2008 July > Oriental Rug Seminar at Ten Thousand Villages

Ten Thousand Villages in Downtown Oakville recently held an Oriental Rug Seminar that demonstrated the ancient art of rug creation, from setting up the warp to tying the fringes. It offered a broad overview, ideal for anyone considering a rug purchase. Ten Thousand Villages works exclusively with JAKCISS Oriental Rugs. Based in Lahore, JAKCISS was started in the late 1960s by a Pakistani Baptist pastor who was concerned about the economic, spiritual and personal welfare of the people in his area. Since then, the organization has grown to include over 750 families from 100 villages. A leader in the Fair Trade movement for more than 60 years, Ten Thousand Villages provides fair wages, working capital and a market for artisans in more than 35 countries around the world. Rugs purchased at their Oriental Rug event in June will help enrich the lives of the artisans by providing income for food, health care, education and improved housing.