Ends of the Earth - Textile Tours

Over the years I have visited many crafts people around the world. It gives me great pleasure to develop tours where you too visit these people and have hands experience of a craft.

I arrange comfortable accommodation with all amenities so that you can fully enjoy the day which is sometimes taken in, to us, quite primitive conditions. I also arrange a full cultural program visiting museums, archeological sites, markets, local attractions and of course tasting the traditional cuisine.

The tours are suitable for everybody and are not physically exacting. You do not need to be proficient in any craft but you do need to be really interested in textiles and willing to learn more.

GHANA

Kente - Adinkra - Brass Casting - Glass Beads

February 26 - March 10 2012

In this safest, most friendly and unspoilt of African countries there will be workshops in kente weaving, adinkra printing, brass casting and glass bead workshops.

The tour starts in Accra and after a day visiting the city and Art Centre we go by private coach to Kumasi. On the way we visit Abompe and see how bauxite beads are made and have a chance at sifting for gold. In Kumasi we visit surrounding villages for workshops in Kente weaving, Adinkra printing and brass casting by the lost wax process. There will be a full cultural program including a visit to a durbar of the King of Ashanti.

We then travel to the glass bead making area of Odumase Krobo, visit the bead market at Koforidua and have a day workshop in making glass beads. We return to Accra for the flight home.

Accomodation is in twin bedded rooms with modern conveniences, with breakfast and lunches provided, and all transport by private coach.

Cost £1395 (excluding international flights)

Email janet@endsoftheearth.co.uk for full itinerary

Laos/Thailand

Silk, Cotton, Hilltribe Embroideries

Spinning, Weaving, Dyeing and Papermaking

27th November - 12th December 2011

The tour starts in Ventiane (the capital of Laos) where we visit silk weavers, have a full day workshop in tye dyeing with vegetable dyes and weaving in silk. Visit markets and Buddhist temples. Then travel by private coach through the most beautiful mountain scenery to the world heritage site of Louang Prabang. Here we visit silk and cotton weavers and have workshops in silk weaving and dyeing with lac and papermaking. Again we visit markets and gleaming temples and the old palace.

We then travel for three days (one day by boat on the river Mekong) through a mountainous region to the Thai border in the north. On the way go to villages of minority groups such as the Thai Lu, Hmong, Khmu and Tia Dam. In Thailand stay in Nan and visit Tai Lu weavers and Hilltribe villages of this area that specialise in batik and embroidery. Visit Yao silver craft village and see silver smiths at work. Travel to Chiangmai, the "crafts capital of the East"and spend a day visiting this lovely city before flying out of Chiangmai international airport.

Stay in traditional guesthouses with modern conveniences in twin bedded rooms. Experiment with Eastern cuisine,, visit cultural events and try an eastern massage!

Cost £1295 (excluding arrival and departure flights)