ALL ABOUT YOUR BAG
If you have recently purchased a silk bag from us, here is where you can find out all you want to know about it.
Your bag has been on a long journey, starting from the humble silk worm that feeds on the mulberry bush of the korat plateau in Thailand, to the cooler shores of Kent in the uk. Your bag has Travelled more than 10,300 kms to be with you. (Thats 6,400 miles)
Here is where your bags life first began, in the tropical korat plateau, and the very type of tree.
(Above) The Fields of the Northern Korat Plateau
(Above)- The mulberry Tree (Below)- The fruit of the tree
To begin with, the silk is collected from a very special type of silk worm that feeds exclusively on the leaves of the mulberry bush, this is one of the most sought after and luxurious types of silk in the world. Famed for its softness, durability, and the way it shimmers when coloured.
Above is one of the leaves from the very type of tree that the little silk worm exclusively feeds on. This is what makes Thai mulberry silk one of the most expensive in the world. The Silk worms feed on the large leaves for 1 month before forming a cocoon from their spittle.
Next the cocoons are collected and placed in to warm water, the thread (filament) is then slowly and carefully unravelled, Each cocoon has a thread that is about 2000 feet long (Thats almost an amazing Half a mile per cocoon)
The silk Threads are then cut to lengths of about 20 meters and folded over and secured with ties at the end before being naturally died and hung out to dry in the baking hot sunshine. The colouring process usually involves several colouring sessions to get those famous rich colours.
Finally, once the thread has been coloured and dried, it is then collected and taken indoors where it is placed on a handloom and woven. The use of a handloom yields better results than machine made, a softer silk is created this way.The Bags Beginning.
Once the silk has been created, it is taken to local markets and trader shops where it is then sold to Factories, families and artisans who create the most luxurious silk goods in the world. This is the second step in the life of your bag- By now its already been forming for almost 2 weeks.
Your bags formation is designed on very traditional designs that have been influenced by the Hmong hill tribes of northern Thailand, A design that has been popular with the Thai's for centuries. To begin with, your bag begins to take shape in small family run businesses, The basis of the bag are made from 100% hand crafted Thai Drill Cotton. Drill cotton is the heaviest and sturdiest of all cottons known. Drill cotton is cooler and softer to touch than mixed cotton (The coolness comes in handy in helping keep drinks cool in the heat)
The parts of the bag are cut to perfection, and then delicately hand crafted, Thai's are if nothing but perfectionists when it comes to the art of creating goods. By now the silk will have arrived, it is thoroughly checked before use to ensure its of the highest grade, and then in various styles, hand sewn into, and on to the bag.
2 types of silk are used traditionally. There is the light and airy mulberry silk, and the heavy weave mulberry silk. Once the silks are attatched to the bag, there is usually some beautiful hand embroidery added. This will range from elephants to orchids, sequins to beading, traditional patterns to modern designs. Lastly, inner zip pockets are added, and the bags coco wood closure buttons are put in place.
Its Almost Ready.
The last step in your bag being with you involves 2 very important people in Thailand. The first one is Khun Krichpeth, He deals with the ordering and purchasing of the bags from small family run businesses.
It is important that these types of producers are used, it enables family run businesses to thrive and keep the true talents alive. Factories are fast helping the art of hand crafting become a thing of the past, they are also forcing families to give up as they cannot compete with the prices of these places.
We actually pay above the normal price for our goods, this really ensures that we recieve the very best quality, design and style. It also helps the small businesses to expand and bloom in their field. It also gives the older generation a better quality of life whilst helping them pass down the traditional methods to the younger members, who in turn keep the tradition alive.
We do not buy in bulk, and we never commision more than 100 items per month. This gives the workers more time to relax and create stunning piece.
The 2nd person involved is P'Noy. She deals with the importing side. If it was not for her, chances are your bag would still be sat in the heat of Thailand, and not gorgeously hung from your shoulder.
By buying your bag, you have not only got yourself a stunning work of art, you have also helped support local trade in Thailand where it is needed the most.
So congratulations on your purchase, and on behalf of those who have created it for you, Thank you.