma Schafer and Oaxaca Cultural Navigator LLC has offered programs in Mexico since 2006. We have over 30 years of university program development experience. See my resume.
Study Toursd are personally curated and introduce you to Mexico's greatest artisans. They are off-the-beaten path, internationally recognized. We give you access to where people live and work. Yes, it is safe and secure to travel. Groups are limited in size for the most personal experience.
Programs can be scheduled to meet your travel plans. Send us your available dates.
Designers, retailers, wholesalers, universities and other organizations come to us to develop weaving relationships, customized itineraries, study abroad programs, meetings and conferences. It's our pleasure to make arrangements.
Select Clients *Selvedge Magazine-London, UK *Esprit Travel and Tours *Penland School of Crafts *North Carolina State University *WARP Weave a Real Peace *Methodist University *MINNA-Goods *Smockingbird Kids
Tell us how we can put a program together for you! Send an email norma.schafer@icloud.com
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- WEAVE Podcast: Oaxaca Coast Textiles & Tour
- NY Times, Weavers Embrace Natural Dye Alternatives
- NY Times, Open Thread–Style News
- NY Times, 36-Hours: Oaxaca, Mexico
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Photography Workshop Summer 2012: Best of Day One
The day began with Magdalena at the comal — the outdoor cooking griddle where she prepares fresh, stone ground tortillas from local organic corn. All hand made, all from scratch. Her fingers work the dough to make empañadas, formed between two layers of plastic wrap. Her fingers are sprinkled with cilantro.
After breakfast, our morning learning session started in the altar room of our bed and breakfast. This sacred space is where all family rituals take place. Soon, a copal incense burner will be lit to welcome in the village festival to honor the church’s namesake: Preciosa Sangre de Cristo.
During the village walkabout after our session, we passed by the feria (the annual carnival) setting up rides near the market. Our instructors Sam and Tom led us around the back of the church, behind the municipal building where we discovered ancient adobe walls built atop a centuries-old Zapotec archeological site.
In the corner of the room where we watched a family make celebration and religious candles out of beeswax and natural dyes: a bag filled with used votive candles.
Beeswax used for candle making. another traditional and handmade process, taking over an hour to form the tall tapers, then make the beeswax flowers, angels, and birds that decorate them.
The candlemaker of Abasolo street, Teotitlan del Valle.
And, below, organic corn grown locally.
I took 517 photos today. The assignment was to choose the 10 best. I could only narrow it down to 11.
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