Artisan textiles and crafts are often talked about in terms of technique, beauty and functionality. But what about the artisan mindset? In this episode, Kitzia Barrera, co-founder of Innovando la Tradicion and Colectivo 1050º, discusses her work with the pottery masters of Mexico. Oaxaca’s iindigenous potters practice a craft and an approach to living that is profoundly wise and sophisticated, and very applicable to challenges we face today. Kitzia shares her experience and encourages us to listen, pay attention and learn from these preeminent artisans and designers of a sustainable lifestyle.

Read more on our blog: https://www.ockpoptok.com/blog/indigenous-pottery-oaxaca/

For more information on Kitzia and Colectivo 1050º, visit: www.1050grados.com

Follow on Instagram: @ colectivo1050grados

Get in touch: [email protected]

Travel with us to Dzongsar, Tibet and meet the intriguing Dawa Drolma. A filmmaker and storyteller, Dawa Drolma helps her father and brother run the Khyenle Arts Center. “Khyenle” refers to a specific alloy and technique used to make lama bronze statues. Incredibly intricate, lama bronze statues are imbued with spiritual qualities revered by Tibetans Buddhists and monasteries around the world. “Khyenle” was developed in the early 19th century by the first Khyentse Rinpoche, the spiritual head of Dzongsar Monastery and passed on to Dawa’s family who are continuing the tradition, taking on apprentices and working to uplift the community through crafts.

Read more on our blog: https://www.ockpoptok.com/blog/khyenle-bronze-spirituality/

Find out more about Khyenle Arts Center at www.khyenle.com

Follow Khyenle on Instagram @khyenle

Email us your comments & feedback at [email protected]

The Moroccan carpet is iconic. It’s flooded the marketplace, but the makers of these textiles have not necessarily benefited. Correcting the transactions, perceptions and values that drive this imbalance is at the core of Artisan Project, a craft and design studio founded and run by Nina Mohammad Galbert. In this episode, Nina discusses her work with weavers in Fes and the Middle Atlas, explains how to buy ethically and illuminates why carpets are seen as “baraka” or blessing among the Amazigh, or Berber, communities in the Atlas Mountains.

Read more on our blog: https://www.ockpoptok.com/blog/moroccan-carpet-ethical/

To learn more about Artisan Project, visit: www.artisanprojectinc.com

Follow Artisan Project & Nina’s adventures on IG: @artisanproject

Share your thoughts: [email protected]

Bibi Hanum founder Muyaho Aliyeva takes us on a journey on the Silk Road, illuminating the rich history of “adras” or Uzbeki ikat and the importance of empowering women in her country.

Read more on our blog: https://www.ockpoptok.com/blog/ikat-empowering-women-silk-road/

Visit Bibi Hanum’s website: https://bibihanum.com/

Bookhou Studio co-founder Arounna Khounnaraj is credited with making crafting cool, fun and accessible, and she’s got legions of fans around the world! An enthusiastic advocate of all things handmade, Arounna Khounnaraj is happiest when she is making, teaching workshops and composing beautifully written and photographed books on crafting and mending.

Read more on our blog: https://www.ockpoptok.com/blog/crafting-mending-bookhou/

Visit Bookhou: https://www.bookhou.com/

Kavita Parmar, founder and creative director of I OWE YOU Project, discusses the need for a new design ecosystem. And, she shares her love affair with the Madras check and her vision for how each of us must “be the change”.

Read more on our blog: https://www.ockpoptok.com/blog/kavita-parmar-design-ecosystem-change/

Visit the project here: https://ioweyou.cc/

Weaver, designer, textile innovator Ploenchanh “Mook” Vinyaratn uses traditional handlooms and needlework to create modern, multi-dimensional textiles for handbags under her label MookV. She shares her process, the challenges in the marketplace and her relentless passion and optimism for artisan textiles.

Read more on our blog: https://www.ockpoptok.com/blog/meet-mookv-textile-innovator/

Visit MookV's website: https://www.mookv.com/