Online Handicrafts

All Indian Handicrafts Bazaar Opens

2009-01-12T21:04:00.004+05:30

Welcome to Sourcing Show –All India Handicrafts Bazaar, which houses the handicrafts of master craftsmen from all over the country.
From bronze items of Swamimalai to the famed dress materials with Lucknowi chikan the bazaar arrays before city dwellers an assortment of exquisite hand crafted items reflecting craftsmanship of various States. Poompuhar- Tamil Nadu Handicrafts Development Corporation has come up with this unique show with a view to encourage bulk purchases and exports of handicrafts. KS Sripathi, Chief Secretary declared open the Show on Monday at Valluvar Kottam. Stone carvings, papier mache artefacts, zari embroideries, artistic lamps, terracotta, Tanjore paintings, Tanjore Art Plates, rosewood carvings, wood inlay works and carvings, bindriware, sandal wood carvings, woollen carpets, cotton dhurries, Kalamkari paintings, bellmetal urulis, appliqué products, natural fibre products, palm leaf products, pattamadi korai mats, shell products, hand made textiles, artistic brassware and much more await customers. Eminent craftsmen including National Award winners and Shipa Gurus have come down to the city for the fair. “I am really excited to be here.

I hope people in Chennai would love our Lucknowi chikan work materials. I am looking forward for the coming days,” said Ayub Khan from Smart Chikan Art. Those in search of more unique products will find the wood products in teak at the Kerala handicrafts stall. It is not just the jewellery boxes, coir and jute mats and wooden wall hangings that catch your attention, but their special jugs.

Little Ribston WI Produce and Handicrafts Show

2009-01-05T15:28:00.001+05:30

AFTER a week of rain, the sun made a rare appearance for Little Ribston WI Produce and Handicrafts Show. Despite slightly lower flower entries than usual after the bad weather, there were plenty of participants in the other classes, particularly baking.
Among the most popular categories was the knitted jacket for a premature baby, with the 11 entrie. The Best in Show award went to M Taylor for a pencil drawing, while B Oxley took the reserve with a flower arrangement in a picture frame

HP to promote its art, handicraft in international market

2008-12-08T21:09:00.001+05:30

In a bid to promote its art and handicraft in the international market, Himanchal Pradesh Government will participate in two global trade fairs in the UK and Canada next year. Addressing a meeting of the State Handicraft and Handlooms Corporation Ltd here, Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal on Saturday said "the state has rich variety of handicrafts and handlooms which could find a good market internationally. While Birmingham fair is scheduled to be organised from February 1 to 5, the gift show at Toronto will be held from January 25-28 next year," Dhumal said.

He said that the state government would gift a Chamba handkerchief to Queen Elizabeth who is likely to inaugurate the Common Wealth games at New Delhi in 2010. The Chief Minister said exquisite handicrafts and handloom items manufactured in the state would get an exposure in the foreign markets as a brand in a big way in the proposed fairs, where orders of foreign nationals would also be booked.

Shawl wins UNESCO handicrafts award

2008-11-17T21:11:00.000+05:30

Karma Yangchen, a mother of three and owner of a handicraft shop in Bhutan, recently won the South Asia UNESCO award for excellence in handicrafts. Karma had submitted a shawl among thirteen other handicraft items of Bhutanese origin. The award recognises quality products that combine innovation in design, beauty and traditional skills. A total of 167 entries were received from countries like India, Pakistan, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal and were evaluated by an international panel of judges.
India won 27 awards, the highest number, followed by Pakistan with five, Sri Lanka three, Nepal two and Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan one each. The cotton shawl presented by Karma scored for carrying appeal, vibrant colour, beautiful motifs and good pricing, averred, the judges.
The shawl was also admired for its authenticity and quality by the jury and considered fit enough for marketability at international levels. Karma in the past has also designed uniforms for the national airline of Bhutan along with running the handicrafts store and also has learnt weaving.
Currently, she has a team of twelve weavers for whom, she now provides patterns and designs for the shawls they weave. The general consensus among the jury on Bhutanese handicraft products was that they excelled in quality, authenticity and techniques, but lacked in innovation, finishing and market appeal.

Himachal Pradesh to patent handicrafts

2008-08-01T13:57:00.000+05:30

Handicrafts and Handlooms Corporation would patent its products for their genuineness and quality to win the trust of the consumers and create goodwill in the market for the state products. This was revealed by Prof Prem Kumar Dhumal, chief minister, while presiding over the 140th meeting of the board of directors of Himachal Pradesh Handicraft and Handloom Corporation and the 129th meeting of the board of directors of the Himachal Pradesh Khadi and Village Industries Board, held at Shimla under his chairmanship today (July 30).

The CM said that handmade and handwoven products were gaining popularity with the people, who have developed taste for quality handmade products and were prepared to part with any amount of money to buy such products. He said that the corporation needed to target such customers and make their choicest products available through their retail outlets. He said that with the distinct mark of product on all woollen and other handicrafts would build credibility of the state amongst the prospective customers, who would also be saved from getting cheated for fake products being sold in the name of Himachal Pradesh products.

He said that necessary modalities needed to be chalked out to get the patent registered and for applying the same on its products. He also emphasised on the need to upgrade the marketing system and adopt modern technologies for exploring wider marketing horizons for its products. He also advised the management to study the report of the students from London over the patenting of the Kullu shawls, who were recently on visit to the state to do research on the Kullu shawl industry.

He said that Himachal Pradesh was full of many distinctions in the handicraft and handloom sector, which included handwoven woollen products and other artefacts. He said that efforts needed to be made to revive the old artefacts of the state, which were at the verge of extinction. He said that there were many craftsmen in the rural areas, who possessed the quality of producing top quality products, which needed to be identified and the young generation trained in the discipline. He said that the corporation needed to contribute significantly towards the revival of the rich handicrafts and handlooms, which had maintained its distinct identity for quality products in the market.

Okhai will showcase rural women's handicrafts

2008-07-15T15:49:00.000+05:30

Tata Chemicals Society for Rural Development unveiled first nation-wide exclusive outlet of handicrafts brand — Okhai, at a mall in Drive-In area of Ahmedabad.

The retail outlet will house handicrafts created by women from drought-prone Okhamandal region of Gujarat. Okhai is part of Tata Chemicals' corporate social responsibility initiative to generate employment in rural areas.

According to a company communiqué, currently hundreds of women from Okhamandal region were involved with the project that was set up by forming self-help groups in villages of the backward region.

According to Tata Chemicals COO Arup Basu, the first in a chain of nation-wide retail outlets, Okhai was a platform to bring the products of rural craftsmanship to urban centres.

Lebanese showcase their creativity at Beirut handicraft exhibition

2008-07-08T15:13:00.002+05:30

Visit In Exhibition Today

Dozens of booths selling handicrafts ranging from paintings and furniture to cushions and fashion accessories make up a four-day exhibition from July 2 to July 6 known as Afkart 2008, held this year in Downtown's Saifi Village. "The idea really started around 20 years ago in [the mountainous town of] Faqra, to promote the creative handicrafts of the village of Beit Chabeb," said Nayla Bassili, one of the event's major organizers.

"But handicrafts exhibitions such as Afkart, which now occur up to three times a year, actually kicked off in 2003," Bassili added.

"We have rules here. First, the makers must be Lebanese. Second, all crafts must be handmade. And more importantly, these exhibitions are made to display the works of people who do not have their own business or store," said Bassili.

"People pay the same price for the same tent. We give them electricity, publicity, chairs and tables, and guaranteed safety overnight," she added.

She also said that in recent years increased interest and creative talent was coming from Lebanon's second-largest city, Tripoli, known for its historical wealth and flourishing business prospects.

"For the past two years, we are having more and more creators coming from Tripoli," Bassili said.

One such creator is Zahia Chahal, whose booth, titled Sennara Corner, displayed home accessories such as footstools, cushions and bedspreads of vibrant colors and detailed patchwork. This is Chahal's third exhibition since she first participated in 2005.

"These exhibitions are made for designers of all fields trying to display their works," she said. "People don't come for any specific reason; people often come and don't buy anything at all. They just like to look around."

Philippine handicrafts

2008-06-24T15:43:00.000+05:30

Welcome to one of my favorite mall shops: Kultura (culture). It sells nothing but Philippine handicrafts, from hardwood furniture to home accessories, formal clothes to beachwear, jewelry to toys. Narra, bamboo, rattan, pearls, shells, coconut, piña and batik are just some of the wonderful materials that the products are made of. In this one store, you can get items crafted from all over the Philippines.

Hand Made handicrafts

2008-06-05T01:48:00.000+05:30

A statue is a sculpture portraying a specific entity, generally a person, incident, occasion, animal or object. The primary concern of a metal statue is depictive and representational. Statues are generally built to venerate any historical event. Adding serenity to beauty, wholesale statues are perfect collectible items to decorate your home or workplace to bring life into your environment. Wholesale religious statues can add elegance on to your home décor. On the other hand wholesale Buddha statues can add sophistication to your office décor and also serves as lucky charms. Statues are available in a variety of metals and can be the reproductions of anything from classical Greek statues like the Venus de Milo to mythical garden gargoyle statues. Wholesale statues of Hindu Gods and Goddesses have been a central theme of Hindu Art since the 9th century and the beginning of the Chola Empire. The wholesale brass statues of Hindu gods are seen not as being an icon to worship but as the actual Hindu gods present within the metal statues. Bringing home wholesale religious statues symbolically means inviting a living Hindu God into your home and into your life. Buddha statues serve as lucky charms in your lives. Proportion and balance are very much needed to carve a statue out of any metal because any wrong proportion would not help in bringing out the delicate beauty of the religious statues. Thus not only the creator’s imaginative power but also the concentration while pouring of the liquid metal into the mould is vital for carving a piece of delicate beauty.

Mexico Handicrats Trade Fair

2008-05-24T02:11:00.001+05:30

As Indian business honchos looked at trade opportunities in South America during President Pratibha Patil's recent visit there, the women's self-help phenomenon Self Employed Women's Association also rubbed shoulders with the power elite there.
In Sao Paulo and Mexico City, about 30 local social entrepreneurs and business members came to meet the representatives of SEWA in order to discuss how they could work together in the field of women's empowerment.
While in

Mexico

, SEWA tied up with its CII partners, the Indian-Mexico Business Chambers, to start the Mexican chapter of the self-help organisation.
An MoU is all set to be signed between the Governments of Mexico and

India

for developing a market for Indian handicrafts in

Mexico

and vice versa. Several opportunities have emerged for SEWA to be in the mainstream market," said SEWA Director Reema Nanawaty, who also represented the organisation on the South American trip.
SEWA was representing grassroots industries. This has given a major recognition to SEWA in the mainstream of business and industries," Nanawaty said.

SEWA had meetings with the First Lady of Mexico Margarita Zavala de Calderon and Rafaela Luft, Director of FONART, the Indian self-help group's Mexican counterpart. The Government of Mexico has shown active interest in a bilateral agreement with India for a partnership between FONART and SEWA to start marketing of handicrafts between the two countries.

Handicraft

2008-05-21T18:21:00.002+05:30

Tonight I listed the first of my sun catchers on Etsy. I hope it's the beginning of something wonderful!
As usual I'm dipping into multiple projects while I wait for this cold weather to pass. I can't wait for spring in order to run outside and enjoy the longer daylight hours and capture beautiful photos.
In the meantime, I'm still chugging along on my crochet project. I didn't get to work on it too much this week, but I added two rows today.

art and craft information

2008-05-11T02:01:00.000+05:30

Art and Craft convey the inner feeling of not only the artist but also the society as a whole. Art pieces are the testimony of the changing time, ideas, thoughts, science, technology and overall culture of the land concern. Painting, jewelry, stone carving, temple making, idol making, wood sculpture crafts, metal statue making, textile craft making and many more forms of art and craft have found their origin in India since genesis of Indus Valley civilization. It's a cultural heritage expanded to ages. In this modern age Skillful artists are diligently crafting numerous pieces of art enabling all of us to possess the impeccably done craftwork. These days art is reflected in innumerable accessories expanding from handbags, wall hangings, other home décor accessories, woodcraft, paintings, bed spread and other textile related crafts, jewelry, picture frames, statues, toys and dolls, gemstone work to many more other fields. These laboriously made specimens can be utilized for many purposes like for gifting, decorating, exhibitions and several other ones. This section helps you to develop an insight of art and craft containing minute details.

Hand Made Handicrafts

2008-05-07T19:14:00.000+05:30

JK Fagtongpun, a wonderful designer from Bristol, England has graciously sent our boutique the most colorful and spring-perfect cuffs, chokers, and belts that will surely complement any outfit. From gingham to floral, these pieces are definite must-haves.

Cloth Handicrafts

2008-04-25T01:12:00.001+05:30

More about the Street you read on the website of Wualai community. Then you find here a shop with crafts of hilltribe people Bann Wualai. Or you decide for a Kantoke Dinner with a hilltribe show at Old Chiangmai Cultural Center.
Find your way: Near the Gate at the south side of the old city. You leave by Phra Pok Klao Road, outside the wall you turn right, walk on Chiang Lo Road, from where Wualai Road will point to Southwest.
Open: Walking Street every Satuarday from around 5 pm till 11 pm.

Ratchadamnoen Walking Street: Full of excitement, thanks to the large crowd of people enjoying the night in the heart of the old city, shopping, drinking, eating, listening to musicians, looking at art and craftsmanships of Northern Thailand, Thai dancers or puppet shows. Many stallowners sell personally made goods from wood to metals, ceramics, fabrics, paper and more. In a number of temples along the road the stallowners sell meals cooked in front of your eyes.
Find your way: From Tha Pae Gate follow Ratchdamnoen Road.
Open: Every Sunday from 5 pm till midnight.

dark fashion craft

2008-04-17T00:07:00.000+05:30

"And I finally see the light". Remember that song by Gloria Estefan circa 1992. I use to love it. I actually still do. lol.

I am new to blogging world. I've been lurking around checking out other blogs and loving many of the things I seen. So many talented people. I've been thinking about doing this for awhile now or let say over thinking. I over think things a lot which has its good and bad points. The good. When I finally do get around to whatever it is I've been think about it runs smoothly because I've thought through all the angles. The bad. It makes me a procrastinator and when I procrastinate about something usually that means it is not going to happen.

A little about myself. I am 31. I live in NYC. I love to sew and bake and I am teaching myself how to knit. I have somewhat of a short attention span but this sewing thing is something I 've stuck with for the last two year through the good (the wearable garments I've made) :) and the bad (a lot of the wadders I've thrown away). :(

But now for the good part. The part I look forward to when I surf the all the blogs in my favorite. Finished Garments!!!!!!

Handicrafts Serverl Market

2008-04-11T17:25:00.000+05:30

In several places in the city we can find handicraft manufacturing, with a variety of products which identify all the regions of the country and specially Cochabamba. You can find a variety of wool and cotton textiles: from sheep, llama and alpaca. Other than musical instruments typical of our land and beautiful works in ceramics and leather. Another traditional handicraft production, which is kept up to our days. This delicate work is done on silver and other expensive metals specially on gold and tin. The main handicraft markets are: the SAN ANTONIO MARKET on Esteban Arze and Punata Streets, and the "JOAQUIN ZENTENO ANAYA” alley between Baptista and Ayacucho streets (in the downtown area).

Sandle Handicrafts

2008-04-06T19:45:00.001+05:30

Mayorista y fabricante y exportador de mano de artesanía de artesanías de Bali Indonesia desde 1999. Encontrará aquí los productos elaborados en Indonesia.
Bolsos de mano a mano, natural de bolsas, bolsas de cuero, bolsas de ratán, el bambú y bolsas de coco, el algodón bordados, bolsas de cuero, Billeteras, pie desgaste, la playa de zapatos y sandalias, ropa de playa, zapatos beaded, sarong pareo rayón, sarong mano de pintura, la moda los accesorios de joyería , Plata esterlina 925, colgante de plata, collares, brazaletes, pendientes, anillos, el cinturón, las compras en línea de Bali, compras en Bali, Bali tienda de kuta, por mayor precio, mejor calidad de los productos de exportación, Bali proveedor artesanía

Handicrafts Gold Jewelry

2008-04-04T18:05:00.002+05:30

Hand Made Jewelry
By now you've begun to think about the holidays, the food, gifts, family and of course the decorations...but do you have your seasonal wardrobe and accessories to make YOU sparkle this holiday season? This sounds like a small issue, but if you are interested in exploring some seasonal jewelry options for this holiday season, you've found the right handmade jewelry shopping blog. In this article we'll show you some of the seasonal jewelry at Kincaidesigns Handmade Jewelry. Some of the jewelry is specifically for the Christmas season, while other jewelry you can actually wear year round Kincaidesigns Handmade Jewelry Photo: Handmade Red, White and Gold Holiday
Necklace with handcrafted glass beads, Swarovski Crystals, gold fill and Gold Leaf Pendant.

Bloggyphobia With Girls

2008-04-02T23:00:00.000+05:30

I have created a monster. I started blogging about personal stuff. Something my kids could involve themselves in and find some level of engagement with me long after I'm gone. I wanted them to say "Oh that's so typical of mum . . " or "I didn't know that about her . ." but once you create a public blog and comments flow, the nature of the beast changes considerably. I can't write personal things which is what I want to do, so I've now established a private blog, just for those really close to me so they know how I tick. My Opus Dei however so pathetic.
Needless to say, I haven't actually written an entry on it yet but I will. The other conundrum is the balance between the trivial, the interesting, the politica, the social - humerous vs seriousl . . .I've actually really annoyed some people by stating my political leanings although I don't consider myself a political animal. The only post I ever removed was one about DrummerBoy to which he took offense and now I'm struggling to make things even mildly interesting.
This is not an unusual phenomenon. Gaye has gone AWOL although I know why, Vanilla is absorbed and quite rightly so in writing and focusing on being published. Daz has left the blogosphere for ever. Wordnerd rarely posts, Is that All There Is has lost the plot and Kahler is just plain lazy. Then Grandad manages to post every day. I am depressed but angsty about Steph's blog as she is a lone voice but so erudite and strong that I'm drawn to her analysis. Jefferson, I have the pleasure of talking to offline and adore his photography. Bird Anonymous has managed to escape the difficulty with an amazing photo blog. Red Mojo is just fascinating because I have never met anyone like her and ThriftCriminal is a delight. I love K8, no really, we're chalk and cheese, Laurel and Hardy but I will never visit Ireland without plonking on her mad family with armfuls of silly TShirts and stuffed koalas. Benchwarmer has other priorities these days but I see him occasionally. Moo Dog is a relative newbie, fresh and funny and Quickroute . . hey, he's my South American connection. Ryan is sweet but really not a man of the blogosphere. Ian is my total inspiration and just one of the many I would dearly like to meet - the athiest and the vicar . . .imagine that. Nonny is hilarious but rarely present and the others are polite readers and rare commenters. But to you all, you have brought a diversity into my life that has been really, seriously, interesting and wonderful. *has a little wipe with a tissue*. There are are many others but they either don't comment or have no idea of the impact their blogs make on me.

I'm at sixes and sevens tonight. I'm not sure what direction to take this in. I want a 'piece of me' to be extended to all of you which sounds completely hedonistic but it wasn't my intention to entertain a crowd although I love your comments and really enjoy the diversity and feel priviledged to have been in personal contact with most of you. Many of you I have come to know privately and I feel very blessed by that. But tonight as I struggle with blogophobia, TV looks more appealing . . that book that I've barely touched on my bedside table seems more attractive. Although I just can't draw myself away. Addiction . .almost but if I have nothing worthy to say . . what's the point?

I guess a blog by it's pure nature is short and sharp. I want a l-o-n-g dinner-time conversation about libertarianism in the wider context, religion life the universe and everything, life without partners, health problems, the trials of being published, dogs and grandchildren, memories of the past and your struggles, the difficulty of expressing love, life in your part of the world, Tibet and the Olympic games, Zimbabwe elections, wine and chocolate, why you're a vegetarian yet wear leather shoes, how you managed to capture that shot . . . blogging is great and it has filled a space in many a lonely night but . . . now I find I want to expand on my theories, argue my points but feel self censored. So what better place than my dinner table to fight it out, with a starter of GrannyMar's soup, an Absolute Vanilla chocolate dessert and . . . .well again, I have nothing yet feel compelled to write something. You're all welcome for dinner at chez Fairway any time! (But hurry . . this offer is limited! the bulldozers will be moving in next year)

No I'm not giving up, it's writer's block. I'll get over it. I actually rather like that I have this clandestine life that half my family and friends don't even know about. I am under no delusion that if I disappeared tomorrow life would go on without a problem but thank you my virtual friends . .whenever I'm down . . .

Now, I'm off to watch a documentary on Execution in the US . . .post forthcoming!

Tide Up Brown paper Striip

2008-04-02T22:57:00.000+05:30

I love presents. Not big flashy ones but little meaningful ones so when a big box arrived from Lima today I was over the moon. Each present wrapped in brown paper and tied with string with a little note from ClareBear explaining their significance and where they were purchased. There was something for Bec and co (I suspect Brasilian footy shirts) a pair of baggy Bolivian stripey pants that only DrummerBoy would have the audacity to wear . . they were quickly souvenired this afternoon and transported to yet another house-sitting assignment . . and a few little lovelies for madre:

Beautiful tapestry from the Pantenal. Small enough for my coffee table
And in the right colours to boot!

AHI Felt Hand Made

2008-03-31T11:45:00.000+05:30

As I sat down to write this post I recognize that I am a "tad bit" biased considering I sell TABI Hats creations there. Nevertheless, one of my new favorite sites...Etsy allows fellow members to create lists of 12 of their favorite finds created by fellow Etsians. This list is called a "treasury". While browsing the treasuries this morning, I came across "AHA I Felt". A treasury chock full of absolutely amazing handmade felted products.

My favorite is pictured above.

Wooden Atlantis Antique

2008-03-28T20:38:00.001+05:30

Atlantis Antique which is establish in Jepara since 1989, runs in manufactures and exports high quality mahogany, teak and pine both indoor furniture and garden furniture.Their foreign trade have been widely distributed to many countries in the world ; Italy, Greece, France, England, Australia, South Africa, USA, Spain, Ireland, Germany and Malaysia.Atlantis Antique have full confidence of your exclusive furniture orders with selected woods and many exclusive design or your own design.Contact Information:Office / Factory :Jl. Raguklampitan Km. 1,7 PulodaratPecangaan Jepara 59462 IndonesiaTel. +62 291 754560Fax. +62 291 754553Attn. Mr. Eko Priyadi – Export ManagerEmail :Sales Information at sales@atlantisantique.comGeneral Information at info@atlantisantique.comComment and Suggestion at webmaster@atlantisantique.comWebsite

About Unicorn

2008-03-26T18:35:00.000+05:30

I love my unicorn so much! I watched the movie called The Last Unicorn, and I wanted my own white unicorn. And I had a white horse, so I decided to make that to a white unicorn. And I like my white unicorn so much that I can't believe it's magical in the world of white trees and white flowers. [Marian liked this picture with the flash because it is glowing "magical".]
I wanted curly hair so I used some silk, real silk that's so soft. I got it from Sara and Jeff when we were visiting them [at a great Asheville craft supply] and it's the magical unicorn.

woodne craft

2008-03-24T12:35:00.000+05:30

My students thought the outside toilet was a great idea for men so we had to make some more boxes and this time we made it to our design. With the other box when you picked it up the tissue box fell out so Bob made a different style. This one has a bottom in it and the front of the box is hinged so that you can open the Toilet Door to put new tissues in. There is a clasp on the side to hold the door shut. You cant see it in the picture but I have two spiders, a butterfly and a green looper caterpillar (above the toilet door for the caterpillar) painted on the box. I also painted a tap and a house (when we moved into our house in Blacktown 46 years ago we didnt have the sewer on and we had one of these outhouses and ours had the tap and the hose on the side and we had a garbage bin around the back so I have also painted the garbage bin. We didnt have a rose but we did have a passionfruit vine growing on the outside. Oh also we had a mouse that used to come in so I have painted a little hole at the back and there is a mouse sticking his head out of the holle.

Hand Made Cap

2008-03-22T20:00:00.000+05:30

After making the birdhouse out of salvaged cuckoo clocks, I felt like a chameleon crafter when making this ribbon ruffled lampshade.
The owner of Ozarks Americana ordered ruffles on lampshades. She requested that I don't hold back on the decorative and frou-frou element. So here is the first one using French wired ribbons and pearls. Think I succeeded?
Do I like making all styles of home decor pieces from Victorian, primitive, arts & crafts, art nouveau, contemporary, Paris apartment, retro or "shabby chic"? You bet! I love it. Never get bored and I get to use all of the supplies that I have collected. On to the next one.

featuring wood inlaid with silver

2008-03-20T23:47:00.002+05:30

On May 16, I wrote about Justin Duances wooden jewellery. I sang the praises of his stylish creations featuring wood inlaid with silver and vice versa. Well, I was so impressed with the images on his website, I decided to put my money where my reviewer's mouth is and buy a piece!

As fortune would have it, it was my wife's birthday yesterday. Usually, I hit the High Street jewellers and buy something exorbitantly expensive with diamonds. Like most blokes I guess I assume that spending loads is best. My logic being that, even if she doesn't like it, at least she can swoon over the swanky price tag. Not that I would ever tell her what it cost. Which, in turn, means you have to buy something that looks every bit as expensive as it is, with only a sideways nod to good taste! So this year I thought better. I suspected I was getting a little predictable. And, anyway, she might actually have better things to do with that sort of money. So I decided to stick my neck out and buy something I really liked, regardless of the less impressive price tag. I plumped for the 'Small oak pebble pendant inlaid with two lines of silver on a silver snake chain' - see picture. And, have to say was in no way disappointed. This pendant looks even better in the flesh and it arrived very promptly too. My admiration for Justin's work has only increased!

hand Mad Print

2008-03-19T22:33:00.000+05:30

Spring is almost here! Flowers are starting to bloom and birds are starting to sing. This gocco print was a spontaneous print inspired by a sticky note doodle I sketched a few weeks ago.

Beaded Items

2008-03-19T01:07:00.000+05:30

Make the First Turn in the Netting
Now add another three matte copper size 11/0 seed beads, a 5mm square bead and then three more size 11/0 matte copper seed beads. Next, pass your needle through the second size 5mm square bead on the previous row. This will create the first join in your netting. Your row will have two of the 5mm square beads sitting side by side. Continue netting by passing the needle through every other 5mm square bead until you reach the end of the row.
Begin the Third Row of Beaded Netting

Now you will be making the turn for the third row of beaded netting. After your needle exits the final 5mm cube bead for Row Two, add 3 size 11/0 matte copper seed beads, a size 9 matte gold seed bead and another 3 size 11/0 matte copper seed beads. Pass the needle back through the last 5mm cube bead you added. This will create a small loop of beads above the cube bead.

Beaded Bracelet in netting

2008-03-19T01:04:00.001+05:30

Cool Cubes Flat Netting Beaded Bracelet

What You'll Need to Make Your Own Cool Cubes Flat Netting Beaded Bracelet
Cool Cubes Flat Netting Beaded Bracelet
Cool Cubes Beaded Bracelet
Paula S. Morgan

Here's what you'll need to make your own Cool Cubes Beaded Bracelet:
* Approximately 60 5mm X 5mm Cube Beads.
* Approximately 350 Matte Dark Copper round seed beads [/link]
* 10 Size 8/0 Matte Gold seed beads
* Two 10 mm pieces of French Wire
* One 10 mm Toggle Clasp
* Size 12 Beading Needle
* Nymo "D" or other beading thread
* Beeswax or Thread Conditioner (optional)
Make your Base Row of Flat Netting

60th Anniversary 50 years of Sri Lanka-China(Lankan and Chinese models)

2008-03-17T11:39:00.001+05:30

Products: A selected number of local products were showcased during the event organised by the Sri Lanka Embassy in Beijing to celebrate the of 60th Anniversary Independence and 50 years of Sri Lanka-China diplomatic relations at the Grand Foyer in China World Hotel recently. Lankan and Chinese models at the event wearing Lankan costumes.

A selected number of products such as different varieties of tea, Sri Lankan beverages, spices, handicrafts, spa and cosmetic products as well as a range of jewellery made out of gems, coloured stones of Sri Lanka and diamonds, were showcased during the event organised by the Sri Lanka Embassy in Beijing to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of Independence and 50 years of Sri Lanka-China Diplomatic Relations at the Grand Foyer of China World Hotel on March 3.

The Sri Lanka Tea Board, along with different tea brands available in the Chinese market and gifts tea attracted many visitors to taste “Pure Ceylon Tea” as well as different flavoured tea with Sri Lankan sweetmeats distributed at the The Kade.

The Chinese invitees were given an opportunity to taste Sri Lankan natural food products showcased by some of the leading Sri Lankan exporters.

Natural fruit products such as woodapple, pineapple which are not available in the Chinese Market attracted many visitors. Nature’s Secrets and Siddhalepa represented a variety of herbal and spa products as well as cosmetics. Laksala provided a range of colourful local handicrafts and Mars represented Sri Lankan spices.

The array of gems and jewellery displayed by the Blue Diamond Co Ltd and Stone & Strings along with Lordspeck International, a Chinese jewellery company specialized in Sri Lankan jewellery, most attracted the crowds.

Bamboo handicrafts

2008-03-16T00:18:00.000+05:30

Researchers from the Mariano Marcos State University in Ilocos Norte developed a simple process that converts the bamboo pole into materials that can be readily used for furniture and handicrafts. Engineered Kawayan, or E-kawayan, is an advanced form of bamboo products put together to form a whole new different product—Kawayan tiles.

The bamboo, known locally as kawayan, grows just about anywhere across the country. Its use can range from making houses, fences, bridges, walking sticks, furniture, chopsticks, food steamers, toys, construction scaffolding, hats, abaci and various musical instruments. Flooring made of bamboo has become popular throughout the years. Its culms may also be cut and made into vases or tubes, or pipes to transport water or as containers.

Culms, also called the stems, can range in height from a few cm to 40 m, with stem diameters ranging from 1 mm to 30 cm. The stems are joined together by a node. Each node bears one leaf, and may also have one to several side branches.

Dr. Stanley C. Malab and Jose A. Zafaralla of MMSU developed both the process and the machineries for the development of kawayan tiles – the basic material for manufacturing engineered kawayan products.

Tiles production starts with choosing the finest bamboo trees. The culms are harvested and cut to lengths maximizing the straight portions. The researchers noted that irregularly shaped parts of the pole are cut into not less than 18 inches.

The poles are then split manually with an approximate width of 33mm. The split parts are treated with wood preservatives, boiled, and dried in a bamboo dryer – also developed in MMSU – and are left to dry for 4 days. This process improves the slats’ resistance to borer.

MMSU also developed the Kawayan Tile Machine, for the shaping of slats into desired width and thickness. Flooring made of bamboo pieces are steamed, flattened, glued together, finished, and cut. The bamboo slats, after they are treated and dried, are jointed together in the machine to minimize gaps after gluing them together.

The laminated slats are sorted to minimize apparent color differences. The laminates are cold-pressed at 150 kg/m2 vertical and 5 kg/m2 side pressures. This is done for three hours. For making planks, the slats are applied with white glue commonly found in local hardwares. The semi-finished products are smoothened through a sanding machine.

The researchers noted that the process and machines they developed were able to maximize the utilization of bamboo even its most unwanted part.

************************************************************************************

AGRI-INFO/MAY 9, 2006

TITLE: BAMBOO TILES MADE EASY

NARINIG NA BA NINYO ANG TUNGKOL SA BAMBO TILES?

ITO AY NAISAKATUPARAN NG MGA EKSPERTO MULA SA MARIANO MARCOS STATE UNIVERSITY SA ILOCOS NORTE SA PAMAMAGITAN NG SIMPLENG PROSESO NA MA-CONVERT ANG MGA PUNO NG KAWAYAN BILANG MATERYALES PARA SA PAGGAWA NG MUWEBLES AT HANDICRAFTS.

ANG ENGINEERED KAWAYAN O TINATAWAG DING E-KAWAYAN AY MAITUTURING NA ADVANCED FORM NG BAMBOO PRODUCTS NA SADYANG BINUO PARA MAKABUO NG BAGONG PRODUKTO NA KILALA NA NGAYON SA PANGALANG KAWAYAN O BAMBO TILES.

ALAM NAMANA NATIN NA ANG KAWAYAN AY TALAGANG POPULAR SA IBAT-IBANG GAMIT NITO TULAD NG PAGPAPATAYO NG BAHAY, BAKOD, TULAY, TUNGKOD, MUWEBLES, CHOPSTICKS, FOOD STEAMERS, LARUAN, CONSTRUCTION SCAFFOLDING, SUMBRERO, AT MGA INSTRUMENTONG MUSIKAL.

BUKOD PA DYAN, SA LALAWIGAN AY GINAGAMIT DIN ITONG PANSAHIG SA BAHAY MAGING SA KAMA O TULUGAN, GINAGAMIT DIN ITO BILANG FLOWER VASE, O DALUYAN NG TUBIG O SISIDLAN NITO MAGING NG TUBA.

PINANGUNAHAN NINA DR. STANLEY MALAB AT JOSE ZAFARALLA NG MMSU ANG PANANALIKSIK PARA MAISAKATUPARAN ANG BAMBOO TILES.

csino magic plain

2008-03-15T02:22:00.003+05:30

Bumpkin reports a the upcoming BIA meeeting and the consistent pro-casino strategy of giving people little time to review large complex documents before the rare and minimal chances to give public comment.

Casino plan draws interest from mogul
The Globe that reports that Steve Wynn has joined the feeding frenzy of Massachusetts casinos: Casino plan draws interest from mogul Las Vegas casino executive Steve Wynn has expressed interest for the first time in a possible casino deal in response to Governor Deval Patrick's proposal to legalize gambling in Massachusetts, joining a list of other suitors talking to the owners of Wonderland Park in Revere.

At this point this is looking less and less like informed debate, and more an more like a pack of hyenas ripping apart a baby gazelle.

Read more a Bellicose Bumpkin blog

Matel Craft

2008-03-14T11:40:00.003+05:30

I just found "Lockwasher" on Flickr who does a great job of building real characters out of discarded or found objects. There are plenty more noteworthy images in his photo stream and he also has a web site too.

I don't know if it's a hobby thing or if he does it for a living, I'd like to think the latter.

Cotton Toy Hand made Craft

2008-03-14T11:33:00.002+05:30

So I was recently informed that comments weren't able to be made on this little Cotton Monster News blog for some time...appologies if you were attempting to comment on things. But now comments seem to be A-o-kay. So...comment away.
I've been working my little fingers to the bone trying to keep the Cotton Monster stock growing since January's five minute sell out...and to prove it, here is a picture of monsters in progress in my studio! February seems to be almost over, even though it just started. Again, I'll be doing my darndest to update before the end of the month. Check back here for more info to come...

Art Craft

2008-03-14T11:26:00.000+05:30

As of right now, monstering is not my full time job...So what, you may ask, do I do when I am not chained to my sewing machine or laying in bed stuffing eyeballs? I work at Black Cherry Puppet Theater here in Baltimore,teaching residencies in schools and in after-school programs, assisting kids in building thier own puppet shows. Here's a picture of the set I just put together this afternoon.

My friend and I cut out all the cardboard pieces, and over two class sessions the third-graders painted them, and then we glued/screwed them all together to make this massive puppet stage. Next to fabric, cardboard is my second favorite material to work with! You can make anything with it!

And now I'm back home tonight, working on this machine and feverishly taking photos to update the online shop (I'll let you know when..)

Chinese Kite

2008-03-14T11:22:00.000+05:30

Sports: Chinese box kite Chinese Kite Plan : Online guide to fly a kite, stunt kite tricks, sport kite tips and advanced stunt kite flying ... INVENTED IT? WHEN? CHINESE INVENTIONS An Introductory Activity ... is that the Chinese traditionally lack scientific and ... a special kite) were famous in Chinese traditional stories ... Thus, if you or anyone you know is a kite enthusiast, it can be eas

Delta Kite

2008-03-14T11:20:00.000+05:30

About spins and other more advanced tricks: When doing a spin, pull one control line or the other (depending on whether you want the kite to turn left or right) and keep pulling until the kite has completed the spin. Delta Kite - search results ... Delta Kite. Aliens X Delta Kite. The Aliens X_ Delta Kite is an original easy-to-fly keel guided kite with a bold colorful design ... The Premier Kite

jute bags

2008-03-13T22:07:00.001+05:30

Jute Bags @ handiarts
We delight in making a wide range of bags from jute. See our range of jute shopping bags, jute promotional bags, jute wine bags and jute portfolios. If you are looking to make strongly individualistic statement you may wish to discuss the special fabrics we have developed for our value added customers.These are used for shopping and domestic use and are available in different colours and shapes

jute Handicrafts

2008-03-13T22:05:00.000+05:30

Jute Fashion Accessories @handiarts
We manufacture vast range of products including traditional jewellery, shoes and clothing etc. These products are specially crafted using superior quality materials and provided a fine finish by skilled craftsmen.

Grand Turkey

2008-03-13T21:59:00.000+05:30

Well, we finally selected the tour company for our visit to Turkey in May of 2008. Pacha Tours Grand Turkey Tour, and a separate 4-day sailing adventure on the Mediterranean coast, is the itinerary we chose. We expect to be gone from May 2nd to June 2nd. We won't be going to the Paris Open Tennis Tournament (maybe next year, when we visit France for a month). We'll probably also be letting those on Seniors Home exchange know that the house will be available for exchange arrangements.We're also becoming serious about purchasing a Chalet recreational vehicle (pop-up sides and top, check it out at Chalet 1930, and a hybrid crossover-type car with the capacity to tow it. Toyota, Honda, Saturn, and Volvo all have them. We'd like to take some more 3-15 day trips around the western U.S. and Mexico, and we've passed through the time when our Volkswagon Vanagon was comfortable for us. An indoor toilet and shower has become something we'd like to have on the road. Kayaks, Bikes, surfboard, and golf clubs will be included.

Marble much more

2008-03-13T21:50:00.001+05:30

Last evening, I was browsing through Lokhandwala market with a friend. I was in the mood to eat something -and frankly, when am I not? At one place, a small eatery near a Natural ice-cream outlet seemed to be a magnet for a hungry crowd. All of them were adult shoppers. It was a dabheli store, and the cook was a magician with a knife and a spoon. He was slicing up paavs and smearing spoons of mashed masala and toasting them in butter with such seamless precision and speed that his hands were a blur. If you watched them in action long enough, you’d just keep gazing in some sort of stupor.Meanwhile a lady with a little girl happened to approach us from a distance. The lady stopped in front of the stall and looked longingly at the zsizzling on the tava. Her daughter, meanwhile, had rushed inside the Naturals ice cream parlour.

My friend remarked how street food, like dabhelis or vada pavs, was now in the province of the older generation. Kids don’t take this stuff at all. She mentioned that it’s a matter of time before something like this becomes extinct. After all, nowadays, if something doesn’t cater to the young, it may as well be gone.I had never thought of street food from a demographic angle, but it’s definitely something to think about.

Balck Gold Fastival

2008-03-09T23:52:00.000+05:30

The Black Gold Festival kicks off in Hazard, KY today. It’s Kentucky’s second largest festival (the Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon/miniMarathon is the largest). Festival goers can see the Black Gold Bike Show, the Road Hazards Extreme Team Stunt Show, the Black Diamond Street Rod Show, Antique Appraisals, the Ugliest Lamp Contest, a parade, and an assortment of food vendors and arts & crafts.This festival traces its roots to the Hazard Coal Carnival, which began in 1937. The Perry County beauties pictured here competed in the Miss Coal Carnival pageant, one of the highlights of that first carnival.

(Left to right) Miss Chavies - Rita Duff; Miss Blue Diamond - Lorene Yother; Miss Harveyton - Pauline Begley; & Miss Busy; Rebecca Morgan. Rita Duff won the title of Miss Hazard Coal Carnival – 1937. The photo was taken by Frances Calitri Easterling at Sandy Beach, on the North Fork of the Kentucky River near Viper, Kentucky.Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys played a free concert at the 1962 Coal Carnival, on the courthouse steps.

Pieles de Alpaca, Juguetería en general en Piel de Alpaca, Chompas

2008-03-09T23:50:00.000+05:30

ROMANI HANDICRAFTS les ofrece los más finos artículos de la Artesanía Peruana, elaborados por los mejores artesanos de nuestro país. Aqui encontrara diferentes productos como: Pieles de Alpaca, Juguetería en general en Piel de Alpaca, Chompas, Ponchos, Polos, Chalinas, Chullos, etc., para Damas, Caballeros y Niños; además de Cerámica Decorativa utilitaria para Regalos.

Venga, visítenos y llévese una parte del Perú a su hogar.

Galeria "Plaza del Folklore" Av. La Marina 774Tda. 19 Pueblo Libre
Tel: 9869-1285
romanihandicrafts@yahoo.es

ROMANI HANDICRAFTS offer you the finest Peruvian handicrafts made by the most famous and recognized artisans of our country. Here your are going to find different products like: alpaca rugs, amaizing toys made with the baby alpaca skin, sweaters, ponchos, scarfs, chullos, etc. for women, men and kids also you can get some useful ceramic for presents or just for decorated your home.

Come, visit us and take a part of Peru to your home.

Form Handicrafts Make Beautyfull Your Home

2008-03-09T23:42:00.001+05:30

Handicraft is the term given to an artifact made by using conventional methods and tools. It is characterized by minimum or no use of machines. Early civilizations witnessed the making of handicrafts for various purposes. A particular section of the people began making handicrafts for royalty or the influential people of the period, for trade and commerce and for the general public. Indus Valley Civilization in India observed the mass production of pottery and beads for the purposes mentioned above. The invention of the metallurgical techniques led to a great development in the production of metal handicrafts. Copper was the first metal to be discovered and numerous artifacts were made in copper and bronze. Similarly gold and silver and finally iron proved to be decisive in the metallurgical advancements.Handicrafts could be made in several other mediums too. Stone crafts, glass crafts, wood crafts, paper crafts, and textiles are just a few examples. There are innumerable handicrafts that are made by mixing more than one medium too. In the beginning, handicrafts were made for the utility purposes. But once the utility purpose was successfully served, the handicrafts were made for decorative purposes. Several handicrafts now decorate the favorite places of the people like homes, offices, gardens, halls and others.Textile and jewelry are the crafts that are an integral part of the lives of everyone. These crafts are now in highly advanced age and their trade is over multi-billion dollars.Handicrafts are nowadays an important commodity for trade and commerce. The trade volume is consistently growing. In a country, like India, where there is a big portion of population involved in making handicrafts, this factor will bring a good change. Countries like Thailand, China, Mexico, India, Indonesia and Bangladesh are powerhouses of handicrafts. The economies of these countries are getting a fillip after the commercialization of handicrafts on large scale

For Woman

2008-03-07T02:56:00.001+05:30

I admitt im an avid shopper , and that i probably spend too much money . I also know that I can justify any purchase - even the most ridiculous but there is one thing that im stocking up on right now which is honestly a great buy.The humble necklace has never before been such a fashion staple , and gone are the days of only diamonds and sterling silver with a range of funky jewels know availiable in everything from 24 kt gold and turqouise to inexpensive beads and wool. Originally i was looking for something different to wear with my plain black long sleeve and baby tees . Ideally something with a little colour , and texture that could elevate my plain basics to after dinner drink wear and that could also be worn with my little black dress. I came across the pictured cloisonnAc enamel decorated pendant above at Urban Outfitters . Hanging from a gold toned chain is a large circular enamel pendant painted with pretty butterfly and flowers in bright color with gold highlights . Baubles and beads hang either side and the whole necklace and pendant has an almost asian feel which leaves the rather large jewel feeling dainty and intricate as well as bold . A great buy at $48.00 (USD) that can be worn layerd with coloured beads for a more casual look.

information about Cups

2008-03-07T02:48:00.001+05:30

My first cup (pictured) was literaly overflowing, with a coaster to catch the extra Sake. Happiness!Seated at the Yakitori (grilled meat on skewers) bar, I found that I couldn't resist ordering just a few items off the menu. Which eventually turned into me trying MANY items off the menu. My favorites--Chicken Skin on a skewer (I know, sounds gross, but oh gosh, so good) and cheese wrapped in bacon on a skewer (this was so delicious, I was moved to try to write Haiku about it. Of course at this point I was also well into my second cup of Sake, and had entered a state of extreme happiness). I'll post the poetry later, maybe.With 400 yen left to my name, a complete understanding of the Kyoto rail system, and a courage built from two cups of Sake, I made it back to Downtown with no further mishaps. The Sake cheer lasted about as long as it took me to fling myself into bed (at 8:30 pm) and it was lights out, almost immediately.I slept so well, I only woke up one time, giving me another opportunity to take advantage of the strangely comforting heated toilet seats the hotel provides.

A Beautyfull Nackless

2008-03-05T16:35:00.001+05:30

Sometimes i wake up in the morning and i just feel dull , lifeless and bored. Nothing in my wardrobe excites me , and everything seems so one dimensional and plain. When i get like this i always reach for my jewelery box because i am one of those people that loves bold , bright and beautifull jewels.Weather it be a necklace , bracelet , anklet or ring - jewelery which features exotic beads , handcrafted accents or simply exudes as special 'something ' not only allows you to display a sense of indivudual style but also perks up even the most sad and tired outfit. Some of the best bold beautiful jewelery i have found are made by the stylish duo Vivian Wang and Ingrid Chen of Viv and Ingrid.The pictured silver I Luv Turquoise Charm Necklace is a 16" silver charm necklace with a stunning large turquoise heart as well as mother of pearl, wood, and turquoise beads - goldstone & silver paillettes . As well as being gorgeous the necklace is also very versatile as its able to be transformed into a 7" bracelet & 9" chain anklet.

Gold Ring For Girls

2008-03-03T13:35:00.000+05:30

Rather like a magpie I have a love for shiny sparkly things , but when searching for jewelry I always want something a little different and outside the norm. Imagine my delight when I stumbled across the beautiful and imaginative work of Alex Sepkus. Looking through the catalogue I saw elements of Klimt as well as little ethnic and tribal influences.
The Alex Sepkus range of jewelry contains Necklaces , Bracelets , Earrings , Rings , Pendants , pins and a range of mens and bridal wear. My delight are the rings , which with there quirky charm would make fantastic statement pieces or stunning everyday wear.

How To Change You Heair Color

2008-03-03T13:31:00.000+05:30

I know what your thinking ‘ What is that ?’ .Well its an ingenious device made by Conair called the Pro Colour Accents which allows you to easily and temporarily change your hair colour.
The battery operated tool transfers washable temporary colour onto the hair strands from reusable and removable colour cartridges . The cartridges available in 11 different colours are non toxic and non staining and each cartridge features Individual push-in lids to re-seal and prevent color cartridges from drying out between uses.

Food Bowls

2008-02-28T13:37:00.001+05:30

I was an odd kid , whilst other children screwed up their noses at vegetable i piled more brussel sprouts onto my plate .
My love of produce does not stop at the eating - i love the look of fruits and vegetables which i will often use instead of flower arrangements in my home but these beautiful parchment bowls are really something else.The pictured delicate bowls are created from slices of fruits and veggies , Designer Margaret Dorfman presses the materials until they are dehydrated, then handicrafts the one-of-a-kind bowl from overlapping strips of parchment.Currently out of stock from uncommon goods but i had to post them because they are so beautiful items to make ur home beauiy.

How To make Beautiyfull Drawing Room To Using Handicrafts items

2008-02-28T13:22:00.002+05:30

Handicraft is the term given to an artifact made by using conventional methods and tools. It is characterized by minimum or no use of machines. Early civilizations witnessed the making of handicrafts for various purposes. A particular section of the people began making handicrafts for royalty or the influential people of the period, for trade and commerce and for the general public. Indus Valley Civilization in India observed the mass production of pottery and beads for the purposes mentioned above. The invention of the metallurgical techniques led to a great development in the production of metal handicrafts. Copper was the first metal to be discovered and numerous artifacts were made in copper and bronze. Similarly gold and silver and finally iron proved to be decisive in the metallurgical advancements.Handicrafts could be made in several other mediums too. Stone crafts, glass crafts, wood crafts, paper crafts, and textiles are just a few examples.
There are innumerable handicrafts that are made by mixing more than one medium too. In the beginning, handicrafts were made for the utility purposes. But once the utility purpose was successfully served, the handicrafts were made for decorative purposes. Several handicrafts now decorate the favorite places of the people like homes, offices, gardens, halls and others.Textile and jewelry are the crafts that are an integral part of the lives of everyone. These crafts are now in highly advanced age and their trade is over multi-billion dollars.
Handicrafts are nowadays an important commodity for trade and commerce. The trade volume is consistently growing. In a country, like India, where there is a big portion of population involved in making handicrafts, this factor will bring a good change. Countries like Thailand, China, Mexico, India, Indonesia and Bangladesh are powerhouses of handicrafts.
For More Information Visit-http://www.indiahandicraftstore.com

So lilly

2008-02-25T20:06:00.001+05:30

I live in dresses . I'm of the opinion there is no other garment that can beat a dress for comfort and style . It kind of annoys me that in this country many see them as only suitable for formal attire , when they are really wardrobe perfection !But , I am seeing is a whole new lot of dress converts as late . Designers are using dresses more and more in their collections and in a true sign of a fashion shift , nearly every women's store has at least 5 dress styles now – we have come a long way baby . I thank the rise of well cut garments paired with * wince * celeb fashion for the beginning of a sea change . After all how many girls did you see in chucks and a line sun dresses before Lilly Allen hit the charts ? In fact her name popped to mind when viewing the summer offerings from kiwi label Ooby Ryn , pictured is one of their new seasons dress styles with its great print , classic lines and worn with a fantastic Ooby Ryn belt .

Mellow Yellow

2008-02-25T19:50:00.000+05:30

Every season there is “A” colour . You can tell what it is because everyone uses it in there collections and suddenly out of no where it starts arriving in chain stores in huge numbers .
This season its yellow , yellow in every shade , texture and accent under the sun . And frankly as taken aback as i was when i heard yellow would be the colour du jour last year .... now that its arrived I'm really impressed by what's around .

The best locally comes from Zambesi , their summer collection makes a great colour follow up to the Zambesi winter offerings . The yellow that is peppered throughout their designs is paired with shimmering blues and crisp creams and whites which are melded in a signature leaf print . The pictured corsca dress is my favourite , but check out their site for great yellow swimwear and accent pieces .

CERTIFICATES FOR INDIAN ARTS AND CRAFTS

2008-02-20T16:04:00.000+05:30

The Indian Arts and Crafts Board offers each Indian enterprise the privilege of attaching to its trademark a certificate declaring that it is recognized by the Indian Arts and Crafts Board as an Indian enterprise dealing in genuine Indian-made handicraft products, and that its trade-mark has the approval of the Board. The certificate shall consist of a border around the trade-mark bearing the words ``Certified Indian Enterprise Genuine Handicrafts, U.S. Indian Arts and Crafts Board, Department of the Interior,'' and these words may be used wherever the trade-mark appears. Application for the certificates are made to the Indian Arts and Crafts Board, Department of the Interior. Conditions of eligibility to attach certificates.

It must offer for sale only Indian-made genuine handicraft products, i.e., objects produced by Indian craftsmen with the help of only such devices as allow the manual skill of the maker to condition the shape and design of each individual product.

It must be entirely Indian owned and organized either by individual Indians or by groups of Indians.

It must agree to apply certificates of genuineness only to such products as meet the standards of quality prescribed by the Indian Arts and Crafts Board at the time of the application of the enterprise for the privilege of attaching the certificate.

It must agree to obtain the approval of the Indian Arts and Crafts Board as to the manner of production of the certificates.

Penalties for misuse of trade-marks

The use of Government trade-marks in an unauthorized manner, or the colorable imitation of such marks, is subject to the criminal penalties.

Any person who shall counterfeit or colorably imitate any Government trade-mark used or devised by the Board shall, or any person who shall knowingly make any false statement for the purpose of obtaining the use of any such Government trade-mark, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof shall be enjoined from further carrying on the act or acts complained of and shall be subject to a fine not exceeding $2,000, or imprisonment not exceeding six months, or both such fine and imprisonment.

Revocation of privilege of attaching certificates

If an enterprise, after securing the privilege of attaching the certificates, should fail to meet the above-named conditions, the Board reserves the right to revoke the privilege.

2008-02-18T18:52:00.001+05:30

Janice Gray, the mother of my old friend Dona, recently passed away. She was as glorious a human being and as full of life and love and laughter as anyone I have ever met. I could write pages and pages about her and that still wouldn't do her justice. More importantly nothing I could say could ever properly explain how it felt to be loved by her. When Janice loved you- man, you knew it. I knew it. Even though I won't see her incredibly blue, beautiful, smiling eyes again or watch her throw back her head with a hearty laugh or almost believe her amazingly serious, deadpan face when she was delivering an incredibly witty zinger, I know she lives on. She's in the hearts of all those who were lucky enough to know her.

She and Dona were extremely close. When thinking of an image that would mirror thier relationship this is the one I came up with. It's called "One Heart" and seems appropriate for a Valentine's Day post.

There has been a tribute page set up in Janice's honor. I hope the family posts on the website the picture that was on the flyer at her memorial. There she was, dipping her bare feet in the Atlantic Ocean for the first time. She had her jeans rolled up, head back, arms triumphantly extended and a huge smile on her face. She had written in the sand "I WAS HERE!"

Oh yes, Janice, you most certainly were.

In Pursuit of Arts & Crafts

2008-02-18T18:36:00.000+05:30

Yesterday, in speaking to the concierge at my hotel, the Righa Royal (pronounced--of course--Liga Loyal), she was kind enough to show me two pages in a visitor guide that had information about hands-on handicrafts in Kyoto.
I poured over that document like I would find enlightenment within. Hemming and hawing over WHAT activities I wanted to do most. In the end, she picked the activities for me, based upon geography, but oh gosh how can you not love a city that is such an active promoter of arts & crafts.
My first stop was a fabric dyeing course. This is sort of the Japanese version of COLOR ME MINE. Pick the item you want to color, pick the pattern, and off you go. I dyed a purse, painting some fish on one side, and a crab on the other. (Then I made my mom a birthday present, a table runner with a bird on a bamboo.)
My next stop was on to a papermaking course. I entered the store and immediately felt like I'd come HOME. Home-made paper everywhere. (You should see the stuff I bought here, sigh, I've blown my food budget for three months, but it was totally worth it.) The class here only cost $4, which is a tremendous bargain. It was a little simplistic, and at first I was a little disappointed, but later I figured out the guys were nervous about their English. Once I started bugging them with every kind of question, "how do you do this technique," "how do you get this color" I started making some cooler pieces of paper

Terracotta

2008-02-18T18:27:00.000+05:30

We are production and export of Table Lamps, Wooden Photo Frames, Wooden Mirror Frames,Natural Stone, Candle Holder and decorative Bowls and modern-living pine wood furniture

2008-02-18T18:22:00.002+05:30

Back to Reality

Mandvi, Gujrat:-I have my family to thank for a lot of things, but on top of the list is teaching me to speak in my mother tongue. Being able to speak Gujrati has made such a remarkable difference in my ability to develop a relationship and solicit responses from the artisans and producers I’m working with here in Gujarat (in comparison to Mumbai). We all know I have a corky sense of humor, but believe it or not, my humor actually translates across cultures and it is such a relief that in addition to enjoying a cup of masala chai, I am also able to joke around and make people laugh. Having spent a day and a half with VGS, I made my mama proud – I was asked how I spoke such beautiful gujrati.

When I visited a fashion scarves producer in Mumbai, I was a little jolted to find out that the firm doesn’t make a single product. They are simply a wholesale distributor/exporter – I’m not even sure all of their products are handmade. Any stitching work, embroidery work, etc. is outsourced. So I am a bit confused why a Fair Trade organization would work with a firm that has no direct impact on the actual scarf weavers. I hope to clarify this with Asha during my exit presentation. I’m sure there is more to the story than I am aware of.

Nirona, Kutch Gujrat

2008-02-18T18:16:00.000+05:30

This is the story of Khet Singh (pictured). He is the youngest of four brothers and has studied through the 10th grade (completed high school). He and his family own farm land outside of Nirona, a larger village (population ~15,000) north of Bhuj, which provides for their livelihood. Currently there are 26 family members living in their house and the best I could break it down is as such:

1 - Khet Singh, his wife and 2 sons
2 - Devjibhai (older brother), his wife and children (6 girls)
3 - Khet Singh's Parents
4- son of Khet Singh's brother's wife
5 - Khet Singh's eldest brother's children
6 - Goats
7 - Calf
8- Other kids

Homeware Crafts

2008-02-18T10:51:00.000+05:30

A Various methods to achieve this target was carried out through the Pengembangan Program of the Pariwisata Product and the Pemasaran Program of Tourism.The development program of the tourism product in part in the form of the activity: the physical development of the tourist attraction, the increase in the attraction of the tour, the RDTOW compilation the south coastal region, the formation of the tour village and diligence, pushed the private sector in the tourism field et cetera.

Other beaded handicrafts

2006-07-24T14:05:00.000+05:30

Beaded belts. All Color Available .Size - 28 inch to 32inchs , Material - Glass beads , shell , senter pices, camical pices, wodden beads,artifical feroza stone. {Date - 19/6/2006}
Beaded Cap {pice code - U513}. Five Color Available black , red, blue, pink, topaz.Size - Normal, Material - Glass beads , shell , senter pices . {Date - 19/6/2006}
Shell belt , Five Color Available black , red, blue, pink, topaz.Size - 30 inch , Material - Glass beads , shell , senter pices . {Date - 19/6/2006}
Shoulder and neck or back {pice code - U544}. Five Color Available black , red, blue, pink, topaz.Size - Normal, Material - Glass beads , Feroza stone , senter pices , aucique stone . {Date - 19/6/2006}
Beaded belt {pice code - U582 , U584, U583, U585}. Five Color Available black , red, blue, pink, topaz.Size - 2inch,3inch,4inchs, Material - Glass beads , shell , senter pices . {Date - 19/6/2006}

Beaded bags

2006-07-13T17:09:00.000+05:30

Multi color Beaded Bags {pice code US-96}. Material - Glass beads , shell, senter pice. {Date - 19/6/2006} Beaded Bags {pice code - US-25 , US26 , US27}. Five Color Available black , red, blue, pink, topaz. Material - Glass beads , shell, senter pice, wodden beads. {Date - 19/6/2006} Handle Bags {pice code - US-97}. Five Color Available black , red, blue, pink, topaz, material - Glass beads , shell, senter pice, brass bols, Feroza stone.{Date - 19/6/2006} Beaded Bags {pice code - US-98}. Five Color Available black , red, blue, pink, topaz, Material - Glass beads , shell, senter pice. {Date - 19/6/2006}Beaded Bags {pice code US-48, US-49}. Five Color Available black , red, blue, pink, topaz, material - Glass beads , shell, senter pice, feroza stone , wodden beads. {Date - 19/6/2006}Handle and mobile bags {pice code - US-81 , US-82 , US-83 , US-84}. Five Color Available black , red, blue, pink, topaz, Material - Glass beads , shell, senter pice. {Date - 19/6/2006}Beaded Bags {pice code - US-99}. Five Color Available black , red, blue, pink, topaz, material - Glass beads , shell, senter pice. {Date - 19/6/2006}

Beaded necklase

2006-07-13T15:07:00.000+05:30

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Necklase {pice code - 004}. Five Color Available black , red, blue, pink, topaz, Size - Normal, Material - Glass beads , shell's, wodden beads. {Date - 19/6/2006}
Beaded necklase {Pice code - US-18 , US19}. Five Color Available black , red, blue, pink, topaz, Size - Normal, Material - Glass beads , shell's, center pice, brass bols. {Date - 19/6/2006}

Glass Beaded and shell necklase {pice code - US-55, US-56 , US-57}. Five Color Available black , red, blue, pink, topaz, Size - Normal, Material - Glass beads , shell, wodden beads. {Date - 19/6/2006}

Glass Beaded necklase {pice code - U6015}. Five Color Available black , red, blue, pink, topaz, Size - Normal, Material - Glass beads , shell's. {Date - 19/6/2006}
Necklase {pice code - US-01}. Five Color Available black , red, blue, pink, topaz, Size - Normal, Material - Glass beads , shell, center pice and brass bols. {Date - 19/6/2006}

Beaded necklase

2006-07-12T15:14:00.000+05:30

Hand beslates {pice code - US-02}. Five Color Available black , red, blue, pink, topaz, Size - Normal, Material - Glass beads , shell. {Date - 19/6/2006} Shell necklase {pice code US-03}. Five Color Available black , red, blue, pink, topaz, Size - Normal, Material - Glass beads , shell's. {Date - 19/6/2006}
Shell necklase {pice code - US-04}. Five Color Available black , red, blue, pink, topaz, Size - Normal, Material - shell's. {Date - 19/6/2006}
Shell necklase {pice code - US-05}. Five Color Available black , red, blue, pink, topaz, Size - Normal, Material - shell. {Date - 19/6/2006}

Shell necklase {pice code - US-06}. Five Color Available black , red, blue, pink, topaz, Size - Normal, Material - shell. {Date - 19/6/2006}

Beaded belts

2006-07-12T11:37:00.000+05:30

Beaded Belt {pice code - US-07} Five Color Available Size - 28 inch, material - Glass beads , shell , coconut buttons. {Date -19/6/2006}Beaded Belt {pice code - US-08} Five Color Available, Size - 35.00inch, Material - Glass beads , shell . {Date -19/6/2006}

Beaded Belts {pice code - US-09} Five Color Available Size - 30 inch, Material - Glass beads , shell , senter pice, wooden beads, brass bolls coconut buttons. {Date -19/6/2006}
Beaded Belts {pice code US-10} Five Color Available Size - 30 inch, Material - Glass beads , shell , senter pice, wooden beads, brass bolls coconut buttons. {Date -19/6/2006}
Beaded Belts {pice code - US-11} Five Color Available Size - 28 inch, material - Glass beads , shell , senter pice, wooden beads, brass bolls coconut buttons.
{Date -19/6/2006}
Beaded Belt {pice code US-12} Five Color Available Size - 30 inch, material - Glass beads , shell , senter pice, wooden beads, brass bolls coconut buttons. {Date -19/6/2006}
Beaded Belt {pice code US-13} Five Color Available Size - 30 inch, Material - Glass beads , shell , senter pice, wooden beads, brass bolls coconut buttons. {Date -19/6/2006}

Beaded belts

2006-07-11T15:29:00.000+05:30

Beaded belt {pice code - US1}. Five Color Available black , red, blue, pink, topaz.Size - 30 inch , Material - Glass beads , shell , senter pices . {Date - 19/6/2006} Beaded belt {pice code - US2}. Five Color Available black , red, blue, pink, topaz.Size - 30 inch , Material - Glass beads , shell , senter pices . {Date - 19/6/2006}Beaded belt {pice code - US3}. Five Color Available black , red, blue, pink, topaz.Size - 30 inch , Material - Glass beads , shell , senter pices . {Date - 19/6/2006}Beaded belt {pice code - US4}. Five Color Available black , red, blue, pink, topaz.Size - 30 inch , Material - Glass beads , shell , senter pices . {Date - 19/6/2006}Beaded belt {pice code - US5}. Five Color Available black , red, blue, pink, topaz.Size - 30 inch , Material - Glass beads , shell , senter pices .{Date - 19/6/2006}Beaded belt {pice code - US6}. Five Color Available black , red, blue, pink, topaz.Size - 30 inch , Material - Glass beads , shell , senter pices . {Date - 19/6/2006}Beaded belt {pice code - US7}. Five Color Available black , red, blue, pink, topaz.Size - 30 inch , Material - Glass beads , shell , senter pices .{Date - 19/6/2006} Beaded belt {pice code - US8}. Five Color Available black , red, blue, pink, topaz.Size - 30 inch , Material - Glass beads , shell , senter pices .{Date - 19/6/2006}