TAFA Market Focus: Ekohaus

TAFA is having its first public event during the AQS Quilt Show in Paducah.  We are excited to introduce TAFA to the public at large and are hoping to raise funds for our new website.   We have a silent auction and raffle, both available to online participants and a member exhibit and vendors.   These are ways in which you can donate to support our efforts.  This blog will feature the works and vendors during the time leading up to our show.  You can see all of the TAFA Market posts in one place by clicking on this link. 

Today's TAFA Market focus zooms in on:

EKOHAUS

Visit Ekohaus on TAFA!

Handmade wool slippers by EKOHAUS:  Precious Sweet Milky White shoes / slippers with removable felted wool flower pins

Dovile Sirmulyte, one of our newer TAFA members, joined in March and jumped right in.  She has sent the four pairs of her felted wool shoes for our TAFA Market, all the way from Lithuania!  Dovile describes her shoes:

My felted shoes are made from 100% natural wool. For excellent performance of the wool, my shoes are very soft, lightweight and comfortable. In addition, wool naturally resists microbial proliferation, protects from bacteria and neutralizes odors. Since ancient times it was believed that the wool is similar to acupuncture: it has pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory and body-enhancing properties.

I had a commercial pair that I wore all winter and do believe this is true about wool.  They never stank and seemed to stay clean, even in a house with dogs...

EKOHAUS:  Wool shoes with Eco value!  Turquoise Blue White Wool Felted Flat Shoes

Dovile says that she became inspired to work with wool after she found her great-grandmother's spinning wheel and a chest full of wool in an attic.  The genes kicked in, she started experimenting and now she has a beautiful line of hand-crafted wool shoes which she sells on Etsy, her blog and Bonanza.

The shoes are all hand made of felted wool according to ancient Lithuanian traditions using only natural sheep wool, hot water and natural soap.  They are non slippery because the sole is covered with latex. 

EKOHAUS Lithuanian Felted Slippers:  Ladybird Pastel Red White shoes/slippers with removable felted wool flower pins

As I have gotten older, my feet have also gotten crankier, demanding comfortable footware.  I have mukluks from Afghanistan that I also wear a lot in the cold weather.  It is just wonderful to know that someone made these things by hand!  I am curious to see these in real life and hope that just maybe, one of them is big enough for an old Viking with big feet!  If not, I am sure that Dovile can make me a pair in my favorite colors, just my size.  She does have a lot of offerings to pick from in her Etsy shop, so make sure you take a look there first before placing a special order.

EKOHAUS Shoes: Clear Minimalistic Style Peach Salmon and Gray Wool

It thrills me to see TAFA grow in its international representation, bringing so many talented people like Dovile together into one creative place.  I honor her path, her exploration of her traditions, giving continuance to her great-grandmother's story and handwork, while she also personalizes it with a contemporary translation.  She is young and has all of her eggs in a row.  My hope is that all of us can support her as she grows in her vision.  Shop EKOHAUS!