We are Jim and Diane Gaffney and run a business called Textile Traders. We love textiles and we have a shop in Bishop’s Castle, South Shropshire which specialises in hand made textiles from many parts of the world, but especially from the countries we know really well – Turkey, Thailand and Indonesia. We buy as much as we can directly from the makers themselves and make it our job to ensure that they get a fair price for their work.
I started writing this blog when we set off on a great overland journey from Uzbekistan to Indonesia. At every stop on the way I bought a textile and tried to find out something about it. It was a wonderful way to travel and meet interesting people, so I highly recommend it!
I still write a blog whenever I feel inspired to do so – its usually when I’m travelling as I have more time to do it then
Have a look at our website www.textiletraders.co.uk
And if you’re interested in getting a regular (ish) newsletter from me, you can sign up for it there.
asiatextilejourney 
Hi Diane and Jim! I remember taking this photo of you two. What a great couple you make! Thanks for sharing your blog with me. I can’t wait to read all about your amazing journey. Good luck!
I was really pleased to receive the email explaining why there was a problem with your blog as I had not been following it and now I am entranced.
I am going to follow the Silk Road with Footprints, a Kiwi outfit who offer a wonderful programme following the route from Shanghai to Tashkent. Their information is excellent but yours is even better. I love the real life experiences of post offices and toilets.
Looking forward to following in your footsteps at least a bit.
Forget the fabrics… how’s the beer?
Hey you Gaffs
Have very much enjoyed your blogging so far. Where are you now?
Hope all’s well and you’re still having a fine time.
I am finding this in May 2013 and you have done pretty much my dream trip… wow!! Really interesting, particularly about Kashgar and the Uyghurs.
Hi Diane,
Really enjoyed reading your blog. I travelled to Java in the early 90’s and had a guide who reluctantly showed us some batik workshops. We went to Borobudor and the Sultan’s Palace. It was part of a trip to the Far East – Bali, Lombok, Hong Kong and Bangkok so we only had a few days in each place. I wish I’d left out Java then and travelled on your trip. I would be repeating the touristy things if I went again.
Hi Barbara
Thanks for the comment Barbara and I recommend you come to Java again. I go every year and never get tired of going to the Kraton to watch the dancing and listen to the gamelan, I still love going to see the puppet shows, the Ramayana Ballet and have even been to Borobodur 5 times! there’s always something new to learn.
Just chanced upon your blog- and am delighted! It sounds so interesting. I love textiles.
Stumbled upon your blog and promptly fell down a rabbit hole. I started with an abiding love of Indian textiles, but a love of handmade textiles opens up worldwide paths, such as the one you’ve taken. Bookmarked, and following you now!
Jim and Diane Gaffney I am writing a book for children about backstrap loom in El Salvador, my country. Need to contact you to ask your authorization to publish in this book two pictures from your blog. Please contact me at my institutional university mail enclose. I work as a researcher at the José Matías Delgado University in El Salvador. Thank you for your attention to this note.