La Palma has a long history of silk production, going back to the 16th century. In fact, at one time, silk was made in all the Canary Islands, but since the 19th century, El Paso, in the centre of La Palma, is the only place which still produces it. They use an old fashioned, labour-intensive technique, the only place in Europe which still does so. You can see most of…
Traditional embroidery, Casa Lujan, Puntallana, La Palma There’s a shop of crafts from La Palma beside the museum at Casa Lujan in Puntallana. It sells things like traditional embroidery and ceramics. In the centre of the room, there’s a traditional loom, although they didn’t have any rugs for sale when I was there. (Palmeran rugs are made with a linen warp, and rag weft. If you order one, you generally…
Traditional embroidery Every year on La Palma they hold a craft fair. This year it’s in Barlovento, in the large building on the main street with all the flags outside. Jewellery made from dragon tree seeds There are over 80 stands, displaying a huge variety of products. Lots of traditional embroidery and baskets, of course, but also things I’d never seen before, like tied-dyed baby-clothes and ceramic-and-feather dragons. Handmade glass…