My goddaughter Janet Chavez is coming to Durham on April 26 and will drive west with me to Taos, New Mexico. I call this bringing Oaxaca to me! I’m excited because this will be her first road trip across the USA. We haven’t seen each other for over a year and there is a lot to catch up about. Janet is a linguist. She is tri-lingual and then some, speaking Spanish, Zapotec, English and a smattering of other Romance languages. She also gives presentations about preserving indigenous language and culture, helped develop an online Zapotec talking dictionary, and is affiliated with Haverford College.
Janet is also bringing rugs her family makes from hand-carded wool and natural dyes. (See feylolarugs.com) This includes medium and large sizes. Purchase now and Janet will bring your rug with her and ship from Durham, NC, next week before we hit the road. Remember, these are one-of-a-kind and all dyed with natural dyes — plants and cochineal. At Fe y Lola Rugs, they make all their own dye pots and color the churro wool yarn skein by skein. It is a slow production process. All sales go directly to the family! You are buying direct from the master makers.
We encourage you to purchase now since Janet may not bring all rugs shown with her, only those that sell in advance. Please purchase by Saturday, April 24.
To Buy: Please email me normahawthorne@mac.com with your name, mailing address and item number. I will mark it SOLD, send you a PayPal link to purchase. We will calculate shipping to your location from Durham, NC (a big savings), and send you an invoice for the total. Please DO NOT SELECT buying goods or services at check-out. We also accept Venmo and Zelle. I can send you a Square invoice (+3% fee) if you don’t use PayPal. All sales final.
SOLD. #2 Snails, 6’x9′ — $2250, indigo, wild marigold, cochineal, zapote negro 
SOLD. #3 Volcano, 6’x9′ — $1,890, indigo, wild marigold cochineal
#4 Zapoteco, 6’x9′ — $1890, indigo, cochineal, wild marigold
Our family is a four generation lineage of weavers and natural dyers from Teotitlan del Valle, a Zapotec community in the state of Oaxaca, Mexico. Our rugs are one-of-a-kind, with complex designs that blend tradition with innovation, setting the standard for beauty and quality. At Fe y Lola, we tell stories through threads.
SOLD #5 Thunder, 6’x9′ — $2,250, indigo, wild marigold, cochineal, undyed wool
SOLD. #6 Butterfly, 2.5’x5′ –$450, indigo, marigold, undyed
#7 Canasta — $300, zapote, undyed
SOLD #8 Cruces, 2.5’x10′ — $900, indigo, undyed wool
#9 Diamante Flor, 2.5’x5′–$510, cochineal, indigo, marigold, undyed wool 
SOLD #10 Greca, 2.5×5′–$500, Spanish moss, undyed
SOLD. #12 Greca Victoriano, 2.5’x6.5′–$900, indigo, undyed 
SOLD. #13 Hilos, 2.5’x5′–$400, indigo, undyed
SOLD. #14 Lienzos, 2.5’x5′ — $450, indigo, cochineal 
SOLD. #15 Maguey, 2.5’x5′ — $450 indigo, marigold, undyed
SOLD #16 Mil Rayas, 2’x6′–$280, cochineal, indigo, marigold, zapote 
#17 Snail, 2.5’x5′–$610, cochineal, indigo, marigold, zapote, undyed wool
SOLD. #18 Snail, 2’x6′ — $900, cochineal, marigold, undyed wool
Twenty years ago, Fe y Lola took a risk and decided to focus on producing high quality wool rugs on a small scale. They invested in a sustainable weaving process that does not include toxic chemicals such as sulfuric acids and anilines, that are very dangerous for one’s health as well as for the environment. By conducting research on natural dyes, experimenting with local natural dye materials, and most importantly, rediscovering and re-learning ancient Zapotec natural dyeing techniques, they began to develop an exclusive palette of natural colors and combinations. Along the way, they had the opportunity to learn from and share knowledge with other natural dyers and weavers from all over the world, enriching their comment to their work and customers.
#19 Teoti, 36″x44″-$700, indigo, cochineal, undyed 
SOLD #20 Vida Entretejida, 2.5’x5′–$510, marigold, undyed
#21 Tradicional, 2.5’x6′–$750, cochineal, indigo, marigold
SOLD. #22 Zapotec Diamond, 2.5’x5′–$450, indigo, Spanish moss, undyed wool
Norma’s Notes: I have lived with this family on their land in Teotitlan del Valle since 2005. Back then, I saw that what they were doing was extraordinary and unheralded. Over the years, they have continued to produce some of the best tapestry weaving in the village and are noted for their innovative color combinations, density of woven fiber, and rich, all natural colors. Supporting them in their efforts to become more well known has been my passion over the years because I admire their commitment, tenacity, creativity, and talent. Now, I get to watch how the children, who are now adults and the next generation of weavers, continue in the ancient traditions of their family and culture. Their rugs have added joy to my living space for all these years, without fading or discoloration.
North Carolina Hosts Teotitlan del Valle, Oaxaca, Weaver with Two Trunk Shows
Omar Chavez Santiago is a fifth generation weaver from Teotitlan del Valle who works in natural dyes. His family operates Galeria Fe y Lola in Oaxaca city. I asked my Congressman G.K. Butterfield (D-NC) to alert the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City that Omar was coming on March 1, 2018, for his visa interview. Few are successful. Omar received a 10-year visitor visa. He is here and we are excited.
Omar Chavez Santiago explains natural dyes in Oaxaca, Mexico
Wendy Sease, owner of INDIO Durham, will host Omar this weekend for a Mexico Art & Textile Trunk Show. Thank you, Wendy. Please come!
FIRST TRUNK SHOW — INDIO DURHAM
SECOND TRUNK SHOW — ECHOVIEW FIBER MILL, WEAVERVILLE
Thanks to Judi Jetson from Local Cloth and Grace Casey-Gouin from Echoview Fiber Mill, for hosting us in the Asheville area. Please let your NC mountain friends know!
Preparing the cochineal dye bath, Teotitlan del Valle
Getting the most intense red possible! Straining the bugs.
Bamboo bobbins with natural dyed wool, ready to weave
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Posted in Cultural Commentary, Folk Art, Teotitlan del Valle, Textiles, Tapestries & Weaving
Tagged carpets, Durham, Echoview Fiber Mill, exhibition, INDIO Durham, natural dyes, North Carolina, Oaxaca, rugs, sale, tapetes, trunk show, Weaverville, weaving