Specially and thoughtfully selected for organic consumers

Well you don't have to necessarily wait for that next trip to India or wish you had an opportunity to shop in India if you have never been there! And what's more! If you are the type who cares for the environment and want to contribute to environmentally sustainable commerce, you are in the right blog!
Presenting "Made in India" products for a greener world!

Here are a few quality, handcrafted and handloom products from rural India mostly made from natural materials- cotton, silk, wood and coloured with vegetable/fruit based dyes.

When you buy these products you support fair trade and also help those rural artisans preserve those centuries of handed down traditions of handwork and skills. Not only do we help them generate income, but also sustain these traditions of handwork that's really part of their culture.

Friday, February 17, 2012

NEW ARRIVAL! Desi Weaves Block Printed Cotton Bags

ARRIVING IN APRIL 2012!

DESI WEAVES is a brand dedicated to flawless workmanship and quality. Specializing in exclusive Indian handloom fabrics and sarees. Contemporary silhouettes with veg dyed fabrics and traditional embellishments.






Drawing inspiration from India and its rich cultural heritage offers vast opportunities to explore and contemporise some of the most beautiful indigenous handicraft traditions.

At desi weaves, craft is not treated like fashion novelty to be forgotten when not in vogue. The attempt has been to constantly find new design directions for the same crafts and colors.
Rigoglioso means 'Rich Harvest'.  The brand genuinely lives up to its name as the rich harvest of the efforts of Brien Woud, the designer  who believe in perfection and finesse. A ready to wear prêt line with an understated elegance . The styles are contemporary, chic and urbane.The brand caters to the discerning woman who knows her mind.

To Check out more of Desi Weaves hand-mades and to pre-order Browse through their Facebook album.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Desi-Weaves/149360241756043?sk=photos

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Terra Black White Sling bag RM 95





Black White Sling Bag
Description: Fresh and vibrant the contemporary design and snazzy details make this terra bag a fab accessory.
Material (Genuine leather)-Type mentioned: Lamb Nappa
Dimension in cm (HxLxB): 15x18x5
Handle Height in cm: 63

Terra Black Pink Sling Bag RM95






Black Pink Sling Bag 2

RM95.00

Description: 
Fresh and vibrant. The contemporary design and snazzy details make this Terra bag a fab accessory.
Material ( Genuine Leather) - Type mentioned: Lamb - Nappa
Dimensions in cm (H x L x B): 15 x 18 x 5
Handle Height in cm: 63

Terra Blue Red Sling Bag RM95






Blue Red Sling Bag


RM95.00

Description: 
Fresh and vibrant. The contemporary design and snazzy details make this Terra bag a fab accessory.
Material ( Genuine Leather) - Type mentioned: Lamb - Nappa
Dimensions in cm (H x L x B): 15 x 18 x 5
Handle Height in cm: 63


Nappa leather or Napa leather is a full-grain leather, typically dyed, made from unsplit kid-, lamb- or sheep-skin by tanning with salts of chromium or aluminium sulfate, and noted for softness and durability. It is often used in high-quality leather products such as high-end furniture and accessories. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nappa_leather

Terra Bags Maroon Hobo Bag RM250








Maroon Hobo Bag
Description: 
This hobo from terra has an attractive crescent shape and an ornate brooch studded on the fold over flap. Perfect for both day and evening use.
Material ( Genuine Leather) - Type mentioned: Lamb - Classic
Dimensions in cm (H x L x B): 33 x 70 x 32
Handle Height in cm: 28

RM250.00

Terra Bags Mary 41 RM 270.00







Red Hand Bag
Description: 
Quite the stunner with its sharp edges , smooth lines and elegant design aesthetics, this terra top handle is a gorgeous addition to your wardrobe
Material ( Genuine Leather) - Type mentioned: Lamb - Classic
Dimensions in cm (H x L x B): 28 x 28 x 8
Handle Height in cm: 15

RM270.00


Terra Bags Black Red Drawstring Purse







Black Red Drawstring Purse
Description: With scintillating perforation that draw attention from all corners, this sling bag from Terra is a perfect combination to jazz up your outfit.
Material: Genuine leather; Type mentioned - Lamb Nappa Perforated
Dimension 33x30x10 cm HxLxB
Handle height 30 cm

Terra Bags Lauren 31 RM320






Red Shoulder Bag 2
Description: 
This shoulder bag from Terra adds an elegant yet carefree style to your ensemble . Casual chic with a zesty aura.
Material ( Genuine Leather) - Type mentioned: Lamb - Nappalon
Dimensions in cm (H x L x B): 44 x 40 x 7
Handle Height in cm: 30



RM 320

Terra Bags Lauren33a










Lauren33a, made in suede, detailed with a flower foiled suede in powder blue. Add a touch of gold and voila...
Modelled by the show stopper Parvathi Omanakuttan.


Description: 
Experiment with geometric tessellations that make this top handle bag a unique and attractive accessory
Material ( Genuine Leather) - Type mentioned: Pig Suede
Dimensions in cm (H x L x B): 43 x 40 x 15
Handle Height in cm: 9

Terra Bags Mary 34











Purple Hand Bag
Description: 
Subtle style that speaks volumes. A laid back attitude and an underrated elegance is the way to go. A great choice for day use.
Material ( Genuine Leather) - Type mentioned: Lamb - Nappalon
Dimensions in cm (H x L x B): 18 x 18 x 46
Handle Height in cm: 14

Friday, September 30, 2011

Machilipatnam magic


Machilipatnam magic

PUSHPA CHARI
EXOTIC DISPLAY: P.M. Easwarudu and his creations. PHOTO: M. VEDHAN
EXOTIC DISPLAY: P.M. Easwarudu and his creations. PHOTO: M. VEDHAN
Originally used as decorative wall hangings of the Muslim royalty of South India, Kalamkari, the hand-painted and block printed textile craft, was Persian-inspired, with the ‘Tree of Life’ as the dominant motif against a profusion of flowers, creepers and birds. The Machilipatnam ‘Mihrab’ created by master artisan P.M. Easwarudu and his father Nageswara Rao for the Festival of India in 1982 is a masterpiece of Kalamkari.Sadly Machilipatnam Kalamkari craft went into near oblivion in the early 20th century due to changing lifestyles and lack of patronage. It was resuscitated in the 1960s by visionaries such as Kamala Devi Chattopadhyay, Nelli Sethna, Pupul Jayakar and others. Painstakingly going through old Kalamkari collections and loads of forgotten blocks, and working with artisans such as Easwarudu they have revived Kalamkari.
Easwarudu, who was an integral part of this great revival, is in Chennai to participate in Craft’s Bazaar 2011, organised by the Crafts Council of India. Surrounded by his incredible oeuvre of Kalamkari bed linen, table linen, saris, yardage, scarves and stoles he speaks of his passion for Kalamkari, its present and future…
The revival of Machilipatnam Kalamkari…
By the 1960s Kalamkari had all but died out. At this juncture Kamla Deviji helped the Balyagudem Cooperative Industry, an organisation which worked with Kalamkari artisans. The craft got a further lease of life with Nelli Sethna’s intervention. She studied the craft from old manuscripts and books and got hold of ancient printing blocks. She stayed in our village for two months and exposed us to new Kalamkari formats, borders, bed sheets, table linen and saris using the old blocks. So beautiful were her formats that we only had to say “This is a Nelli Sethna design” and it would sell. I worked closely with her.
I believe the Festival of India really placed Kalamkaris centre stage…
Yes, it was in 1982. Martand Singh collected a lot of Kalamkari museum pieces and got blocks made in Mumbai based on their patterns. Martand Singh’ s team headed by Gautam Vaghela who was then Director, Design Weaver’s Centre, Mumbai, also did a lot of research on natural dyes which threw up many new vegetable dyes, shades and tones. Martand also developed three new designs for the Festival of India’s ‘Vishvakarma Exhibition’. One of them was the Machlipatnam Mihrab which you see behind me.
How did the project take off?
Martand Singh and his team brought the blocks and patterns to my village in search of artisans. My father and I did the job. We learnt to use the old block patterns and also customise them to suit clients’ tastes. We developed new blocks, which together with the expanded colour palette have given new life to the craft.
Do you use all these techniques?
Yes, my saris, wall hangings, fabric and linen are a mix of old and new techniques of colours and motifs. We continue to adopt new trends in blocks and formats.
What is the state of Kalamkari block print today?
Not entirely satisfactory. Many units have sprung up. They make cheap screen printed Kalamkari saris, fabric etc. There is adulteration in colours and patterns. Many from the younger generation have left in search of more paying jobs. Government schemes to help craftsmen hardly reach the Kalamkari artisan.
(Easwarudu’s Machilipatnam Kalamkari saris, fabric, salwar kameez outfits, bed and table linen etc. are on view at Crafts Bazaar 2011 – Stall No. 3, Valluvar Kottam, Nungambakkam High Road, till October 2.)

Natural ingredients used to make organic colors for Block printing.

http://www.dhonk.com/

Dhonk is a private company making handicrafts in and around Ranthambhore. It aims to provide a sustainable livelihood to people living near Ranthambhore.
Dhonk’s objective is to promote raw local talent and bring out the colors of Rajashtan for the consumer. Dhonk is blend of ethnic and modernistic fashion giving the best of both the worlds to the buyer. It is focused on achieving perfection steadily to bring maximum joy for its patrons.


Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Handcrafted 100% pure, genuine, Lamb Leather and Suede Handbags!

While I sort out a technical problem on my computer please check out the latest collection of Handcrafted bags that have arrived in September as promised by me on my facebook page!!


What makes TERRA different is that it is not an assembly line production. Each piece is individually handcrafted by skilled artisans to produce a collection that is distinct and heart-stopping. With such attention to detail we found the finish comparable to designer luxury bags seen only abroad. Coming stuffed with tiny branded fill-pillows, trimmed with the choicest accessories and in their very own dust covers, these bags are certainly a new age in self indulgence and celebrating fashion!




To check out more bags from Terra visit their website and download their catalogue. The friendly owners can arrange for overseas shipping if you like their collections :)


http://www.theterraworld.com/

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Chanderi


Chanderi fabrics are known for their sheer texture, light weight and a glossy transparency that sets them apart from textiles produced en masse in factories. Traditionally, the fabric was woven using very fine hand spun cotton warps and wefts, which accounted for its delicate texture.

 It was spun as fine as 300 counts, and was as prized amongst cotton fabrics as the famed muslins of Dhaka. However, the Industrial Revolution sounded the first death knell on this beautiful textile. The British imported cheaper 120 to 200 count cotton from Manchester, which greatly eroded the market for the more expensive Chanderi cloth.
Traditionally, the quality of the gold thread used distinguished Chanderi saris from cheaper imitations. Most Chanderis have a rich gold border and two lines of gold on the pallu. Some have gold checks or little motifs (known as Butis) all over.
 
To read more on this textile wonder follow the link below.







I am selling this gorgeous light weight dupatta with cotton and silk woven with pure gold zari at the border.