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About
Thailand's Vinita orchestrates shimmering purple-grey and red-burgundy hues for the design of this scarf. Dyed by hand, the scarf is woven of hand-spun natural silk, resulting in a coarser texture.
Product details
- 19 grams
- 0.67 oz
- 164.0 cm L x 31.0 cm W
- 65" L x 12.25" W
Meet the artist
When asked about any challenges to overcome, I would say that I never have any obstacles. I think I do what I can do and don't force things that aren't ready or things that I cannot do.'
"Hello, My name is Vinita Tongtawat. My first name comes from the combination of my father's (Pinit) and my mother's (Viboonwan) names. Although my name is not defined in the dictionary, I'm very proud of this name. It is the name given by my parents with their love. I was born in Lampang, then moved on to study in Chiang Mai and when I finished high school, I went to study at the College of Fine Arts in Bangkok and completed my bachelor's degree at the Faculty of Fine Art, Silpakorn University. Here I discovered my true identity — I express myself through tangible art, especially by creating unique colors with batik apparel.
"My thesis was on batik textiles with a very good combination of colors. It was very beautiful and lively. My work was selected for publication on a pamphlet for The Student's Thesis Work. Much of my beautiful work was purchased by Austrians. All of my pieces selected for exhibition were sold out. I was very grateful for the success I achieved through this.
"After graduating in 1983, I married my husband who was a student at my same university. I started to work for a home décor company in Bangkok as a designer. By 1989, we had a small son and daughter, and we decided to follow our dreams for our children to grow in a land of peace, beauty and with a simple lifestyle. Chiang Mai is the city that offered us what we were looking for, plus it is also the center Thai of handicrafts so I started working for a big exporter of saa paper when we moved here.
"I worked there for some time and then I quit to start my own venture focusing on textile arts. I have the ability to make a good selection of colors for dyeing fibers. The color combinations are beautiful and definitely reflect my identity as well. At the beginning, I studied the color absorbing qualities of each type of fiber in order to get beautiful, stable colors. Some fabrics require pretreatment before dyeing. After that, I started dyeing fabric by doing a few pieces at a time, boiling them in a small old pot.
"Once I made sure that I could get beautiful and stable colors, then I started to experiment with techniques to add texture to the fabric, like waxed batik, tie-dye and stitching. I constantly produce new colors to complete my stock. My designs received good response from people who loved my work. They started to place orders.
"I started with a small pot for dyeing and eventually moved to a big pan with a diameter about the spread of human arms. The one important thing for me is to always mix the dyeing colors myself to get the right color. Before dyeing, I check every piece of fabric to make sure that it is good quality with no defect at all.
"Since I studied art, the very first lot of my production reflected quite a lot about myself. I sometimes forget to think about the market demand. My client was trying to help by telling what the market trend was. I tried to change and produce to meet the needs of the market.
"I am very happy with what I have achieved so far. When asked about any challenges to overcome, I would say that I never have any obstacles. I think I do what I can do and don't force things that aren't ready or things that I cannot do. That way my work can run smoothly.
"Every day, the first thing I do in the morning is pay my respects to Buddha. Then I walk to the small garden at the center of my house, prepare breakfast, chat with family, then go to work. My husband has a small studio where he paints. I have a small area for my fabric work. I'm getting older now and my venture is stable, and I have my daughter who graduated from art school as well to help me take care it.
"Now I have more time to work on what I love — waxed drawing and coloring to make batik. It is the same art work I did when I was studying. My family is a family of artists, my husband and my children are art graduates. When we are together, it is a very happy time. Our happiness is expressed in our art work. Now my daughter and I have joined you. Hopefully we will get a warm welcome from all of you. Thank you."
This item was handmade in Thailand by NOVICA artisan borrowers. Kiva lenders have helped these artisans stock up on materials, buy more tools and grow their businesses.
This item qualifies for FREE SHIPPING!
- Only valid on the Normal shipping option for shipments to 48 Lower US states.
- Discounted shipping price may not be applied to previous orders.
This item ships with a free artist storycard, so you can remember who you impacted today. Customized gift messages are also available with every order.
We want you to be 100% satified with your order, so if you are not completely happy with your item, you can return it within 60 days of receiving it.
Return instructions
We pack, ship, certify and 100% guarantee the quality of this item. Watch this video to see how.
This item is available for backorder and will ship within 2 to 4 weeks. Artists love to get backorders. Placing a backorder ensures that the artisan will do their best to create and deliver your item to our local office for shipment.
Although we cannot guarantee availability, we do expect to be able to fill the order within the timeframe indicated. But sometimes life happens - special materials may not be immediately available to the artist, or there might be some other circumstance beyond our control that could delay the shipment.
If for any reason we are unable to ship the item within the timeframe indicated, we will notify you.
This item has a special shipping flat fee which means that due to bulk, duties, or other special requirements, the item will be shipped to you via one of our special one-rate services. Shipping is only available to the United States (lower 48 States only).
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We refer to these items as "discounted wholesale". Such items carry a deeper wholesale discount than other items, and have greater potential to provide your business with healthier resale margins.
Triple 'Win' Pricing
Kiva Store offers triple win pricing, where YOU the consumer, Children from around the world, and Artisans all benefit.
WIN # 1 You Save!
Handmade goods from developing nations usually pass through a series of intermediaries before being purchased by retail consumers. Each of these intermediaries adds cost to the product, and that cost is passed on to the customer. The U.S. Fund for Kiva partnered with NOVICA, who works directly with artists through their regional offices in Asia, Africa and Latin America, allowing purchases from Kiva Store to go directly from the artisans to fulfilling customer orders. By skipping steps in the traditional supply chain, you can buy high quality items for less than the regular retail prices.
WIN # 2 Children Benefit!
Each item purchased from Kiva Store will benefit Kiva's programmes that provide lifesaving nutrition, medicine, education, clean water, emergency relief and more to children in need.
You can learn more about Kiva's work, on About Kiva.
WIN # 3 Artisans Profit!
Kiva Store artisans set their own prices and control their own businesses. Kiva Store offers artisans a free platform to sell their work throughout the United States.
Turn your gift-giving into an art form with our new premium gift wrapping service!
Delivering a beautiful handmade treasure, wrapped by hand in exquisite packaging will make your gifts truly unforgettable.
Above all, it's EASY! Just select the premium gift wrapping option during checkout and we do the rest. No more last minute worries about presentation - your gifts will be the best dressed every time!
Most premium gift wrap is only $3.95 - $5.95 per item.
Triple 'Win' Pricing
Kiva Store offers triple win pricing, where YOU the consumer, Children from around the world, and Artisans all benefit.
WIN # 1 You Save!
Handmade goods from developing nations usually pass through a series of intermediaries before being purchased by retail consumers. Each of these intermediaries adds cost to the product, and that cost is passed on to the customer. The U.S. Fund for Kiva partnered with NOVICA, who works directly with artists through their regional offices in Asia, Africa and Latin America, allowing purchases from Kiva Store to go directly from the artisans to fulfilling customer orders. By skipping steps in the traditional supply chain, you can buy high quality items for less than the regular retail prices.
WIN # 2 Children Benefit!
Each item purchased from Kiva Store will benefit Kiva's programmes that provide lifesaving nutrition, medicine, education, clean water, emergency relief and more to children in need.
You can learn more about Kiva's work, on About Kiva.
WIN # 3 Artisans Profit!
Kiva Store artisans set their own prices and control their own businesses. Kiva Store offers artisans a free platform to sell their work throughout the United States.
If an item is marked with a red bow, then it is guaranteed for delivery before Holiday, and will arrive by end of day on December 25th if ordered today. This only applies to orders with a delivery address within the continental USA.