We just got back from 12 days of non stop sourcing and back to back photoshoots. We woke each morning to a traditional Moroccan breakfast which consisted of a lot of bread (which I never eat) and fresh squeezed orange juice, which in my opinion is the best tasting orange juice you can get on the planet. (if you like a lot of pulp) Instagram has a way of making our sourcing trips look really glamorous. As much as I thoroughly enjoy the creative process of my job, sourcing good rugs is a lot of work. It is very easy to get to Marrakesh and start buying up everything you see if you don't take quality into consideration. But, as a designer I know the exact color palette, weave, tribe and symbols I am going for in each piece. It takes a lot of digging through dusty piles to get to some of the best. Because of the language barrier some vendors are harder to communicate with which can make some days longer, but it is all a a part of the hunt. My trip to Morocco last fall prepped me to walk the souk maze and get what I need at a fast pace. We documented some of the journey this year with video and can't wait to show you what daily sourcing really looks like. Here is a little peek into a day with us:

7:00 AM- get up and eat breakfast

9:00 AM- head out into the souk to start the hunt. Sometimes we hunt all day and skip lunch. A couple times I scarfed down a sandwich in a shop while I was examining rugs.

4:00 PM-head back to the riad with a huge cart that we fondly called a "Tuk Tuk" but is actually called a carousel. These carts are pushed through the busy souk streets by men that work hard every day to earn their money. Many people do not tip these guys enough. I try to tip them well and the smile on their face makes me happy. (They are there to help at any time as well).

5:00 PM- start getting ready for a photoshoot and shoot until dark

One of the ways we like to market Semikah Textiles rugs is by photographing them in their element. The Berber Women spend hours weaving their stories into each piece so it is one way we can display them as art. The creative sessions are some of my fondest memories on our trips and are not without a little mint tea, chatting with people that have hosted us for the shoot and lots of laughs. Not to mention my biceps have gotten quite large because Moroccan rugs are quite heavy to lift.

Here is a peek into our day