Posts Tagged ‘Mayu’

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CHICAGO’S FAIR TRADE GLOBALFEST

Sunday, October 9th, 2011

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!

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AREQUIPA, THE CAPITAL OF ALPACA YARN

Tuesday, February 8th, 2011

As a Peace Corps volunteer in Peru, and before starting Mayu, I was fortunate to visit the world’s capital of the Alpaca, the Andean city of Arequipa, Wow, what a beautiful city — it is the second biggest in Peru, and source of 85% world’s alpaca fiber.  The Peruvian Export and Tourism Promotion Agency PromPeru has been instrumental in the commercialization of the best alpaca fiber out there (which Mayu uses to knit our alpaca scarves, hats, wraps and more)!

PromPeru has understood the hidden potential, and started projects to increase quality, production and access. They have been increasing the international competitiveness of Arequipa’s textile producers and designers…

(more…)

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WRITING & VOLUNTEERING IN PERU, A STORY FROM THE FIELD!

Saturday, October 2nd, 2010

As you know, Mayu is big on volunteering! After all, our company started as a result of my time volunteering in the Peace Corps (amazing experience…). We wanted to share with you a post by Christina Baker, a volunteer with Karikuy, a travel and volunteerism company in Peru!

“I think I really baffled the minds of my friends and family and I’m sure I almost sent my mother into a comatose state when I told them I was moving to Peru on a whim back in December not knowing exactly what is was that I would be doing here. To be honest I really didn’t have a clue. I was dead set on immersing myself into another culture, but when it came down to choosing the “where” part, I did what any well-rounded, mature person would do and turned to the most reasonable solution; I pulled out my globe, spun it around with my eyes closed and pointed to my future country of residence (YES, Mayu used to does this too!). Needless to say, I think I lost their confidence in my not so planned plan somewhere between “Peru” and “let’s see what happens”. As it turns out however, finding a volunteer gig that doesn’t cost $1000/week (excluding airfare and meals) is pretty hard to come by these days. It wasn’t until I stumbled upon the volunteer writing placement with Karikuy tours that my summer months really started to take shape.

(more…)

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PERUVIAN SCARVES THROUGH THE LENSE OF A CHIQUIANO!

Tuesday, September 28th, 2010

While in Peru last month, I met Jesus, a “Chiquiano”, from the same community as Mayu’s artisans. He now lives in Lima but was visiting Chiquian; we shared great conversation in the town square. He had his camera in hand but I never realized the caliber of his work until he passed along his BLOG. Although in Spanish, I’m eager to share it. The photos and perspectives of Chiquian are beautiful.

Jesus wrote this message to Mayu’s fans:

Chiquián is a beautiful place in the Andean of Perú. “Light in the dark” is the name of my photographic blog that I present trying to recover and show the natural expression of this town, its culture and its people. Come here is a nice  experience for your soul, you can feel that can touch the sky … You can see the dark and white mountains at the same time. Chiquián is a paradise to discover! 

http://chiquianfotos.blogspot.com/

Algun detalle me comunicas, porfavor!
Cuidese mucho, un abrazo. Hasta pronto!
Jesús Bolarte Ramirez (Jepe)

Jesus is definitely right, Chiquian is a place that is amazing for the soul. Can’t make the visit this year? The soul can still feel good — purchase one of our hand-knit alpaca scarves, hats, wraps, shawls, hoodies or afghans and contribute to the well being of Mayu’s artisans and their families! And, I promise you will feel not only warm and fuzzy inside, but also on the outside, wrapped in luxurious, eco-friendly alpaca yarn.

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FAIR TRADE ALPACA SCARF: A CLOSER LOOK!

Monday, September 27th, 2010

Welcome to our Mayu Look Book series where we will explore the NEW Mayu collection, piece by piece.  Recently made a Mayu purchase?  Show us how you style your new Mayu alpaca accessories by sending us a photo – we will be sure to share it with the Mayu community (and that includes our artisans in Peru)!

Our journey begins with the Unisex 4 Color Infinity Scarf a new fall edition . The ladies were asking for the perfect man-scarf and I think we’ve found it! This versatile piece looks fabulous with any coat, trench or jacket.  It is a noteworthy addition to all wardrobes — with it’s mix of black, chocolate brown, beige and charcoal, you just can’t go wrong. This alpaca scarf can be styled by draping around your neck two times as a fashion statement or wrapped three to four times when you have to stay warm on those winter commutes!  Additional piece of advice, when the man in your life snags your luxurious, bulky and loosely knit Infinity Scarf for the day be sure to get it back!

Oh, and Mayu’s founder, Kate, says that she lived in this Peruvian scarf on her last trip to the mountains of Peru. She just couldn’t take it off! She is counting down the days until the cold so she can pull it out. Kate knows the compliments will come her way…

Take a look at Elvira knitting the Unisex 4 Color Infinity Scarf and be amazed at her artistic abilities. Elvira, like many of the the Mayu Knitters works to support her family with the business provided by Mayu.

Hasta Luego!

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

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A TRIBUTE TO THE ALPACA THIS WEEKEND!

Saturday, September 25th, 2010

Did you know this weekend is Alpaca Farm Weekend? VISIT YOUR LOCAL ALPACA FARM (and yes, there are more alpaca farms out there than you might think)!

Alpaca is very important to the Mayu community as it is the sole source of raw materials for our Mayu merchandise. Alpaca embodies the characteristics of both cashmere and wool and as a natural fiber has natural thermal capabilities.  Bred specifically for their fiber, alpacas provides a durable fiber, that is hypoallergenic, SUPER SOFT AND COZY and is considered to be environmentally-friendly. Learn more about alpaca at www.whatisalpaca.com and give a nod to alpaca this weekend!

If you can’t make it out to your nearest alpaca farm, check out our visit to a beautiful alpaca farm outside of Albuquerque, New Mexico.

For more on Mayu, find us on Twitter, see us on Facebook and to hear more stories from Peru, subscribe to our Blog!

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KATE’S JOURNEY TO PERU! FUN (AND TOUGH) TIMES…

Friday, September 24th, 2010

Check out Kate below! Watch her “self-taped” video during her trip to Peru in August, earlier this year.  She has just arrived to her old stopping grounds in Chiquian, Peru and looks like she is freezing! Too bad she didn’t have the Melange Scarf Hoodie. This Mayu accessory would have staved off the cold. She is a trooper!

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

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MAYU FANS, LET ME INTRODUCE MYSELF!

Thursday, September 23rd, 2010

Hello Mayu fans my name is Allison Hermes and I will be taking on the Marketing Internship for www.shopmayu.com throughout this fall season.  I am very excited to play such an integral role in the development of the Mayu brand and in the women of the Chiquian community. I am greatly pleased to be involved.

That said, I will be taking on an additional challenge when I leave for London this Sunday to pursue higher education. I will be studying International Business and Development throughout this next year. Previous to this challenge I worked at Sears Holdings Corporation as an Assistant Buyer for K-Mart Kitchen Textiles followed by my most recent position as Operations Analyst for the Sears Home Appliances Online and Social Media team.  Additionally, this past July I participated in a Sprint Triathlon and like the Chiquian women I also enjoy knitting although extremely less skilled!

I look forward to engaging and supporting the Mayu community with my experiences and future education.

Cheers!

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KNITTING, ALPACA, & ARTISANS IN MAYU’S WORKSHOP

Sunday, August 15th, 2010

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An insider’s look at Mayu Artisans’ workshop in Peru. Watch the video to get a better idea of how our artisans operate. They have their own filing system, we promise! Don’t let the “messiness” get you down. Your products will come to you looking just like new, with attention to detail and love from the Andes. This is just part of the process! Kate, Mayu’s owner, is a novice with the camera so excuse that too…

Keep up with Mayu by subscribing to our blog, follow us on Twitter and find us on FB!

Thanks!
Chelsea
Mayu Intern

P.S. Don’t forget about our GIVEAWAY !!

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TOURISM IN CHIQUIAN, PERUVIAN HOME OF MAYU’S ARTISANS

Saturday, August 7th, 2010

Some people actually go to Peru as tourists, others, like our own Kate Robertson, go there to work on the new fall designs for Mayu. The sign, for those non-speakers of Spanish, welcomes you to bonito Chiquian, the “Little Mirror of Heaven,” and details the tourist activities one can partake of in that part of the Bolognesi Province. These include seeing an archaeology site, the Huayhuash Mountain Chain, and several touristy streets in the actual town. Kate is enjoying her vacation very much, she loves Chiquian! I think this new sign on the outskirts of the town makes her realize all the things she still has to do in Chiquian as a visitor from afar. What about you guys? When you travel, do you HAVE to do all the touristy stuff, or are you more about relaxing with the local people? Leave a comment below!

Thanks for reading, have a great weekend!

Chelsea
Mayu Intern :]

For more on Chiquian, stay tuned to our blog, follow us on Twitter and find us on FB, or you can visit the town’s lovely website!

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