Due to the success of our first two rounds- we have put together the Telluride CARES III Package! This package includes a "Love Telluride" tote made by yours truly, your choice of two or four ceramic cups by the ridiculously talented Jacey Anne Depriest and a 12oz Steaming Bean Avalanche Blend by Telluride Coffee Roasters.
20% of the proceeds will be donated to the COVID-19 Telluride Medical Response Fund. Donations to this fund go directly to support extra staff hours, additional staff, supplies (like personal protection equipment), communications and bilingual translation efforts and more.
The Telluride Medical Center, its staff and the Telluride artisan community need love and support. If you are able, please consider purchasing the Telluride CARE III Package! #supportlocaleverything
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As you have all probably guessed, we had to close our doors for the winter season this past Monday. We truly hope to open for the summer, but obviously no certainty there! What we do know, is that we are determined to hang on as long as we can. So as a big thank-you for all the love and support, we are now offering free shipping! Just use code: FREESHIP
Could you imagine living in a world without mom and pop shops? It would be such a sad, boring world...
]]>One of the things I truly love about living out here is how excited people get when they read this: WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST FRIDAY ... Total snow accumulations of 8 to 18 inches with locally higher amounts above 9000 feet ...
Bring it on snow gods!
]]>12" in the last 24 hours! We are so excited for the ski resort to open this Thursday!
I never thought I would be the person that gets excited about snow storms and opening days at a ski resort... but I am!
Its going to be a great season!
Take a look at downtown Telluride, courtesy of Telluride Ski Resorts webcam:
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September 23rd was the official first day of fall!
I LOVE fall. Everything about it makes me happy. The leaves, the pumpkins, the sweaters... So in celebration of my favorite season- I decided to pull out this deliciously golden dress made by Co, a Los Angeles-based womenswear brand founded in 2011 by Stephanie Danan and Justin Kern. To top if off, I decked it out with one of my favorite necklaces designed by yours truly :)
This hand-carved teak necklace belongs to a line I started in 2016 called Tala. Tala offers lifestyle pieces that range from wonderful necklaces like these to pillows, totes, etc.
I love that Tala reflects my love for perfectly imperfect handmade treasures that don't go out of season.
Want to be kept in the loop? Follow my latest and greatest experiences @tkarnimports
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Hemp is a rain-fed crop that does not rely on additional irrigation or pesticides to flourish, making them naturally friendly to the environment. They can also be planted close together, making it a high yielding crop. To top it off, hemp does not rely on a certain temperature or degree of humidity to thrive!
In this part of the world, hemp seeds are planted in April, and by October, ready for harvest when the hard-work begins. The production process requires twisting hemp bark into yarn, winding yarn into skeins, pounding and eventually softening the yarn by a foot mill before even reaching the looms!
Once woven, hemp typically goes through the batik process, where beeswax is applied to the material before undergoing a natural indigo dye bath. After the beeswax is removed, one can see a white pattern created where the wax has prevented the dye from permeating the cloth.
I mean, wow! Centuries of knowledge and tradition can be found in each beautiful swath!
]]>So it's no surprise that Japan is where you find Hiba Wood-only found in 300 year old Aomori Hiba trees from Aomori, Japan. Studies have shown the Hinokitiol, found only in Aomori Hiba wood, to have anitmicrobial, germicidal, insect repellent, and deodorizing properties. These properties make Aomori Hiba Trees unique to other Hiba trees grown in other parts of the world!
So combine the Aomori Hiba oil with distilled water and you get the best atmosphere mist made by the ever-talented Studio Cue!
Did you know that Aomori Hiba Oil is especially effective against antibiotic-resistant bacteria? It has insect repellent properties and is effective against termites, cockroaches, fleas, mites and spiders. Best of all Aomori Hiba is effective for odor elimination, relaxation and can help help battle depression.
So why not pick up some amazing non-toxic atmosphere spray and try for yourself? The strong woody scent, slightly reminiscent of Cedarwood and Palo Santo will blow you away!
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Did you know?
Eco-friendly crops like hemp are rain fed crops that don’t rely on additional irrigation or pesticides to flourish, making them naturally friendly to the environment. Combining hemp with traditional weaving processes equates to sustainability!
What exactly is sustainable wood crafting?
I like to work with artisans that use wood from trees that have been harvested once they no longer bear fruit. This is a practical farming technique and has the added benefit of providing farmers with a supplementary income.
It is not just about sourcing sustainable materials that can help reduce our environmental impact but also repurposing "waste." Up-cycling things like plastic, glass, and textiles help cut emissions while also giving new purpose to landfill-destined material. I mean that's a win-win!
So what can you do? Think before you buy! Support local businesses that care about the environment and the people behind their inventory. Even large retailers have to listen to customer preferences, and each dollar spent is a vote cast.
]]>I love it when art and utility collide. Which brings me to this special shout out to Colorado native: John Kirk Drogsvold.
Drogsvald is a lighting designer inspired by the beauty of mountain topography. Originally from Boulder, CO, he earned a Bachelor of Environmental Design & Certificate in Entrepreneurship from CU Boulder. Drogsvald currently resides in Telluride, CO, where his ethereal lighting fixtures are designed and fabricated.
In 2018, Drogsvald received the Best Individual Artist Award from the Telluride Art and Architecture Weekend, and was featured by the Telluride Arts District as Featured Artist in April 2019. He recently has been selected for the 2019 Wanted Design Launchpad in NYC.
To see his pieces in person, please come by our Mountain Village design studio (across from Boot Doctors and next to Heritage Apparel ). Commissions are encouraged!
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Collective Hearts believes there is a need for more visible signs of love in the world. How awesome is that?! I mean I could not agree more. A tangible reminder to lead with my heart helps me start my day with a solid intention.
All of their jewelry is lovingly handcrafted in Northern California using the highest quality 14k gold fill and sterling silver. Furthermore, every purchase allows the company to give back to a children's center in Haiti!
Available in both T.Karn stores and on the website: tkarn.com
]]>Get yourself to Chiang Mai and from there, you have two road options; both require about 5 hours of driving. If you take route 1095 via Pai (280 km)- you may want to take some Dramamine as it is a curvy, mountainous drive. The other option is route 108 via Mae Sariang (350 km). Although this route has more kilometers, it is an easier drive.
Mae Hong Son province is ideal for those that enjoy nature. I highly recommend a 4x4, as you can follow dirt roads up to mountain tops where hill tribes reside. Exercise caution as this is a remote area and help is not always readily available.
]]>I am obsessed with Asian pastries. OBSESSED. In my opinion, Asian pastries are more fluffy, less greasy and just the right amount of sweet. And I am going to go ahead and admit- Japanese pastries trump all Asian pastries.
My absolute favorite? Warm red bean buns of course! Most people assume they would be disgusting due to the idea that beans and sugar do not belong together, but after a couple bites, people are inevitably hooked.
If you have ever been pregnant, you may recall the hunger pains that grace you all hours of the day and night. To make things worse, if you live where I live, there is no late-night culinary scene. No Ihops, no Whataburgers, NOTHING. Whipping something delicious up at home at 3am just takes way too much effort….so…. If you’re pregnant and always starving…I say go to Japan for 24/7 ramen and ALWAYS add Gyoza to that order.
Aside from food, being pregnant in Japan comes with a ton of perks. Everyone, even people that have never experienced the pregnancy process, go the extra mile to make sure you are completely comfortable.
Did you know there are fewer than a million births per year in Japan?!
Low birth rate and aging population has put the country under stress. Like many countries, Japan’s economy grew very fast in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries and Japan had an increasing birthrate in the years immediately after the Second World War. The ‘Baby Boomers’, children born in the years following the Second World War are now at, or reaching retirement age. Improvements in medicine and health care mean that people are living longer than they used to do. Thus, the generation before the baby boomers is living much longer and so will the Baby Boomers. However, the Baby boomer generation is not the result of normal conditions, and when they die out it is likely that populations will be better balanced. They were the first generation to have choice over their fertility, and the first where so many career opportunities opened to women. Many baby boomers chose not to have children and many baby boomer women chose not to marry at all. Therefore, pregnant women, and children for that manner, are an anomaly, and in turn, treated like royalty!
But.... it is important to note, that even if you aren't pregnant, expect the royal treatment as a Gaijin (foreigner) in Japan.
The Japanese, young and old, abide by hefty cultural expectations. One of which, is to treat foreigners with unwavering patience and politeness. The idea is to have foreigners walk away having seen the country in the best light possible.... pretty easy to do if you ask me...
]]>Tokyo offers everything; one-of-a-kind artisans, ridiculous sushi, intriguing sumo traditions, divine hot springs, epic skiing, beautiful Harajuku girls, endless shopping, crazy robot shows, hello kitty, killer public transportation....the list is endless....So if you can't live there, at least visit.
In contrast to common belief, you don't have to break the bank to visit Tokyo. Street food, convenience stores, business hotels, and public transportation help make it affordable. And the overnight flight from Los Angeles to Haneda International Airport (preferred to Narita International Airport due to its proximity to central Tokyo) is a breeze, even with young kiddos. Tickets are often as low as $600 via ANA. You essentially board, go to sleep for the night, wake up, and boom, you're in the greatest city in the world, ready to hit the Tsukiji fish market at 5am Japan time.
So, in case it isn't apparent, I am absolutely thrilled to announce that our next journey will be to JAPAN! So please stay tuned for our upcoming Japanese adventures!
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We are excited to announce that Tala will be partnering with, From House to Homes, a nonprofit that works with some of the poorest indigenous Guatemalans to create sustainable homes that are culturally appropriate, and affordable to maintain.
The families we will be working with reside in corn stalk shacks that continuously wash away during rainy season without warning. Therefore, we intend to build 13 X 19 stucco block homes in hopes that simple elements like a lockable door will provide families with security and a roof will provide families with reliable protection from harsh weather conditions.
Anything you can spare goes a long way in rural Guatemala. And of course, all fiscal donations will go directly to this project.
As always, thank-you for even reading this. We look forward to doing our small part to make this world just a little bit better.
https://www.gofundme.com/tala-buildguatemala
]]>I am starting my Asia journey in Shanghai, a little city, which consists of about 24.15 million people. 24.15 million people! Crazy! I mean NYC can only boast of 8.5 million people!
Believe it or not, until 1842, Shanghai's location made it merely a small fishing village. After the first Opium War, however, the British named Shanghai a treaty port, debuting the city to the world. The village quickly transformed into a substantial industrial center and trading port that attracted not only foreign businesspeople (60,000 by the 1930s) but also Chinese migrants from other parts of the country.
These were the days when Shanghai was the place to be. The city offered the most progressive art, the most impressive architecture, and the strongest businesses in Asia. Shanghai beckoned the rich and powerful to its doors. And soon enough, the city became known as the place of vice and indulgence.
Unfortunately, the glitz began to fade as the city endured a series of invasions in the 1930s and '40s. Once Shanghai was finally forced to succumb to Japanese occupation. The party was truly over.
By 1943, at the height of World War II, Shanghai's 101 years as a treaty port came to a close. Despite the war's end, the city continued to host violence as fighting continued between Nationalists and Communists, a three-year civil war for control of China. The Communists declared victory in 1949 and established the People's Republic of China.
The three decades from 1950 to 1980 passed by with one Five Year Plan after another, marked by periods of famine and drought, reform and suppression.
Yet, in 1972, with the Cultural Revolution still raging, Shanghai hosted the historic meeting that would help lay the groundwork for the China of today. Premier Zhou Enlai and U.S. president Richard Nixon signed the Shanghai Communiqué, which enabled the two countries to normalize relations and encouraged China to open talks with the rest of the world. Twenty years later, the 14th Party Congress endorsed the concept of a socialist market economy, opening the door to foreign investment.
Today Shanghai has once again become one of China's most progressive cities. So bring it on Shanghai! I’m ready for you!
]]>His majesty is revered as a ruler that took time to visit every province in Thailand so that he may listen to the needs of young and old, rich and poor. His name, Bhumibol Adulyadej, literally translates to Strength of the Land, Incomparable Power, which serves prophetic as his reign provided nothing short of incomparably unifying strength.
And to those that know nothing of Thailand or Thai politics, his majesty was like a grandfather, full of wisdom so bold and sincere that I physically felt his majesty's guidance in even the most mundane of tasks.
So maybe in the darkest of hours, one can always guide themselves by asking; what would his majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand do?
Rest in peace your majesty. You will be a part of our history, our homage and our hearts forever.
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These are the cultures that built the foundation of the world we live in today; a vast rainbow of tradition, religion, and art that informs the evolution of humanity. In the not so distant past, certain societies colonized and dominated others, requiring the conquered to assimilate in order to survive. But now, as a human society, we are learning the error of this. We are learning the value of honoring the ancient, the unique, the deep roots of ancestral songs, art, and teachings. We are learning the importance of preserving these cultures.
Jimmy Nelson is a photographer who traveled for 3 years all over the world documenting the lives of indigenous peoples through stunning portraits. He chose 31 endangered tribes to photograph, traveled to their homes, asked them to reveal themselves and their traditions for his camera. He spent 2 weeks with each tribe, taking part in their rituals and daily lives. The result is a gorgeous documentation of slowly disappearing peoples, their traditional styles and clothes, their homes and the natural environments they inhabit. These incredible photographs have been compiled into a book called Before They Pass Away, bringing the vast beauty of indigenous peoples to your coffee table. We have the book available at our online store. It’s a beautiful way to learn about the unique and ancient history we should all cherish.
]]>I long for a selection of endless dim sum, a mind bogglingly cheap, five-star plate of panang and a hearty bowl of scalding hot ramen toped with the most perfectly blanched egg you have ever seen.
If I'm not daydreaming about food, I'm daydreaming about all the artists and exquisitely handcrafted goods I get to find. Hand-loomed textiles for days, jewelry and charms to die for, and to top if off; hand-carved teak anything!
If i'm not consumed by thoughts of food and artisanal products, my mind finds itself excitedly anticipating all the adventures that await. I mean to track down the best, most delicious food is no easy task. And then to meet that one artisan that showcases skills beyond your wildest expectations is like finding something dear to you that is so small you're sure it just got sept away with the inertia of life....definitely no easy task.
Just a reminder; no easy task while traveling means getting lost over and over again, food poisoning that debilitates the soul, getting pick-pocketed, running out of clean underwear, etc...
Oh, I can't wait!
Come by and visit us before we close for the summer season October 9th! Or wait for us to reopen for the winter season. It is safe to say there will be a few amazing items to be had once we reopen!
*Picture of a sweaty little hike overlooking my hometown, Phattalung, Thailand*
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I cherish each and every birthday card I have ever received from my grandparents. I have shed tears over cards from friends sent during difficult times. I have spent up to an hour at a grocery store picking the perfect Mother’s or Father’s Day card.
So what if the cards you gave your loved ones benefited more then the sender and the receiver? What if you could benefit the card maker as well?
Good Paper makes this possible.
Beautifully detailed and full of fantastic puns, Good Paper cards are perfect for making someone in your life feel special. Most importantly, Good Paper focuses on empowering women that have been fortunate enough to escape the sex-traffic industry.
According to Equality Now, at least 20.9 million adults and children worldwide are victims of human trafficking. Of these, 6 of 10 survivors were trafficked specifically for sexual exploitation, and 98% are women and girls.
Good Paper gives women a creative and reliable way to earn a living. And they, in turn, give you the gift of a beautifully handcrafted card for any occasion.
So don’t hesitate to buy a Good Paper card and spread a little more “good” in this world.
]]>Right on Nelson Mandela. Right on.
Education is so incredibly powerful. It is a tool that can annihilate racism, bigotry, sexism…I could go on.
Needless to say, it is something that I hold dear to my heart and am so excited to announce that my family and I will be working with the Banwangrang School in Thailand this fall!
Upon our first visit to the school, we were enticed by the amazingly devoted teachers and excited primary school children. Unfortunately, we also noticed that the school is in need of far too many essential learning tools: notebooks, pens, pencils, etc.
In hopes of building a solid system that can benefit generations of children to come, we are determined to devote our time and experience to making the Banwangrang school reach its full potential.
To help, please donate school supplies or fund us at gofundme.com/2q7dtnfg
]]>An ultra marathon runner from Brooklyn that decided to live in his tent at 11,300 ft., in an area called Alta Lakes, about 6 miles south of Telluride.
His goal this summer is ultra marathon nirvana. For people like you and me who can barely even imagine a one-mile jog, ultra marathon nirvana is basically when you run gazillion miles without breaking a sweat.
Pat runs 100 miles a week! Rest days call for an easy 10-mile jog up and down a peak or two. Push days call for a 10-HOUR run up and down several peaks.
After initially hearing this, I took time to gasp and then I asked myself what I ever do for 10 straight hours. I mean, I can’t even bring myself to sleep for 10 straight hours!
For those who are not familiar with the ultra marathon world, I will fill you in a bit, because it is crazy amazing. An ultra marathon is any footrace longer than the traditional marathon length of 26.2 miles. The most common ultra marathon distances are 50 kilometers, 100 kilometers, 50 miles and 100 miles. 100 MILES! What??!!!
Just an FYI, the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), the world governing body of track and field, recognizes the 100-kilometer race as the official world record event.
The 100-kilometer Castle Peak Race, which will take place in Tahoe, CA at the end of the month, is Pat ‘s current object of desire. It is what he has been relentlessly training for all summer.
When asked what comes after the Castle Peak Race, he simply replied that he would just keep running and see where it takes him, no pun intended.
At 27, he can see himself reaching his peak in his 30s, when he hopes to be living with the Kalenjin tribe in the Rift Valley, Kenya.
The Rift Valley is what Pat considers to be running paradise. The love affair with the Rift Valley began when working at a running store in Brooklyn, where Pat befriended Eliud Heldy Ngetich.
Ngetich was born and raised in the Rift Valley where the Kalenjin tribe resides. He grew up hunting antelope, literally “running errands”, sprinting to school, and then eventually joining a cross-country team. He found his way to the states in 2013 at only 22 years old. Ngetich participates in ultra marathon races around the world, collecting prize money for his wife and daughters back in Kenya, where they are all saving for their dream home.
According to Pat and Ngetich, one of the more pertinent ultra marathon takeaways is the classic Kenjin saying, “train hard win easy.”
So when you are dreading the weekly trip to the gym in hopes of clocking in 15 minutes on the elliptical, think of Eliud Heldy Ngetich, Pat Noonan, and that classic Kenjin saying. Perhaps it will all put a little pep in your step.
If not, Pat recommends peanut butter.
]]>Women have to take far more precautions when traveling alone than their male counterparts. This is yet another reason to work towards equality and empowerment for women.
Can you imagine our daughters and their granddaughters travelling the world alone without fear? Able to follow any path to any place their hearts desire without extra caution or companions? And to find, in all their adventures, women who are also free and empowered to support themselves and their families?
This is the world we here at T. Karn Imports believe is possible. One we work toward every day by supporting and promoting women in artisan craft and business. Although the rest of the world may not have caught up with these values, women are still travelling solo, proclaiming their freedom to roam the earth. We are blessed and inspired to count so many of these women among our friends in Telluride.
To celebrate their wandering spirits, we are beginning a series on female travel. In this series, we will interview women about their experiences traversing the planet. So stayed tuned for some amazing stories, advice, and inspiration to begin your own adventure!
]]>Rain in Telluride is a COMPLETELY different story. The rain out here is always welcomed. It brings out earth's most nutritiously decadent scent. The rivers surge with vitality, the mountains radiate with waterfalls, and the clouds dance so far below the sky that the mundane is encased in a dream. And then you get the epic rainbows to conclude this sensory feast. I mean come on!
This picture was taken during my morning commute to work today.
So in the end, do I miss fighting for a cab in the pouring rain, fully decked out in heels and a power suit? Nope.
]]>Misoui uses the best quality leathers for their amazing line. To top it off everything used to treat and stain their leathers are all-natural!
Minimalistic, simple and made using high-quality materials! What could be better?!
]]>These one-of-a-kind bags are a major part of Columbia's indigenous Wayuu economy. To top it of, it allows for these women to keep an intrinsic part of their culture alive.
Expect these to be up on the website by next week!
]]>http://www.coloradohomesmag.com/Style/High-Points-From-Serving-to-Surfacing/
]]>For those that are not familiar, MountainFilm travels year round, dedicating itself to using the power of film, art and ideas to inspire audiences to create a better world. Organizations like these have made a huge impact on how we do business. It has led the company to get involved with humanitarian, environmental, social and cultural causes; everything Mountain Films dedicates its mission to.
So thank-you! We look forward to MountainFilm 2017!
*The bracelets depicted in this photograph are made with upcycled plastic in Mali. Money earned is used to supplement the family income. In some cases, it is the only income *
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