The Ancient Crafts of Georgia
Tours and Creative Retreats
Some ten years ago, I visited the Republic of Georgia, a small country just south of the Caucasus mountains that used to form part of the old Silk Road trading route.
I went to explore its songs with the Bristol Georgian Choir (Georgia has an amazing singing tradition), and I fell in love with its crafts.
I have returned each year since then and in so doing, I have got to understand some of the issues that family craft business and artisans are facing in this rapidly changing country.
I love this ancient and fascinating country, as it grapples with the need to improve economically while maintaining its ancient traditions and cultural integrity.
I am now organising Craft Tours and Creative Retreats and taking people to the artisans directly, helping crafts to become part of rural development to improve the economy of families and to promote the importance of passing these skills on from generation to generation.
This trip is a unique experience through the contact with artisans in their own homes, learning useful skills while understanding the roots and context of the crafts.
I only take small groups, so we can have lots of personal contact with our teachers and space to immerse ourselves in the culture.
During our tour we will be visiting places of cultural interest, eating locally prepared food, tasting some of the best natural wines in the world and learning about Georgia through its crafts.
I am really happy to tailor my trips to what you want to learn, Wool, Wood or Metal Crafts, Embroidery or Enamel Jewel Making, Ceramics or Carpet making, Cooking Traditional Georgian Food, Supra and Wine Tasting.
Whatever way you want to explore the country, I will be happy to take you there!
You can register your interest now by sending me an email: more@palomasuarez.org
This is a general overview of the trip. Each tour is unique!
Next Trip - Dates to be confirmed
( This date is likely to have to be postponed but please register your interest)
We operate on a first come, first served basis. To secure your place please send a deposit of £250
Price: TBC
Included: food and accommodation, workshops and masterclasses with expert translators, transport within the country and all visits
Not included : flights and transfers to/from airports
Direct flights from London to Kutaisi with Wizzair for under £200 also direct from Gatwick to Tbilisi with Georgian airways for under £400. Many other airlines offer flights to Georgia from UK or you can travel by train and bus.
Contact me if you need help
PACKAGE INCLUDES:
Accommodation, food and transport:
Our base will be Sighnaghi , we will stay in Aprili House.
Hotels through our trip.
Transport during the tour.
All Meals with beer or wine.
Entrance to museums and other cultural venues
All craft workshops
All master classes
Guides and translators
Wine tasting and visit to a vineyard
Opera or Ballet IF dates match our itinerary
Visits:
Sighnaghi
Visits to Alaverdi Monastery
Guided visits to the National Museum and the Georgian Craft Museum
Nukriani women’s cooperative
Visit to Wool Factory
Visit to Antiques market in Tbilisi and carpet shop
Workshops:
Carding and Spinning with Tushetian Wool
Natural Dyes and taste of home made “chacha and cheese”
Weaving
Wet felting
Doll Making from the Caucasus Tribes.
Visit to wood carving workshop
Enamel.
Ceramics
More....
For deposit and payment plans please contact me: more@palomasuarez.org There may be some final adjustments to our program closer to the time of our tour.
If you are interested in a particular craft or aspect of it, please let me know and I will try to make it happen!
We appreciate you may not be a seasoned traveller and we are happy to help you getting the transfers to the airport organised for you.
I have been honoured and delighted to contribute as a speaker in several significant events in Tbilisi. These are the titles of my talks and workshops:
2022 Ethnofest, International Summit South Caucasus Crafts.
Workshop for the artisans:
“ How to structure a craft workshop for tourists”
2019 The Georgian Heritage Crafts Association
Workshop for Artisans:
"From Artisan's Workshop to Tourist Destination. A practical guide"
2018 Ethnofest, International Summit of Georgian Crafts
Talk Title:
"Craft Tourism in Georgia Sustainability and Growth"
2016 first Ethnofest, International Summit of Georgian Crafts
Talk Title:
"Importance of Crafts in Rural Development"
What People Are Saying from the Craft Tour of Georgia
Paloma is a wise and generous soul who leads you through a land of rich history and craft. Her connection to Georgia and its people is evident in the quality of the artisans who have chosen to share their skills.
This is no tourist flyby but instead a chance to be and do, to experience time in the homes and workshops of gifted
women who have learned their craft through generations - and created anew.
There are opportunities to observe ancient ways of dyeing wool, weaving and spinning, to wet felt and to try your hand at doll making, in the style of the regional people of the Caucasus or your own traditions.
This is an unforgettable experience from start to finish. And you come back with enough wool to keep you busy ‘til the next time…
Thank you Paloma and Anthony for sharing your vision with us.
— Michele Eve
Our teachers all shared this extraordinary generosity of spirit that made family members of every guest received. And what a talented family!
Each day of this Craft Tour was STUFFED full of kindness; inspiration; generosity; talent; passion; openness; joy. I'm still trying to digest it all..... Thank you,
— Janina Karpinska
I have recently returned from Paloma’s Georgia Ancient Craft Tour and am still processing the whole experience.
Paloma takes you to meet her artisan friends and we witnessed ancient crafts being made.
We tried our hand at felting and doll making with wonderful expert women.
The generosity shown by Paloma’s friends reflects her warm friendships and we were invited into their homes and given delicious Georgian food and drinks.
The experience of being immersed in local culture and warmly welcomed in friendship is life changing!
— Pippa Hawkins
TALKS AND WORKSHOPS UK
Would you and your group or friends like to know more about Georgian Crafts?
I have come across so many people in the UK that want to know about Georgian Crafts, that I have now put together a presentation, with samples, images, music and a talk about my experience of crafts, people and the country.
I take with me some of the tools and samples of different crafts that I have acquired through my travels, and the stories attached to those.
I you would like to invite me to give a presentation or to hold a workshop, let me know by writing to
more@palomasuarez.org
"We were delighted to host Paloma as our guest speaker in May 2019. I would venture to guess that most folks in attendance would not be able to locate the Republic of Georgia on a map, yet by the end of Paloma's presentation, we had the beginnings of an intimate connection to the Georgian people and the unique crafts they enjoy. She is engaging, funny, confident and very passionate about her goal to bring an awareness of Georgian artisans to the world. We can't wait to see what evolves with her project and how we, at Wool on the Exe, can help benefit the Georgian wool traders."
Deborah Judd
“It was certainly our pleasure to have you as our guest last night. Everyone spoke highly of your talk and felt very motivated by your passion for the Georgian crafts people"
Centre for Georgian Crafts
During our Craft Tours we will spend some time in Sighnaghi where we will receive craft masters to teach us some of the workshops.
In Sighnaghi we will stay in a beautiful house that had been renovated to its original state while honouring the traditional style of houses built in Eastern Georgia. The renovation was done with help from a Crowdfunding campaign in 2017 and the house aims to be a “Centre for Georgian Crafts”
Since travelling to the country we have met some of the family members that used to live in the house. They have told us stories of their upbringing and the happiness and joy they used to feel when growing up together with their close and extended family.
We hope the “Centre for Georgian Crafts” will become a place where local artisans can display and sell their crafts; silk weavings, carpets, wood carvings, enamel work and jewellery. This is our contribution to keeping alive these crafts by becoming more sustainable to the teachers and their families.
