Freeform hats and bags by Rensfibreart
TAFA: The Textile and Fiber Art List was launched in February, 2010. As it has grown, now over 200 members, so have the members who have Etsy shops. About half of us use Etsy as our retail platform. We decided to organize as an Etsy Team (a program Etsy has for sellers to organize under themes or locations) and set up a blog where we can talk about what is important to us and where we can show off our shops. The blog has eight pages of shops, divided into themes and serves as our Team Catalog. Although many of us sell things that do not fit neatly into those categories, most of us do have a focus. I am introducing each of those categories here, hoping that this will encourage you to go over there and shop, shop, shop, until you drop! These eight pages have over 100 shops, filled with wonderful eye candy that will surely delight anyone who appreciates all the many techniques and traditions that are found in the needle and textile arts.
Vintage Miao textile incorporated into a bag, by dazzlinglanna
Picking images for this post is not an easy task as there are so many beautiful pieces in our Jewelry and Accessories page. This is one of the places where you can really see how people are exploring techniques and interpreting them into their own designs. You will find functional items like scarves, bags, purses, hats, cuffs, gloves, necklaces and bracelets. Our members are felting, dyeing, painting on silk, reclaiming old textiles and fabrics, knitting, beading, weaving and of course, sewing.
Hagar of Gilgulim recycles old ties into beautiful jewelry.
TAFA is an international organization, exemplified by our members on this page. Hagar is Israeli, Jutamas of Dazzling Lanna lives in Thailand, Rosemary of Plumfish Creations and Renate are both in Australia, Morgen of Inkyspider is Canadian, Marina hails from Puerto Rico, Inese is in Latvia, Dolapo of Urban Knit is in the United Kingdom, Lilou works with weavers in Cambodia and so on. Of course, quite a few are based here in the United States. The diversity of our members, both in the techniques they are exploring and their cultural influences makes for a fascinating collection of colors, textures, and designs.
Lilou, a fair trade group working with weavers in Cambodia.
The big challenge for all of us is that nobody really "needs" anything we are selling. And, in this awful economy, buyers have been tightening their belts and holding on to their money. Yet, is not beauty something that our spirits crave? An accessory from one of our shops will certainly cost a lot more than a bauble that is sold at Walmart. But, the right scarf, hat or necklace can not only finish off an outfit and make it complete, but also makes a statement of support for the worldwide handmade community. It ties us to our historical roots represented by the techniques we promote through our work.
Wraps by Inese, our TAFA member in Latvia
Click here to visit our Jewelry and Accessories Page in our TAFA Team Catalog of Shops.
And, while you are there, click on the other tabs to see our other Team member shops. We aim to be the best in textiles and fiber art on Etsy!
All TAFA Team members are also members of TAFA: The Textile and Fiber Art List.
Interested in membership? Click here for more information.
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