Marina

I spend my weekdays in front of a computer and I find that when I have a break from work, my ideal way to use the time is to do something with my hands. The VAWAA experience enabled me to do just that - disconnect from my computer and reconnect with centuries old traditions of using our hands to make things. My aim was to slow down, be present, to listen and learn.

I left feeling inspired and refreshed, with a deep appreciation for Jacobo and Maria Luisa, true masters of their craft. The experience reminded me that not everything we do must be “scaled”, that taking the traditional, slow route has immense value on the quality of the end product, the environmental impact of production, and on the health of the craftspeople paramount to its creation. Every day I look at the rug I weaved, I'm reminded of the skill and effort it takes to create something beautiful and of the gift of being able to take the time to learn how things are made from true experts in their craft.