CHAMTSEE
Lanzhou, China ·
CHAMTSEE
A small handcraft workshop in TibetLanzhou, China 10 Sales On Etsy since 2016
CHAMTSEE is taking a short break
Reviews
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Manuel Honegger on Dec 20, 2016
5 out of 5 starsAs expected, it is beautifully soft and warm. Thank you.
About
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It isn't just hard work, we have some fun group outings too. Here everyone had the day off to visit ancient caves.
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Dolmakyab at his sewing machine.
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Takla and Rinchenkyi threading the warp ready for weaving.
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Winding a warp. A view of the workshop showing three of our seven looms.
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Rinchenkyi in the dye workshop. The day I took this photo, she was dyeing with Rhubarb and made a beautiful yellow.
I want to create a workshop where people are happy, making beautiful things that will give them an income so that they can better themselves.
Chamtsee means compassion in Tibetan. It is a very small workshop at present, but we have big dreams for the future and are taking it step by step. We wish to employ Tibetan nomads, to help with the changing nomadic way of life, and to keep our cultural values alive for humanity.
Tibetan nomads have lived an all handmade lifestyle up until very recently. They make their yak tents, their dress, fuel, saddles for horses and yaks, carpeting and houses with stone or rammed earth walls.
With our appreciation of handmade, I was encouraged to start a venture, an enterprise, in Gannan Tibetan autonomous prefecture in Gansu province in China, for the preservation of Tibetan art and craftsmanship.
It is clear that there is a need for employment in the nomad community, so with the help of my close family and relatives we are creating something special and meaningful. Chamtsee employs local people, we are training them in traditional skills like natural dyeing, spinning and weaving and thus utilising local materials like wool, tseepa and khullu becomes easy; we live in the middle of tens of thousands of yaks and sheep.
Shop members
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Dolma Kyap
Owner, Photographer, Marketer
I was born in Zorgey in Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture and growing up as a nomad I went to school in Labrang. I have lived in India for more than twenty years, and from there have travelled around the world and have recently returned to Tibet.
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Sangye Dolma and Dolmaykab
Spinner/Knitter, Tailor
Sangye Dolma is my sister, she hands spins the khullu fibre and knits hats. Her husband Dolmakyab makes our hand-woven fabric into cushion covers.
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Rinchenkyi
Dyer
My sister Rinchenkyi trained to be our natural dyer, and dyes both wool and khullu yarns. She uses local rhubarb and walnuts, and we also buy brazilwood and indigo, so that she can create wonderful colours.
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Takla
Manger/Technician
Takla is Rinchenkyi's husband. He is our Workshop manager, he is also the whizz who fixes everything! He's good at plumbing, electrics and all sorts of DIY jobs. Takla keeps the place running!
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Kalsang and Lhamokyi
Weaver, Spinner
Kalsang and Lhamokyi are from the same village as my brother-in-law. Kalsang is an excellent weaver and loves working with colour. His wife Lhamokyi can also weave, but she spins the khullu too.
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Lhamo Kyap and Damdinkyi
Weaver, Spinner
Lhamo Kyap and his wife Damdinkyi are also from the same village as my brother-in-law. Lhamo Kyap trained as a weaver, and enjoys his work. Damdinkyi is a spinner, and when she isn't spinning, she is very busy winding bobbins of weft for the weavers.
Shop policies
Shipping
Payment options
Returns & exchanges
I accept returns I do not accept returns
I accept exchanges I do not accept exchanges
I accept cancellations I do not accept cancellations
Because of the nature of these items, unless they arrive damaged or defective, I can't accept returns for: