November 20-27 (Thanksgiving week): From Fiber to Fabric at Lake Atitlán

We're excited to repeat a new itinerary we started in 2021. Now even more fine-tuned after last year's successful itinerary in collaboration with our local dyeing and weaving partners. We had such a great time slowing down and dedicating attention to processes and people. Looking forward to another fantastic week! Read about one of the group leaders, Kelly Moe-Rossetto, to find out why we're so excited to have her onboard.

Learn from beginning to end the traditional handmade processes involved for textile production:

• Growing organic cotton (including heirloom ixcaco)
• Spinning cotton using a "malacate," a traditional drop spindle
• Dyeing with natural dyes (plants and cochineal)
• Visit a local cochineal farm
• Designing and making warp ikat patterns by hand
• Setting up a backstrap loom
• Backstrap weaving (plain weave). The finished loom is for you to take home and continue weaving!

 

• Five nights at Lake Atitlán, two nights (one before and one after) in Antigua
• Small group workshops and one-on-one instruction in open-air settings, with COVID safety in mind.
• Local tamales-cooking class for Thanksgiving Day

Min 6 pax (already met for November 2022)

 

      

 

Interested? Please let me know via email at mari@kakawdesigns.com

JULY 2022:

A new concept based comfortably in Antigua Guatemala. Mornings are filled with creative hands-on workshops, afternoons are free for exploring the beautiful town we call home. Come learn from our partner master makers in a safe small-group setting, with workshops held in our open-air courtyard and other open areas. This is a great option for the independently-minded traveler who enjoys taking some time on their own to explore and take it all in. The slow pace will allow for plenty of creative happenings!

Min 4 pax / Max 6 pax

COVID-19 vaccination required to participate.

 

NOVEMBER 2022:

November 6-14: Antigua Area and Ixil Triangle Textile Exploration

UPDATE May 2022: Full!

A new itinerary by request! This trip will be lead by Aiko Kobayashi (she's my mom 😉), who has decades of experience visiting and leading groups to this region, and Kakaw manager Evelyn Arévalo. The Ixil region is very remote, and it will be a treat to be able to travel together in a small-group setting as these towns and villages are usually quite difficult to reach as well as coordinate for visits.

• Five nights total in the Ixil Triangle area (2 in San Juan Cotzal, 1 in Nebaj, 2 at an active dairy farm in Acul)
• 3 nights in Antigua (2 before and 1 after the Ixil visit)
• Visit with local weaving cooperatives in San Juan Cotzal and Chajul
• Local market visits with COVID safety in mind, including Chajul and Chichicastenango
• Boxbol cooking class - a regional vegetarian delicacy!
• Chajul-style pompom making in Antigua, learn how to wear the headdress
• Backstrap weaving with your own loom to take home in San Antonio Aguas Calientes with master weaver Doña Lidia López
• Pepián cooking (and eating!) with Doña Lidia and family
• Potential other workshops and visits TBD

Min 6 pax / Max 8 pax

 

COVID-19 vaccination required to participate.