I’m only in Mexico for a short time, so we’re trying to get as much new experiments with the material done as possible, but with craftsmen that can be a challenge. They work when it suits them and decide their own tempo, so even if you’ve made an appointment it’s taken quite flexibly and you can’t always be sure what to expect. Luckily this lesson was learned early when we were just starting Anudando a year and a half ago, so now we always have a plan B for when something doesn’t go as planned. 

So we were a bit disappointed, but not too surprised when we turned up at Don Tito’s (one of the weavers) with yarns in new color combinations and designs we wanted to try out with him, to find there was no warp on his loom. We discussed our plans with him and agreed to come back in two days and made use of our time in another way. But when we came back it was worth it. Don Tito was ready and liked the colors we brought and he was weaving away on our new sample in no time. 

It’s important to us to let the people who produce our products play a role in the design process. I try to make sure my designs are clear, but not too precise, so the craftsmen can interpret them in their own way. We set a few specific requirements, but other than that, we leave it up to them to control the outcomes. So while he was weaving we discussed my designs for patterns with Don Tito, and he started applying some wonderful techniques to create texture in the fabric. It’s an amazing experience to see in real time what happens when we combine our expertise and create something greater than either of us could have on our own. 

Just a few more nights and I’ll be on a plane to Mexico!!! I can barely believe a year and a half have already passed (flown!) by since I first went there. It was an incredible adventure to pack my plastic bags, self-spun yarns and textile samples and take them to a country across the world I'd never been to, to help start a social design enterprise with someone I'd never met in person. 

It was only the start of a bigger adventure. In the time that has passed Precious Waste has been taking on a life of its own in the hands of a growing team of Mexican craftspeople led by Raquel Sereno Rivas. We named the enterprise Anudando (knotted), symbolizing the new ties we are trying to make between craft and design, waste and resource, tradition. A first line of products called Renacimiento has been developed and is now being sold in Mexico. 

The first time I came to Mexico, Raquel and I searched for adventurous craftspeople who’d dare to take a risk and work with a used plastic bags instead of the materials they traditionally use. We were happy to meet a number of incredible people, who were open to experiment and have been working with us ever since. They’ve gotten to know the “Precious Waste” material very well and I think I could say they’re even more experienced with the material than I am at this point! 

So this time around I’ll be taking a new look at the opportunities that hide in the techniques our weavers, crocheters and basket makers use. Now that everyone is comfortable and confident using this unique material, we can explore more deeply how this combines with the uniqueness of their craft and how the two can strengthen each other. I hope to collaboratively create beautiful and useful artisanal objects that will appeal to markets our craftspeople didn’t reach before. 

Keep your eyes on the blog in the next few weeks to see how the project develops.

Hasta la vista!

Michelle