Shai-Kesh Is Moving…and so am I!

Due to your purchases and support Shai-Kesh has enough business and work to move into the center of Karakol, Kyrgyzstan. This move has been long awaited, especially by our director and designer Eylina.

I met Eylina through my host mom Gulmira Apa sometime in July 2010. At the time Eylina was unemployed. She was living in a 4-room house with eight other family members. Four of them slept in one room, three slept in the other. Grandpa would sleep on the couch. It was extremely crowded and uncomfortable. Eylina had 3 degrees, a degree in English, Real Estate, and Economics. However, like many, many people in Kyrgyzstan she was unsuccessful at finding employment.

Now when I came to Kyrgyzstan I knew that I wanted to develop help business here. Volunteer, Carl Beien, who arrived a year before me had posted on his blog www.kyrgycarl.com photos of laptop sleeves, slippers, and other products that he had developed with groups of women in his community. In February 2010 before I came to Kyrgyzstan I stumbled across his blog and found myself fascinated with the products he was producing. The felt, wool, and silk products made in this country truly are beautiful. However they are still far from Western eyes, thus making a great opportunity for a young American who can learn language quickly and establish connections between both cultures.

In September 2010 I gave Eylina my first order, an order for 5 felt pencil cases. It was quite obvious that these would not be successful upon the perpetual lukewarm feedback received. However, it was way too early to give up. At that point we decided to make scarves. Commissioned by Color & Design Studios for their 2010 Holiday Party, Eylina in her 4-room, 8 people house produced the first Shai-Kesh products. 55 Silk-Wool Scarves.

Through proceeds from Color & Design we were able to purchase a sewing machine and begin to expand our product line into: Laptop Sleeves, Wool Carrier Bags, and most recently Felt Slippers. After receiving a few more orders Eylina had finally saved up enough money to leave her house and rent an apartment in Karakol. We were still working out of her apartment, but at least it was hers and she had all of the space she needed to grow her creativity and talent. In this new space Eylina thrived. Her scarves and other work became notably more creative and sophisticated. Various business trips to Bishkek, where we met developed artists like Aidai, Meerim, and Gulya furthered Eylina’s desire to perfect Shai-Kesh products.

Through our classy website www.shaikesh.com, designed by my best friend Ben Legman we have received publicity and connections to further develop our business. Through the orders received through our website and another opportunity (which will be made public in the near future) we have been able to develop a business stable and profitable enough to employ an additional 3 artists. We have also been able to move into an industrial space, right across the street from our partner organization ‘The Artists Union of Karakol.’ Things look good. This is development right here. Providing jobs, bringing cultures together – creating what did not exist.

Along with Shai-Kesh I have also moved, out of the village and into the bigger village! Well Karakol is technically a city…Yes, I have moved out of the village to the big city on the lake.