Some words from Gayle
and Andrea, creators of Tara Handknits:
18 years ago we, Andrea
and Gayle Shackleton, two sisters from Northern California started
designing and knitting sweaters by hand. With a love of fine art,
heirloom knitting, crochet, antique buttons and trims, we created
one of a kind pieces for private collections and galleries. We now
design both Hot Knots and Tara sweaters and our lines also include
fine dresses, accessories, and children's sweaters.
At home in Arcata, California where
Hot Knots is based, we have a small group of talented women working
together to create fine pieces of wearable art. In the last year
we have also opened a store in this little gold rush town. It has
been a great new source of creativity and inspiration. In 1990 ATA (Aid to Artisans) asked
us to help out with a woman's knitting cooperative in Nepal. Now,
more than 10 years later, we are lucky enough to still work with
the wonderful woman of ACP (Association of Craft Producers). The
Tara sweaters are handknit by ACP a non-profit woman's cooperative
in Kathmandu, Nepal. We are proud to say they now own their own
studios. Increased wages, retirement programs, health care and educational
scholarships are a few of the benefits available to the knitters.
ACP dyes all of the yarn for the Tara sweaters with technology that
is clean and non-polluting. Being given the opportunity to work
with ACP has been one of the richest experiences of our lives. Named
for the Nepali Goddess of compassion, Tara represents our ever-expanding
collaboration. |
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