Mayu

MAYU OLYMPIC SCARF MADE FOR TEAM COACH

Kati — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 01:42:59 +0000

A couple months ago, I received the nicest email from Mayu Fujiki a Japanese woman who was a 1996 Olympian for the Japanese Synchronized Swim Team. Now, she is the coach of the American Synchronized Swimming Olympic team! Awesome! She wrote to tell me she had heard of Mayu alpaca scarves and that her name was Mayu too. We had a number of exchanges about the meaning of Mayu in Japan and the meaning in Peru. I love cultural exchanges so this for me was really cool!

I decided to have Mayu’s knitters in Peru make her the ultimate US Olympic Scarf with 100% pure Alpaca fiber and send it to Mayu as a surprise. She received it and sent us these pictures.

We hope this scarf brings lots of luck to Mayu and the US Synchro team!

Are you interested in creating your own Olympic-supporting scarf scarf or even a scarf to match your favorite sports team? (Hint: Olympics are coming up this year and football season requires scarves). Talk to us! We do special orders and love to give our customers exactly what they are looking for. We have wholesale and bulk prices too. Show your sports-pride in a one-of-a-kind, hand-knit alpaca scarf!

For more on Mayu, find us on Twitter, and Facebook, and hear more stories from the field on our Blog!

SHOP MAYU’S ALPACA SCARVES!

Kati — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 14:08:10 +0000

Mayu is the top Internet shop for fashionable, hand-knit, alpaca scarves. Our one-of-a-kind (professionally designed) scarves are knit with only the best, 100% pure alpaca fiber by a group of artisans in rural Peru. Oh, and we are members of the Fair Trade Federation too. Shop our alpaca scarf collection today.

Ruffled Alpaca Scarf

Alpaca Infinity Scarf with Bow

Floral Alpaca Scarf

Unisex Infinity Alpaca Scarf

SHOP CHICAGO’S BEST ALPACA CLOTHES AT MS. MINT HOLIDAY BAZAAR

Kati — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 02:43:59 +0000

Looking for Chicago’s hottest alpaca scarves and Fair Trade accessories? Mayu has Chicago’s highest quality, softest and most unique designs on the market (just read what our customers say). There will also be lots of other fun items for sale including locally produced Chicago food. Yum! We love to support Chicago’s local businesses.

We will have our hand-knit alpaca scarves, hats and the rest of the alpaca goodies this Saturday at the Ms. Mint holiday shopping event in Chicago. Come and check us out there and get those last minute holiday gifts. We will also have a few select SALE items available.

Mention this blog post for 10% off!

Sat. Dec. 17, 10 am – 6 pm.
Grossinger City Autoplex

For more on Mayu, find us on Twitter, and Facebook, and hear more stories from the field on our Blog!

AMARANTH, THE NEXT QUINOA?

Kati — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 03:37:01 +0000

In the past I’ve posted a lot of Peruvian recipes and about some of my favorite Peruvian foods (there are a few non-Peruvian products in there). If you didn’t know, Peru is known for its culinary diversity. Unfortunately, when I was working with Mayu’s knitters in the Peace Corps, I can’t say I had the most exciting food. I spent a lot of time carbo-loading on rice, noodles, potatoes and the very best bread in the whole of Peru. The bread part is no joke! Maybe that explains why Mayu’s artisans knit our beautiful, Fair Trade alpaca scarves and alpaca wraps so quickly — all that energy from the carbs? Or, maybe because they are super skilled and have been knitting since the young age of 4! Learn more about the knitters here.

What I didn’t have enough of, and wish I did, was Amaranth, otherwise know as Kiwicha, a grain that is native to the Andes Mountains. One of the most popular Peruvian snacks are called Kiwicha Balls (see picture below). In fact, one of my Peace Corps friends worked with a cooperative of Kiwicha farmers to help market their products. Every once in a while, he’d share some of their experimental Kiwicha Balls — although they didn’t look perfect, they were delicious and nutritious.

Are you looking for a new grain too add to your diet? Tired of Quinoa. I suggest taking a quick trip to your local market (Whole Foods bulk section too) to pick up some Amaranth. You can boil it like rice, toast it, ground it or pop it! Learn more about Peruvian Kiwicha here. Oh, and if you can find the plant, you can use the flowers to paint your face a deep color red — a popular method used during traditional Peruvian celebrations!

For more on Mayu, find us on Twitter, and Facebook, and hear more stories from the field on our Blog!

PEACE CORPS IN MADAGASCAR = CHOCOLATE

Kati — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 12:02:17 +0000

In the spirit of spreading the love for all the cool companies and products Mayu loves, I wanted to mention Madecasse, a company also started by past Peace Corps volunteers. The founders of Madecasse, who sell delicious chocolate (which is also presented very well), fell in love with their Peace Corps experience in Madagascar and decided to start their company to continue supporting the farmers with whom they worked. I don’t know about you, but I’m going for the Cinnamon & Sakay Chocolate bar. Yum!

The story behind Mayu is quite similar. I fell in love with the artisans and the whole experience and couldn’t get enough of the luxurious alpaca fiber that I was exposed to while living in the rural Andes. I really like Peace Corps related businesses and not-profit organizations. Just goes to show what an impact the Peace Corps has on both volunteers and host-country nationals.

For more on Mayu, find us on Twitter, and Facebook, and hear more stories from the field on our Blog!

SHIPMENT OF ALPACA SCARVES ARRIVES!

Kati — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 21:23:05 +0000

I always get excited around this time of year because this is the big Mayu season — the time our customers start thinking about the cold AND about fair trade holiday gifts! Naturally, this is the time we receive all of our shipments (how cool is the box?) from rural Peru. I always get nervous when I open the box. The nature of working with artisans in rural Peru, who are without access to stable electricity and who do not typically use the Internet, makes it quite a challenge to run a business.

And, not surprisingly, sometimes the contents of the box are not always as expected! Today, however, I was very pleased with the shipment. We now have a replenished stock of ruffled alpaca scarves, one of the best hand-knit alpaca scarves on the market. This alpaca scarf is a one-of-a-kind piece and one of our best selli ng fair trade scarves! We also replenished our collection of alpaca blankets. Creme, chocolate brown, beige and charcoal are now in stock. Purchase you meaningful fair trade holiday gift on our site.

Still interested in the Mayu process of how our alpaca scarves are made and sent from rural Peru to Chicago? Read about our process and meet some of the artisans on the way.

For more on Mayu, find us on Twitter, and Facebook, and hear more stories from the field on our Blog!

MAYU’S ALPACA HAT & SCARF IN FAIR TRADE FEDERATION GIFT GUIDE

Kati — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 13:25:31 +0000

Its the time of year again for release of the Fair Trade Federation’s annual holiday gift guide! No more mulling over what you should buy for your family and friends who seem to have it all.

This year, choose a meaningful gift from the wide variety (and price points) of options in the guide. Mayu’s hand-knit alpaca flap hat and infinity scarf are mentioned in the guide. Thanks, Fair Trade Federation for including Mayu’s alpaca clothing and accessories.

See the Fair Trade Federation Holiday Gift Guide.

OK, I’m headed off to work this morning. I’ve got on my alpaca fingerless gloves as well as my infinity scarf. I’m gonna be warm today!

For more on Mayu, find us on Twitter, and Facebook, and hear more stories from the field on our Blog!

THE BEST FAIR TRADE ALPACA CAPELET

Kati — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 16:32:40 +0000

One of Mayu’s best sellers over the past couple of years has been our 2-color alpaca capelet. It is classy, versatile and the color combinations were carefully chosen to match even the craziest pieces of your wardrobe! This Fair Trade alpaca hoodie is ideal under your coat (pull out the hood and it is super cute), as an alternative to your boring cardigan and as a sweater on a crisp Fall day.

I’ve created a short (and novice) video to teach shoppers a bit more about this alpaca capelet.

For more on Mayu, find us on Twitter, and Facebook, and hear more stories from the field on our Blog!

SHOP MAYU IN CHICAGO TOMORROW!

Kati — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 13:40:15 +0000

Its cold now — looks like that Indian summer in Fall is no longer! So now, its time to shop Mayu’s hand-knit alpaca clothes and accessories. We have beautifully knit alpaca scarves, alpaca hats and alpaca wraps — there is winter fashion for everyone at all price points. We also have a special SALE basket too.

We will be at St. Pats this Sunday, Oct. 23, in Chicago’s downtown loop. There is lots going on at the solidarity market…all sorts of vendors with Fair Trade and sustainably produced products from both abroad and locally produced. Personally, I’m looking forward to all the delicious homemade food options!

Come check us out and pick yourself up a new winter scarf or hat. You are going to want it…

Tell your friends too!


Start:: October 23, 2011 9:00 am
End:: October 23, 2011 1:00 pm

Venue:: Old St. Patrick’s Church Hall

Address:: 700 West Adams Street, Chicago, United States, 60661

CHICAGO’S FAIR TRADE GLOBALFEST

Kati — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 00:18:39 +0000

Its that time of the year again! Are you in Chicago? Come out and attend Chicago Fair Trade’s upcoming GlobalFest!

This year’s fundraiser is in honor of Latin American producers and artisans, which includes the knitters that make Mayu’s hand-knit alpaca accessories. The celebration is at the National Museum of Mexican Art in Pilsen on FRIDAY OCT. 28.

“Join the celebration at Chicago Fair Trade’s annual gala featuring fair trade wine and cocktails, appetizers, and special Day of the Dead brew. Find elegant fair trade treasures at our silent auction. Globalfest will celebrate the growing consumers support for products that guarantee social benefits to workers and the environment.

Stories of Latin American producers of Fair Trade coffee, wine, chocolate, fashions and jewelry will be included.

Emcee: Tsi-Tsi-Ki Felix, lead news anchor of Telemundo Chicago

Admission Includes access to Day of the Dead exhibit from 5:30- 7:30pm

For more on Mayu, find us on Twitter, and Facebook, and hear more stories from the field on our Blog!