Afghanistan: Made using natural dyes and handspun wool. Proceeds from the sale of this rug benefit the Ersari Cultural Survival Project. The goals of this project were to revive the art of the traditional Ersari Turkmen carpet, as well as to provide support for Ersari Turkmen refugees. The principle dye sources used in this rug are madder root for red, indigo for blue, and insparak flower or pomegranate husks for yellow. Manipulation and combination of these dye sources allows for a wide palette of colors. Wool is as important as dyes to the creation of a great rug. Only hand carded, hand spun wool most consistent with the lustrous, long staple wool found in antique Ersari Turkmen carpets is used. All of the carpets are washed in soap and water only. While they may shine less initially, the long term benefits to the customer are great. This is the way in which these carpets were traditionally finished. The wonderful sheen they developed came after years of use and washing. To read about the genesis of this unique weaving project, take a look at this article.