When traveling in the southern Mexican state of Oaxaca, I got to travel to Teotitlán, a small town specializing in wool and weaving.
![Raw wool](http://kenstorch.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Raw-Wool_KE17938.jpg)
One of the few places open on the afternoon when we arrived was a small cafe run by Teresa Lopez. It was attached to her weaving store which fronted from her family home and factory.
![Carding the raw wool](http://kenstorch.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Carding-Wool_KE17943.jpg)
She showed us how she, and her family, carded the wool; cleaning and separating the fibers.
![Mixing the dyes](http://kenstorch.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Teresa-Mixing-Dyes_KE17978.jpg)
![Mixing the dyes](http://kenstorch.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Mixing-Dyes_KE17968.jpg)
![Adding lime to the dye](http://kenstorch.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Mixing-Dyes_KE17977.jpg)
The simple additives of acid and alkali change the dyes through a limited spectrum.
![Some wool after spinning and dyeing](http://kenstorch.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Lee-Ann-Root-7296.jpg)
![Reddish colors derived from Cochineal Dyes](http://kenstorch.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Cochineal-Colors_KE17982.jpg)
![The colors that her family is known for](http://kenstorch.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Dye-Colors-of-the-Family_KE17984.jpg)
I asked Teresa if there were specific things that her family of weavers was known for, and she showed me the above color group.
![The full range of colors that her family produces](http://kenstorch.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Dye-Colors_KE17985.jpg)
![Teresa demonstrates weaving on one of her looms](http://kenstorch.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Loom_KE17990.jpg)
![Her son Chuy with the stickers I gave him](http://kenstorch.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Chuy_KE17964.jpg)
![Teresa's mother shucking corn in the back courtyard](http://kenstorch.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Teresas-Mom_KE17953.jpg)
![Teresa and her family out to see the festival](http://kenstorch.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Teresas-Family_KE18442.jpg)
Later that day, we were out to see the festival that we actually came to Teotitlán to see, when I saw Teresa and here family viewing from a side street. It took a bit of cajoling to get them all into the picture, but I think it was worth it for the impromptu family portrait.
Manuel Bazán & Teresa Lopez
Av. Hildago No. 26
Teotitlán del Valle,
Oaxaca, Mexico
![Some of Teresa's finished weavings in her shop](http://kenstorch.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Lee-Ann-Root-7289.jpg)
Thanks for the acknowledgment.
Another fabulous grouping!!!!!!!!
and thanks for your pic too.