Threads Afar from Norma Schafer. Welcome, Friends.
Hello, friends. You are receiving this because you are a friend and follower of Oaxaca Cultural Navigator (OCN) LLC, which I founded in 2007. As we turned the clock to 2026, I gifted OCN to Eric Chavez Santiago and his wife, Elsa Sanchez Diaz. They will now be operating programs and workshops in Oaxaca this year, and throughout Mexico in future years.
Knitting, sewing, stitching, and taking up sashiko are fun. Going to the Santa Fe International Folk Art Market (which ended a couple of days ago) to visit artisan friends was a joy. I’m also involved with Weave a Real Peace (WARP) and attended the annual gathering in Toronto in June. WARP brings together artisans, collectors, appreciators, and academics to talk, meet, explore, and examine. It is one of those heartfelt places I continue to return to.
And yet, this is not enough to sustain my passion for connecting with artisans, introducing textiles and folk art to many of you, and taking you to where talented people live in remote villages away from crowded tourist centers.
Threads Afar Textiles + Travel is evolutionary. I will continue to offer select, curated travel experiences beyond Mexico, perhaps once or twice a year. My intention is to also offer pieces from my collection for sale here, too. I will post these in small groups on the blog from time to time and include several payment options. You can be assured that each piece is personally selected by me for quality.
I’m working with travel experts who know their regions like a second skin and have developed long-time relationships with makers who offer workshops, demonstrations, home-cooked meals, and sometimes lodging in their homes or those of their families. Every adventure will include one or more hands-on experiences so that you can make something memorable and understand how a piece is created. We may try our hand at weaving, natural dyeing, pottery making, or cooking.
The world is open to us for exploration in small groups, so that we can savor each culture and each human being we meet. Cultural appreciation, knowledge, and respect are transmitted through these intimate relationships.
I have added you to the Threads Afar mailing list so you can stay informed, gain insights, and continue in our community. If you no longer wish to receive blog posts and updates, please do not hesitate to unsubscribe. I will miss you. And, I understand.
Upcoming Programs and Workshops
Guatemala Embroidery Workshop Tour with Maya Women and Multicolores Cooperative on Lake Atitlan. Registration Now Open. February 6-13, 2027. Offering an Early Bird Discount until August 8. Send an email to norma@threadsafar.com
Kyoto Unfolded: Beauty in Cloth and Culture. May 19 (arrive May 20)-May 31, 2027. Sold Out. Taking a Waiting List.
Laos Hill Tribe Workshop Tour is planned for March 2028. This is a two-week exploration of silk and cotton weaving, natural dyes, spinning, silverwork, village life, food, flavors, and local markets. Get on the Interested List!
Thank you for imagining the future with me. And, thank you for sharing with others.
~Norma
