One of my personal delights when travelling is to discover those things that local artisans are making, and if it’s reasonable and affordable, I love to buy an example of good craftsmanship to take home as a souvenir. Of course, earrings make wonderful personal souvenirs, and as I sift through my considerable collection, I feel a bit in common with Emelda Marcos and her shoe thing. I mostly wear my favourites that I reach for every day, but there are many others which Iwear occasionally either because they’re very seasonal or go best with particular garments – but I do remember where I bought every single pair 🙂

Here in Montevideo there are several artisan co-op craft galleries where well made things are sold, and when I’m going to the US or Australia, I love to buy a few such things to take with me as gifts for beloveds or friends where I’m going.

As a fibreartist, though, many of my own travel souvenirs are interesting examples of local fibre or textile art, and I’m especially interested in the practical, everyday object not made for the tourist market, one which also displays some decoration in its execution. This covered shell seed carrier is a favourite example – and this one still contains some seeds in line with it’s original purpose. I fell in love the minute I saw it way back in my 2006 visit to Paraguay with dear late friend Kitty. I should probably take a few of those seeds to see if they’ll germinate in the spring weather we’re just starting to experience.

I know little about basketry techniques, so can’t say precisely how it was made, but I’m sure it was most likely the work of an indigenous woman, whose role in the traditional hunter gatherer society of the northern, Chaco region of the country included the making of bags and baskets using plant and animal fibres for carrying food and children. I like the way it was shaped and sized to fit the shell, and the edges were sewn up with a very fine, hand-made twisted plant fibre cord.