Tum Tum Threads

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We are blessed to have Bruce Alfred joining us for a Bentwood Box Making Demonstration. As well as being a hugely accomplished artist and beautiful human being, he is the genius behind Tumtum Threads—Weaving Stories, Weaving Cultures.

Tumtum is more than a brand; it's a tapestry of hope, culture, and unity. Tumtum embodies the spirit of collaboration, bringing together the First Nations families of the Kwakwaka'wakw in the Pacific Northwest Coast and the proud Indigenous Zapotec families of the Central Valley of Oaxaca. 

In Teotitlan, a renowned Zapotec weaving village, the weavers have sustained their traditions over generations, primarily producing woolen rugs. The cushions for Tumtum, skillfully handmade by Arnulfo Lazaro Bautista's family, are dyed using entirely natural methods using techniques passed down from generation to generation.

The dyes used in Tumtum's products come in four distinct colors:

• ​Blue, dyed with Indigo.
• Red, dyed with Cochinia.
• Black, dyed with Zapote Negro (with a plum-like taste).
• Grey, crafted from two types of sheep wool, requiring no dye.

Mitla, famous for its ancient ruins and intricate mosaics, serves as the backdrop for Zapotec rug designs. Arturo Hernandez Quero's family, Tumtum's partners in Mitla, masterfully craft products using both cotton and wool, employing the pedal loom technique to create their throws.

Tumtum is a celebration of diversity, a symbol of the beauty that emerges when cultures intertwine. As you hold Tumtum threads in your hands, it's a reminder that we are all connected, no matter where we come from. 

Tumtum shares handmade Oaxaca weavings of artisan blankets, throws, pillows and tapestries using Traditional 'Namgis designs. Their inaugural product line showcases the exquisite craftsmanship of Oaxacan artisans. It is a blend of two honoured cultures woven beautifully.

Their offering includes meticulously handwoven blankets, throws, cushion covers, and tapestries—each infused with the rich heritage of 'Namgis patterns and cultural significance. Each piece is a work of art celebrating this coming together—the impeccable quality something to enjoy for a lifetime and pass on to the next generation. 

​To see more of their work, visit tumtumthreads.com