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Sharon Woodcock |
Let's turn the spotlight on Lantern Moon and the exquisite artistry of the handcrafted needle arts tools and supplies created by traditional Vietnamese artisans.
Lantern Moon products are beautifully styled and distinctively identifiable. But what makes them so universally appealing? We think it's the unique Vietnamese art forms -- a fusion of Eastern and Western sensitivities representing traditional themes of emotional experience and spiritual values. These artistic expressions are marked by lyrical beauty and serenity, often using flawlessly executed traditional crafts and techniques. Out of this aesthetic, Lantern Moon established a company that honors Vietnam's artistic heritage, the labor of its craftsmen, and the environment. Using locally grown natural materials, Lantern Moon artisans are skilled in basket weaving, silk weaving, bamboo carpentry and other traditional skills that have been passed down through generations to create beautiful functional products for the global market.
With your purchases you provide a market for these wonderful products and you help contribute to the economic and social well-being of the areas where they are produced, providing income and self-reliance to women and their families.
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Win a Lantern Moon gift basket worth over $150
See details below »
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Versatile 6" long sets of 5 double-pointed needles. These heirloom quality tools handcrafted in ebony, rosewood or blonde wood are packaged in exquisite silk taffeta bags. US sizes 0 - 5.
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Superbly shaped to fit your hand, these beautiful tools will become your favorites. They're handcrafted of durable ebony, ranging from almost black to dark and medium brown. Yarnmarket has these hooks in Size D (3.25mm) to N (10mm).
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You will want to collect all sizes of these 7" double pointed needles, handcrafted of durable Vietnamese blonde hardwood highly regarded for its straight grain. Sets of 5 available in US sizes 1 - 17.
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These circular needles have it all: beautiful light blonde color, durability, warmth and light weight. The seamless brass swivels to avoid kinks in the nylon cord tinted for visibility. US sizes 3 - 17 are available in 16 - 40" cable lengths.
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Ranging from deep red to purply maroon, these rosewood needles are simply beautiful. The swivel brass connector and flexible cable will give you years of knitting pleasure. Four lengths and sizes 4 to 11 U.S.
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The attractively hand carved end accents these beautiful tools handcrafted from rosewood. Color ranges from deep maroon to pinkish medium brown, streaked in black. Sizes D/3.25mm to N/10mm.
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Handcrafted of fine ebony with a "liquid silk" finish, these circs are fitted with brass swivel connectors. The tinted nylon cord uncoils easily to make your knitting a dream. US sizes 4 - 11 come in your choice of four cable lengths.
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Generations-old, traditional techniques are used to create these 7" double points handcrafted of ebony. From pure black to dark brown, these lovely wooden needles gain luster the more you use them. These double points are available in US sizes 1 to 17.
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These top quality needles are made of Vietnamese rosewood that ranges from lustrous pink to red to deep purple. They're hand finished to satiny smoothness for easy knitting. Sets of 5 needles 7" long in US sizes 1 to 17.
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Spectacular! These hand-crafted beauties range in color from red to deep purple with intense black streaks emphasizing the rosewood grain. Strong, durable and beautiful, in US sizes 3 to 19 and 10, 12, or 14-inch lengths.
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These needles make a dramatic impact: blonde caps on ebony hardwood. The dense, dark ebony ranges from dark brown to pure black and is straight and strong. US sizes 3 to 19 in 10, 12, or 14-inch lengths.
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Crafted from a hardwood prized for its straight grain, these blonde needles with distinctive dark caps are light weight, durable and warm to the touch. Available at Yarnmarket in US sizes 5 to 19 in your choice of 10, 12 or 14-inch lengths.
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No company of any size can ignore their impact on the world, but few have a more proactive operating vision than Lantern Moon. A small company with global reach, Lantern Moon offers handcrafted products that celebrate the skills and cultures of the Southeast Asian people who make them. While helping to preserve traditional arts and crafts, the founders have embraced a mission to make the world better -- socially, economically and environmentally -- for people who might otherwise be without an income. Consumers of Lantern Moon products, by extension, help further these efforts to employ and empower people of this developing region.
The story of Lantern Moon began in the 1990s when Joel and Sharon Woodcock moved to Vietnam for Joel's business. While there, Sharon immersed herself in the local arts and culture, and befriended many local people. The fascinating account of how these simple efforts evolved into a successful global enterprise was recently related in a KnitchMagazine article. It's the story of change in the world and it's changing the way we think about business, how we make our buying decisions, and what we can do to help one another.
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Lantern Moon products can now be found in over 1500 needle arts, gift and women's accessories stores in the U.S. and Canada, with distributors in the U.K., France and Australia. This success gives Vietnamese women job security with a steady income. Many of the rural cultures in the area are accustomed to dangers, disease and illness. Lantern Moon is dedicated to improving these conditions by creating mutual benefit in all transactions between workers, suppliers and markets. The company pays fair wages and audits suppliers to be sure that health and safety are maintained in the production of all Lantern Moon products. By providing training for individuals and groups that have yet to reach the first rungs of the economic ladder, Joel and Sharon Woodcock open the door to independence.
Recently, Lantern Moon extended their support of the arts and communities to Bali with the creation of beautifully handcrafted needle cases and accessory bags in exotic batik fabric. Authentic Balinese Batik is renowned for its rich colors on both sides of the fabric made by stamping patterns onto cloth with copper stamps, applying wax to the fabrics, then immersing them in dyes. The wax is boiled out, and the process is repeated several times depending upon the complexity of the pattern. This time-honored art form is fast becoming an endangered textile process due to its labor intensive process.
Lantern Moon is helping to preserve this art form by purchasing fabric from a family studio that supports many talented Batik artists. These handcrafted fabrics are sewn into magnificent needle cases and accessory bags by other workers trained in a vocational program through a local orphanage, helping these workers to become self-sustaining and less dependent on sponsorship.
In another effort, Lantern Moon is working with the A-Luoi tribe in Vietnam to preserve a long-venerated but fragile textile art: hand woven cloth with beads as design elements. It is woven on backstrap looms by a community of women in villages in the central highlands of Vietnam.
By strengthening individuals and families, Lantern Moon aspires to help communities improve the standards for all. Besides social and economic goals, the company is committed to sustainable production practices. Having seen firsthand through long term relationships that resources are precious and must be cared for, Lantern Moon continually seeks ways to protect the environment.
The company will never knowingly buy products that are illegally harvested. The woods, grasses, reeds, and other materials used for baskets and tools are carefully selected for their long-term viability and their benefits to the communities from which they come. The original woods that Lantern Moon chose to produce knitting needles were selected after intense, careful consultation with local suppliers, ministries of forestry and personal verification of the long-term viability of the resource.
In 2007, Lantern Moon began shifting the balance toward sustainability, supporting only those suppliers who make effective use of forest resources. These practices encourage suppliers to improve efficiency in the use and harvest of natural resources while minimizing environmental impacts.
Lantern Moon is a company with an admirable plan and mission. While striving to preserve centuries-old cultures, traditions and art forms, the company has enriched our lives. Every time you purchase a Lantern Moon product you help protect the environment and support social structures in economically distressed parts of the world.
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Beautiful detailing and luxurious materials make this shoulder bag a must-have for your collection. Special pleating in the taffeta band accents softly ruched linen. Finished with silver toned hardware. Generously sized at 16" high x 13" wide in green or black.
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Handcrafted by master weavers, and featuring a draw-string silk lining, the Boca collection of bags will meet your every need. Of natural seagrass, these versatile baskets are beautiful, functional and durable. In three sizes with a wide choice of liner colors.
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Make a statement of sophisticated style and casual elegance with this cotton duck bag quilted with metallic silver threads and silver rivets. It has a wide comfortable shoulder strap, one outside zip pocket and three inside. It's the perfect bag for any need!
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Store your precious Lantern Moon needles in a silk tri-fold needle case that's practical and beautiful, too. Each roomy case has 9 wide pockets and 9 narrow sleeves to fit straight, circular and DPNs, plus there's a zippered compartment to hold small accessories.
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Sock knitters will love this innovative storage case. The iridescent taffeta fan opens to a circular case with 13 pockets for your double pointed needles and crochet hooks. The translucent liner makes everything visible, and the case closes securely with a magnetic clasp.
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March right to the C Suite with your knitting needles at hand in this classy envelope clutch style needle case. Softly ruched pewter taffeta is lined with a graphic rose print. The 14 pockets are ample storage for straight and circular needles. A magnetic clasp secures your treasured needles.
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Bright, perky and lively for those who prefer a style that swings, this tri-fold case is a great storage solution for crochet hooks and double pointed needles. It has 9 narrow pockets, 3 wide pockets and an inside zippered pocket, too. The fold-over top keeps your needles securely inside.
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Using generations-old techniques, master weavers twist natural and black palm with natural seagrass to create an elegant triple weave basket. Lined in ecru silk with a black and ecru drawstring closure, this piece demonstrates artful elegance. Roomy studio size holds a lot!
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Lantern Moon transforms everyday bags into stunning accessories with vibrant silk taffeta meticulously sewn into all-purpose bags. Use this handy 8" x 5" size to carry a knitting project, as a gift bag, or as a shopping tote. There are 11 brilliant colors to choose from. You'll want more than one!
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Stow your double point needles and crochet hooks securely in the Silk Wrap 'n Roll Needle Case. Superior workmanship is on display here. The outer shell of luminous turquoise taffeta is lined with colorful striped with 8 pockets, each with a taffeta flap for security. A popular item! Be sure to order yours quickly!
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This traditionally woven basket is inspired by the rice basket used to carry rice from the fields and to display the grain in the marketplace. Village artisans hand weave these baskets using salt water reed that is sustainably harvested, hand dyed and flattened by a hand press.
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This bag is a gorgeous blend of palm fiber with rays of vibrant hues -- turquoise, royal blue and natural. Great for summer, this tropical tote has pretty turquoise silk lining with three inside pockets. Hurry! Limited quantities are available.
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The Origami bag is crafted of natural folded palm leaf and lined with raw silk that ties securely at the top. This bag will be your constant companion, holding knitting projects, beach gear, or all that you need for a simple picnic.
Limited quantities available.
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You could win a Lantern Moon Gift Collection worth over $150. This fantastic prize includes two balls of Lantern Moon Silk Gelato yarn, Sox Stix, Straight Needles, a Sheep door mat, notepad, tape measure and Repair hook. To enter, you must correctly answer this question: "What Balinese fabric art is used to create the new Lantern Moon needle cases and accessory bags?"
Send an email with your answer to
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
. A winner will be drawn at random from all correct entries received. One entry per person, please.
Entries must be received by 6/30/2010 and the winner will be announced on 7/6/2010 in our blog, Shear Bagatelle.
Congratulations!
The winner of our Tahki Spotlight gift package was Betty M. of Fairfax, VT.
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