Just returned from Asia!

Hello Jane Diaz fans!

We just returned from an epic adventure to India and Nepal to work on our latest line of jewelry and scarves... and had many inspirational experiences along the way! Though often almost wilting from the oppressive Indian summer heat, we managed to wander through local markets, explore historical temples and forts, and soak up the colors, textures, and local style to incorporate into our latest collection available for Holiday 2010!

We spent the first week in Jaipur India working with local fabric dyers to create a new line of cotton scarves tie-dyed in the traditional Rajistani method called Bandhani. In this process, the intricate tie-dye patterns are made through an elaborate process of wrapping threads around minute gathers in the fabric. And when the the dye has dried... you get to pull the fabric and pop all of the threads off revealing the pattern!

We also spend hours pouring over piles of gorgeous cut gems searching for the most beautiful and exciting to include in our latest line. We found stunning colored druzies, quartz with golden fibers throughout, brilliant rubies and emeralds, and much more!

In Nepal we visited the workshop where our jewelry is made by hand, and got to work! The factory was bustling with silver being milled, stones being set, and wire being stretched (yes by hand!) for ear wires. It was amazing to see each piece we designed come to life in front of our eyes.

We also met with a cashmere scarf-producer in Kathmandu and got a tour of the factory- seeing threads being spun so fast the very air seemed to vibrate and after 5 different processes finally creating a beautiful, flawless scarf. We spent days rubbing our faces in the softest cashmere in the world, and couldn't leave without bringing some of it back with us.

After a tearful goodbye with the silversmiths, the managers, and yes even the stray Nepali dog we adopted, we packed up and set off to return to New York- with suitcases full of goodies to bring back to...you!

And as this is the inauguration of our new *blog!* we thought we would share a bit of our Asian adventure with you...