Houaphan Love Gift

Why you’ll love it: It’s a best-seller because the small, easy to pack silk textile is the work of master weavers and conveys the hopes and dreams of the weaver. Made in Houaphan, it is extra special…

Price:

$22.00

Out of stock

Out of stock

Description

Love Gifts, or pha khan mon in Lao, are symbolic gifts given by a young weaver to her crush or romantic partner. During the war years, love gifts were sent off by mothers and sisters to sons and brothers on the frontlines as a reminder of home and as a symbol of love and protection.

Given their size, love gifts are a perfect starter piece for young weavers to practice and weave complicated motifs. One of our most popular pieces at Ock Pop Tok, this is a perfect gift for your loved ones or begin your collection of Lao textiles.

These love gifts are woven by master weavers in the Houaphan province, and each one takes about 10 hours to complete. Framed against a solid (silk) background, it can be displayed as a work of art that it is!

Due to their handmade features, size, color and motifs vary greatly with this piece. 

In December 2020, Ock Pop Tok organized a training* for 15 weavers from eight villages. Led by Lear, Ock Pop Tok’s Head of Design and Production, we helped them refine their weaving skills, improve their pattern design and color selection to create textiles for the high-end luxury market. For years, we’ve been building a relationship with this market, creating and nurturing a sense of appreciation for this refined work. These women are thus able to get a higher level of income and be remunerated like the high-skilled artisans they are. 

This training was financed by the Handicraft Skills for Tourism Small Grants Facility, an initiative of the Skills for Tourism Project (LAO/029) which is financed by the government of Lao PDR, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and Switzerland, and implemented by the Ministry of Education and Sports of Lao PDR and LuxDev, the Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency.

Additional information

Weight70 g

Made by:

Made by Tai Daeng
Tai Daeng

Learn about the Village Weavers Project!

Play Video

You might also be interested in:

Chess Scarf

Finally, a chess game anyone can win! An original design from Ock Pop Tok, this silk scarf is made using Eri silk. Often known as peace silk or vegan silk, the collection of this silk does not harm any living creature. The threads are extracted from the cocoon only after

Tapestry Bucket Bag

Organic cotton, naturally-dyed with indigo, this bucket bag is a result of our collaboration with Tai Lue artisans in Luang Prabang’s Nambak district. The weavers there are expert indigo dyers and masters at the tapestry technique which allows incredible rich texture and patterns. We regularly co-design products with the artisans

$53.00
Heua Phae Rainbow Scarf

The Heua Phae Rainbow Scarf is inspired by the festival of light that happens around October time. The festival is celebrated with candlelight processions and the release of floating bamboo offerings into the Mekong River. Heua Phae means raft in Laos. The warp is rayon. We have set it up

Palm Tree Laptop Bag

Ock Pop Tok means “east meets west” and the design and making of this collection of bags reflects our “heritage meets innovation” ethos. The leaf (Palm Tree) and diamond pattern are traditional motifs typically made using multiple colors. Our contemporary monochrome version - inspired from traditional Tai Lue blankets -

$49.00
Stripy Kriang Laptop Bag

You asked and we listened! Finally a perfect sleeve for a 13 inch laptop! It is made beautifully and works to keep your laptop safe and looking sharp.  A collaboration, through our Village Weavers Project, with Kriang artisans, an ethnic community based in southern Laos. Skilled backstrap weavers, the Kriang

Mien Yao Cushion Cover

Our elegant silk cushion cover is woven by our master weavers at the Living Crafts Centre, although the pattern is inspired by the intricate embroidery skills of the Mien Yao. Our master weavers created a supplementary weave pattern that features diamond patterns typically seen on Mien Yao wedding aprons. Weaving

Tree Design Placemat

Working in collaboration with Tai Lue artisans in Ban Phonxay village near Luang Prabang, we've created a mix of tableware in a range of colours and styles. Working from their home village, the weavers are able to balance their domestic and child care routines, while still working and earning income.

Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter!

You will receive a welcome Email with a 15% coupon for our online store within one hour.

If you don’t get anything, please check your spam folder.