Spruce Up Your Space With A Hand-Knotted Rug: Ten Thousand Villages Hosts Annual Event, By Suzy Nastaskin
Some of the most exquisite art displayed in homes can be found underfoot in the form of intricate rugs. In addition to providing comfort, warmth and noise reduction, the right rug serves as a grounding statement piece that completes the look of a room.
Area residents can enhance their home décor by visiting the annual fair-trade rug event at Ten Thousand Villages, March 10-12 at Crafted in San Pedro, March 17-19 at American Martyrs Church in Manhattan Beach, and March 23 – April 1 at the Redondo Beach store.
The event will feature hand-crafted Tribal, Bokhara, Persian and other rugs from Bunyaad, a fair-trade company that works with 850 artisan families in roughly 100 villages throughout Pakistan. The artisans produce high-quality, hand-knotted rugs in their homes using specialized skills handed down through generations.
"These rugs are much more than just amazing pieces of art for your floors. They represent lives changed through fair trade, because every Bunyaad rug artisan earns a living wage,” said Yousaf Chaman, Bunyaad Director “We know that with every rug we sell, we are empowering women, fueling artisan's creativity and preserving their cultural heritage.”
Bunyaad guarantees a fair wage for their artisans, a rarity in a rural economy that normally leaves people in very uncertain financial circumstances. And because artisans are paid per knot, rather than by speed, they are inspired to make high quality, high knot count pieces.
The security of a fair income is especially important for women in the villages, who typically have very little opportunity for employment. Work on the looms in their homes gives women year-round stable employment, increased financial independence and a chance to contribute to the success of their family. They are able to send their children to school and plan for the future, all with a sense of pride.
Hundreds of rugs will be on display and available for purchase at these unique events, including intricate Persian florals, jewel-toned Bokharas and hand-spun natural dye wool tribals. The rugs come in sizes from 2’x3’ to 10’x14’.
Prior to choosing your rug, it’s helpful to measure your room as well as the area you would want your rug to cover. Large rugs are impressive while smaller rugs can be more versatile. Be flexible in sizing and you will increase the number of rugs to choose from.
When you visit the rug event, bring swatches of materials and upholstery, paint chips and pillows to help you choose a rug that will blend with your decor. Keep in mind however that a hand-knotted rug will last for generations, while your furniture, upholstery and home will change.
Consider rugs that speak to you, rather than one that simply matches its surroundings, and be open to taking rugs home on approval to see how they look in your home.
"We know our community wants to make a positive mark in this world by purchasing their rugs where it makes a true difference for the families crafting them," said Tom Hoffarth, one of the founders of Ten Thousand Villages in the South Bay. "It's a benefit to both sides. Artisans in Pakistan earn a living wage while expressing their creativity and our customers get an excellent quality rug made ethically and sustainably."
Ten Thousand Villages’ maker-to-market fair trade stores seek to break the cycle of global poverty and ignite social change. The non-profit stores sell items hand-crafted by artisans in developing countries who would otherwise struggle to earn a living. Ten Thousand Villages San Pedro is located inside Crafted at the Port of Los Angeles: 112 E 22nd St #173, www.villagescrafted.com. Ten Thousand Villages Redondo Beach is located in the Riviera Village at 1907 S Catalina Ave, (310) 465-1600, www. villagesredondo.com.
Suzy Nastaskin was born and raised in the South Bay and worked for many years in public relations in Southern California and New York City.
