An exploration of henna pigment extraction during a natural dyes workshop with Ahmed in southern Morocco. Written by Maria Jose Gomez and photographed by Andrea Tamayo for Thread Caravan.

Ahmed lleva tres años tinturando con henna, un tinte natural que proviene del árbol de henna y que crece en el mismo lugar donde él nació, Zagora, en el sureste de Marruecos. Ahmed hoy en día vive cerca de Marrakech y aunque está lejos de su ciudad natal, de alguna forma fue acá donde se reconecto con su territorio, a partir del proceso de la tintura y la materialidad. 

In Santiago Niltepec, a quiet town in Oaxaca’s Isthmus region, indigo thrives under the intense sun, grown and processed using centuries-old, chemical-free methods. Visitors during the annual féria cultural del añil can witness the full dyeing process, from early morning harvests to fermentation in historic pilas. This experience offers a deeper connection to the rich heritage of indigo and the people who continue its tradition.

Himanshu Verma is an arts curator, artist, and independent scholar based in Jaipur. He leads heritage walks across the country and is the founder of Red Earth, an independent arts organisation that works with Indian contemporary visual art, design as well as diverse forms of cultural expression. Here, he discussed Jaipur’s best kept secret: Vastu.

In Thread Caravan’s inaugural Crafts of Kutch experience, participants were fully immersed into the rich and storied craft traditions of Gujarat’s Kutch region, a land shaped by centuries of nomadic movements, trade, and artistic heritage. Over the course of eight days, we connected with master artisans and learned textile techniques through hands-on learning experiences. Below, we dive into the unique experiences included in the trip itinerary.

We were privileged to host artist and storyteller Maya Poon and photographer Kate Berry in the beautiful Atlas Mountains foothills earlier this year, on our Morocco Wool Weaving Workshop. Here, Maya shares about the experience, accompanied by Kate’s beautiful photos.

Céline Gaiardo is an entrepreneur and creative who has spent the past decade living between France and Central America.

As a photographer, Céline has documented her life, work, and travels through Guatemala and Mexico, capturing rural landscapes, the slower pace of life, and artisans at work, showcasing their craftsmanship.

We were fortunate to have artist and photographer Thayer Gowdy attend our Oaxaca Ceramics trip, hosted in collaboration with Colectivo 1050.

Thayer’s photos paint the full picture of our trip: rural countryside ceramic studios and Hierve el Agua mineral springs blended with fine dining and art gallery visits.

Our team brought a collection of handwoven, natural fiber clothing by Seek Collective on our recent craft retreat in Barichara, Colombia, combining perfectly with the quality craftsmanship of the region.

Our favorite Thread Caravan trips for interior designers -- and what the past interior design clients have to say!