Kondapalli craft: You can’t have money without meaning

In order to understand a craft, it is important to not only understand it from the technical-economic point of view but also to understand the spirit behind it – the meaning the craft holds for the craft community. There are crafts which slowly languish and die not only because the craft products do not bring … Continue reading Kondapalli craft: You can’t have money without meaning

Fashion design with a conscience

Western designers working with traditional artisans in India creating products for a consumer market with an ethical consciousness. How can the designers contribute to the artisan communities in a sustainable way? Bhukhu is an appliqué embroiderer from the small village of Marharbat, near Barmer in Rajasthan, India. She is sixty-four years old. Bhukhu learnt the … Continue reading Fashion design with a conscience

Happy Hands opens a new door for craft in the city

Medhavi Gandhi from the foundation Happy Hands talks about the need to develop creative potential among craftspersons, particularly to connect to new urban markets. What made you interested in craft? At first, I did not even know how many types of crafts or arts our country could boast of – but as an intern for … Continue reading Happy Hands opens a new door for craft in the city

Sandra Bowkett–the Company of Potters

In modern times, Australians are more drawn to new technologies than heritage craft traditions. Inevitably though, there are still people who are born with an enduring impulse to make objects of beauty with their hands. Sandra Bowkett is one of those people. Given relative lack of recognition for traditional crafts in her home country, she … Continue reading Sandra Bowkett–the Company of Potters