Karen Selk has written the ultimate love letter of wild silk.
Karen Selk is a textile artist, teacher, writer, and entrepreneur dedicated to all things silk. Karen's quest to understand all aspects of silk and her personal curiosity took her on the first of many journeys to Asia starting in 1986. With a camera and journal in hand, each expedition was focused on researching the rich history and heritage of silk production and traditions. She has led many textile tours through India and Laos since 1986.
My first impression: What a treasure! The sheer size of it!
I love it when people are so visually passionate about a craft.
"In Search of Wilk Silk" is a hefty hardcover book: 272 pages, and so many many delicious pictures of silk, but also the people behind the silk.
Second impression with a cup of coffee:
I find myself dreaming of a ticket to India. Hand-reared silk worms, handspun silk, handwoven silk fabrics, what is not to love here? Karen has done such a fantastic job looking into the cottage silk industry of rural India, a world not many people see. So much information about the subject of silk rearing, spinning, and weaving is put into this work, but what strikes me more at second glance: this is a book about interpersonal relations, carefully built over decades, with so much mutual respect.
This book is a complete must-read for those like me, who love knowing the roots of all things.
I am now even more resolved to work and promote more and more handwoven products from artisans. We have a responsibility to support the people who carry this ancient knowledge carried over from generation to generation and more important: to support the livelihoods of people for whom this income makes all the difference.
Check out Karen's website: https://www.karenselk.com
You can order your copy of this wonderful publication here:
For a closer look at the handwoven fabrics we have on the site look here: