Otovalo Market - Textile Heaven
Fabiola Sanchez is differnet than other designer/weavers in Otovalo, and I found her work irresistible. After walking all over the market Friday and Saturday, and seeing many typical designs of oranges and red geometric patterns I went back to get the lobos. When I first saw them, an old man was working that booth. When I returned, I met the artist herself, Fabiola, who said her designs were unique in the market, something I had already decided. I loved the whimsy and the colors. Even if they aren´t typical , they are done by a local artist, and that´s enough for me.
Fabiola says it takes her one day to make these lobos (wolves). She does it by hand on a loom, which is typical of the artisans in this region. Complicated designs can take many days.
Right next door to her was another designer/weaver - Segundo. I also bought some of his work, which also seemed different and better than most of what I saw.
I made it home with just $10 in my pocket, which means I did a lot of shopping. Lots. Here´s a few sights and scenes from my day in Otovalo, the most famous and largest market in Ecuador.
Oh Lilli! What a find you found in Fabiola and Segundo’s work! Love the pictures of their pieces, can’t wait to see what you picked to bring home. The better question might be how are you going to get it all in your bags to bring back?!? Will this be the bulk of your shopping on this trip or are there other places you’ll be exploring? And you haven’t mentioned the food! Please, please tell us about the food!
Love,
Aurora
Comment by Aurora — June 12, 2006 @ 7:44 pm
Very pretty, Lilli. Love the colors.
Donnie
Comment by Donnie — June 12, 2006 @ 8:09 pm
hi, lilli
glad you brought a camera
although your words descbibe equally well
what are you eating
where are you sleeping
skye
Comment by skye moorhead — June 13, 2006 @ 9:51 am
Lilli,
Thank you for sharing your journey. Your writing captures it so beautifully. I look forward to reading each entry.
Christine
Comment by Christine Sullivan — June 13, 2006 @ 10:41 am
Was the pig lunch, or your lunch companion!
Comment by Jan Bauer — June 14, 2006 @ 11:08 am