TAFA Market Focus: The Loaded Trunk

A pile of ikat from The Loaded Trunk

TAFA is having its first public event during the AQS Quilt Show in Paducah.  We are excited to introduce TAFA to the public at large and are hoping to raise funds for our new website.   We have a silent auction and raffle, both available to online participants and a member exhibit and vendors.   These are ways in which you can donate to support our efforts.  This blog will feature the works and vendors during the time leading up to our show.  You can see all of the TAFA Market posts in one place by clicking on this link. 

Today's TAFA Market focus zooms in on:

The Loaded Trunk

Visit the Loaded Trunk's Member Profile on TAFA

Piles and piles of textiles!  I close my eyes an can see it all in my head: those woven, sewn, dyed, and appliqued beauties from all over the world.  I open my eyes and see many of them in my own home.  Those of us who love them, are passionate about them.  Roni Jaco, has loaded her trunks full of them and shares them on her website and soon in our TAFA Market.

I found The Loaded Trunk by accident, searching for something else.  As I explored the site, I just knew that this site had to be represented on TAFA.  Roni joined and since then, we have talked on the phone, she will be coming to Paducah next week, and I just know that there is one more friendship in the making.

Vintage Hmong textiles made into a fun bag by The Loaded Trunk.

Roni and I are both "MKs".  In Roni's case that means "military kid" and in mine, "missionary kid".  She grew up all over the world and I grew up in Brazil.  A friend of mine here in Paducah, Paul Bilak, who also had a multi-cultural background, says that there is actually a term for us, "children of the 4th World", meaning that we have more in common with each other than any two kids who grew up in the same culture, even if we didn't grow up in the same country.  It must be true because when I was in college, those of us who were the "displaced" Americans, huddled in with the international students, all kind of bonding in the face of this big, new culture.  We might later diverge in our paths, but for that first experience, we knew each other even without really understanding the full context of our past histories.

Roni came to textiles and imports after years of working in the wine industry.  She travels all over the world to find things that move her and that she can then share with others.  The white girl with red hair surely makes an impression wherever she goes!

Roni Jaco selecting ralli quilts.

Buying in small quantities, Roni works hard to find the unique, well made, and interesting pieces.  Many of the vintage textiles that have been so collectible are quickly disappearing as countries industrialize or are even ravaged by war.  New textiles also encourage the continued production of ancient techniques.  She has both.

Vintage Hmong belt accents a contemporary pillow, The Loaded Trunk.

Not sure how to display older textiles in your home?  Roni incorporates remnants and textiles into finished pillows, throws and other functional items, all ready for use.  She has a great eye for design and will also be bringing quite a bit of jewelry that she has made or designed:

Jewelry by The Loaded Trunk

So, if you are coming to Paducah for the Quilt Show and our TAFA Market, be prepared!  I just have a feeling you might be leaving with a loaded trunk of your own!

TAFA Market Focus: The Loaded Trunk