Blog Feature: Maiwa

When I emailed all the local yarn shops with questions about their blog Maiwa was the first to reply.  I was so thrilled because Maiwa is one of my favourite stores in Vancouver; when they started carrying yarn it made them that much better.   Here's what they told us:

Who is the blogger for your store?

My name is Tim McLaughlin and as I have the privilege of being the editor for much of the Maiwa content I'm also the blogger. I couldn't say I work alone though. All the staff make great suggestions and pass on interesting content. And the owner Charllotte Kwon is my chief collaborator, sounding board and inspiration. We work on the blog together.

What can we expect to hear about on your blog?

Our blog is presently describing our research trip to Assam, India where we went looking for wild silks. But we also promote and review events from our textile symposium; present new arrivals in the Maiwa store; send announcements when we put up a new podcast; and let people what is going on with the Maiwa Foundation.

When do you blog?

Whenever we can. Usually every third day.

Do you blog from home... the store?

We have a nicely appointed textile collection and research library in the Maiwa Loft on Granville Island (open to the public by appointment). Its a great space to write in and very handy if you have to consult a book, open a textile, or look up a quote or reference.

How on earth do you find time to blog? Have any advice for other bloggers?

Well, we had a number of projects that we wanted to communicate and the blog turned out to be the best mechanism to do that. We have documented a great deal of artisan cultures and techniques and we wanted a vehicle to share that information. Also the store and the foundation are pretty active. I think we are still finding our voice so we don't have any advice for other bloggers yet!

http://maiwahandprints.blogspot.com/