Shelved

Brought about by the absence of a steady market that should have been ensured as part of a good follow-up for the KKP, revival of the Ifugao natural dyeing was not sustained. The real market scenario was actually the absence of a steady local market and an untapped international clientele.

An entrepreneur that she is, Manang Mary could not help but redirect her efforts to what is really bringing in much profit—woodcarvings. She has her laborers to compensate and a household to maintain. Since her husband is also with her in the business, if she lays the wrong card they might just end up frustrated. However, the orders might have come so occasional and the expected market was not as aggressive, Manang Mary maintained her capacity to dye fabrics naturally since natural dyeing and weaving were a great part of her. She can never leave these just like that.

Today, Manang Mary relies only on tourists and a few number of interested buyers for her naturally dyed products. However, some of her other woven products have yarns dyed naturally with black and woven together with synthetically colored yarns. Although very occasional, she still commissions her Amganad dyers when there are orders.  However, her wooden products are the ones keeping Manang Mary's business alive today. Her weaving is redirected to rattan weaving which is used to adorn her wooden products. However, Manang Mary is also looking into the possible application of natural dyes to rattan. It could also be dyed with brown or black using abundant natural dye sources in Ifugao. However, Alma Joe handicraft has never forgotten its childhood skills and PTRI-enhanced capacity to dye and weave.