Anahata Katkin: Home From Chicago

I just returned home from a quick trip to Chicago. A town I really know very little about. But I sense the layers, the depth, the magic and the pride in the Windy City. Which While I was there was more about heat and loads of great coffee, cocktails and good company! We had the chance to even hang out with my creative comrad, Jenny Sweeney! Who was gracious enough to show us all her local haunts and even a secret farm on faraway country land full to the brim with rare finds from around the globe!! (of course she did!) Jenny has all kinds of wonderful talents and scouting is at the top of the list! (more reports from Jenny Land in the next post)Treasure! Treasure I say! Wonderful and exciting textiles from India, Persia and Uzbekistan. Over the past few years I have quickly become more seriously obsessed by textiles. Particularly tribal textiles and those that tell a history. Often textiles can indeed tell us much about our global history, migrations of ideas, and cultural hybrids. So this place was just heavens closet for me to put it mildly.
I waddled up as much wool, silk and cotton as I could muster and I'll have literally loads of rare treasure in the shop this month thanks to this masterful traveler. So you collectors out there beware. It's on the way.And while I was cruising for loot our wholesale team was showing at the Chicago gift show as well. So I was able to hang out with my brother and good friends. What a wonderful backdrop Chicago was for delightful food and company! I look forward to exploring more of it!
But these beauties where waiting for me by the front steps of my house when I returned! There's no place like home...