The 'Craftmark Initiative' is an effort by the 'All India Artisans and Craftworkers Welfare Association (AIACA)' to help denote genuine Indian handicrafts, develop sector-wide minimum standards and norms for labeling a product as a handicrafts product, and increase consumer awareness of distinct handicraft traditions. Under this initiative, AIACA will license the Craftmark logo for use by craft-based businesses, cooperatives and NGOs for use on product tickets and labels.
AIACA is a membership-based apex body for the handloom and handicraft sectors and seeks to represent a range of organizations in the handloom and handicrafts sector and to engage in policy advocacy activities aimed at increasing the domestic market for handloom and handicraft products and improving the standard of living of craftworkers.
The Craftmark logo is intended for organizations that are producers or retailers of Indian handicraft products. The logo is licensed to applicants only after a verification of their craft products and the craft genres they belong to.
Website: http://www.craftmark.org
Thursday, June 26, 2008
AIACA
The All India Artisans and Craftworkers Welfare Association (AIACA) is a membership-based apex body for the handloom and handicraft sectors. It seeks to represent a range of organizations in these sectors and to engage in policy advocacy activities aimed at increasing the domestic market for handloom and handicraft products along with improving the standard of living of craft workers.
In addition to policy research and advocacy work, AIACA also implements a range of initiatives to enhance access of crafts producers to mainstream markets. These initiatives include the Community owned Companies Project - a unique initiative piloting producer-owned companies in rural areas, the 'Craftmark Initiative' - a certification program for Indian Handicrafts to distinguish them from machine-made products in the market and a tie-up with Aid to Artisans, a US based NGO, for providing marketing and capacity building services to craft producer groups.
Website: http://www.aiacaonline.org
In addition to policy research and advocacy work, AIACA also implements a range of initiatives to enhance access of crafts producers to mainstream markets. These initiatives include the Community owned Companies Project - a unique initiative piloting producer-owned companies in rural areas, the 'Craftmark Initiative' - a certification program for Indian Handicrafts to distinguish them from machine-made products in the market and a tie-up with Aid to Artisans, a US based NGO, for providing marketing and capacity building services to craft producer groups.
Website: http://www.aiacaonline.org
Indian Institue of Crafts & Design
Indian Institute of Crafts and Design is an autonomous institute of excellence, set up by the Govt. of Rajasthan, to act as a catalyst for the crafts sector. Presently, the institute is being managed by the Ambuja Educational Institute (AEI) under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model.
The Indian Institute of Crafts and Design has been set up to function as a research, knowledge and skill based Institute that makes craft sector contemporary and relevant in the present macro economic scenario. The main programmes of the Institute are Education, Training & Outreach, Research & Documentation and Advisory & Consultancy Services.
Programmes:
* 4-year Undergraduate Programme in Craft & Design
* 5-semester PG Programme in Home Textiles and Furniture Design & Interior Products
Contact Address:
Indian Institute of Crafts and Design
J-8, Jhalana Institutional Area
Jaipur-302017
Ph: +91-141-2701203, 2701504, 2700156,
Fax: +91-141-2700160
Email: info@iicd.ac.in
Website: http://www.iicd.ac.in
The Indian Institute of Crafts and Design has been set up to function as a research, knowledge and skill based Institute that makes craft sector contemporary and relevant in the present macro economic scenario. The main programmes of the Institute are Education, Training & Outreach, Research & Documentation and Advisory & Consultancy Services.
Programmes:
* 4-year Undergraduate Programme in Craft & Design
* 5-semester PG Programme in Home Textiles and Furniture Design & Interior Products
Contact Address:
Indian Institute of Crafts and Design
J-8, Jhalana Institutional Area
Jaipur-302017
Ph: +91-141-2701203, 2701504, 2700156,
Fax: +91-141-2700160
Email: info@iicd.ac.in
Website: http://www.iicd.ac.in
BOARDS for Discussion & Questions
Very soon we will be launching boards for our fellow visitors where they can share, discuss and question on all art & crafts related topics.
We have planned to launch Two boards, One for Discussion and Questions and Second for showcasing your Projects with link to Pictures or Tutorials.
At WOH, we personally believe that our blog can serve as both valuable and productive platform, for sharing knowledge and educating our community (esp. young generation) about the true worth and scope of Indian handicrafts.
You are all invited to pour in your valuable suggestions and comments.
We have planned to launch Two boards, One for Discussion and Questions and Second for showcasing your Projects with link to Pictures or Tutorials.
At WOH, we personally believe that our blog can serve as both valuable and productive platform, for sharing knowledge and educating our community (esp. young generation) about the true worth and scope of Indian handicrafts.
You are all invited to pour in your valuable suggestions and comments.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Abture: An Indian e-commerce store
Ok, so all of us who have been looking to own an online store specifically on Indian e-commerce website, here is a chance to do so. 'Abture' is an e-commerce website, promoted by chennai-based company, that provides user-friendly software that can help anyone to open web stores online in minutes.
Abture provides the tools for you to become a 'online retailer' without the headaches of customer service, inventory costs and shipping, product fulfillment, merchant accounts, and returns.
All you freelancers, individuals and small businesses including designers, architects, NGOs make sure to visit: http://www.abture.in
Abture provides the tools for you to become a 'online retailer' without the headaches of customer service, inventory costs and shipping, product fulfillment, merchant accounts, and returns.
All you freelancers, individuals and small businesses including designers, architects, NGOs make sure to visit: http://www.abture.in
Friday, June 20, 2008
Kalamkari - The Art of Textile Painitng
Kalamkari or Qalamkari is a type of hand-painted or block-printed cotton textile, produced mainly in Andhra Pradesh, India.
The name kalamkari is synonymous with both painted and hand block-printed textiles that incorporate natural vegetable/organically-derived dye stuffs. While there are many forms of kalamkari throughout India and the world, the focus of this site is kalamkari practice in Sri Kalahasti, Andhra Pradesh, in South India.
The cotton fabric gets its glossiness by immersing it for an hour in a mixture of myrabalam (resin) and cow milk. Contours and reasons are then drawn with a point in bamboo soaked in a mixture of jagri fermented and water; one by one these are applied, then the vegetable dyes. After each color, the Kalamkari is washed. Thus, each fabric can undergo up to 20 washings. Various effects are obtained by cow dung, seeds, plants and crushed flowers. In addition to the traditional style narrative wall hangings artists also create hand painted saris, dupattas, personal items and home accessories.
Expressionism: Fantasy through Art
Expressionism gained importance as an art genre in the 19th and 20th centuries. Unlike Impressionism, its goals were not to reproduce the impressions suggested by the surrounding world but to strongly impose the artist's sensibility on the world. It is marked by exaggeration, distortion, primitiveness and fantasy.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Country to get its first 'Handicraft Mall'
According to reports, India will soon get its first 'Handicraft Mall' and for this purpose the process of allotment of two and a half acres of land in the Vasant Kunj area of New Delhi is in its final stages.
The first and one of its kind, 'Handicraft Mall' will house Handicraft products from all the states across the country and will make way for their trade. Efforts are also being made to establish a 'Marketing mall' and a 'Crafts Institute' and the 'Indian Institute of Crafts' in Jaipur, Rajasthan.
The first and one of its kind, 'Handicraft Mall' will house Handicraft products from all the states across the country and will make way for their trade. Efforts are also being made to establish a 'Marketing mall' and a 'Crafts Institute' and the 'Indian Institute of Crafts' in Jaipur, Rajasthan.
Handicraft sector fighting odds for survival
Despite the fact that the Indian handicraft industry is doing well (at least on paper), craftsmen on the other hand, who are the facilitators of this sector, are slowly moving out of the sector in search for more profitable and viable options.
India is one of the important supplier of handicrafts to the world market. Although export of handicrafts appear to be sizable, India's share in world imports is very small. Despite the existence of production base and a large number of craftsmen, India has not been able to encash existing opportunities.
On the issue of availability of finance from banks and other financial institutions, Shambhu Kumar, a maker of Madhubani paintings from Bihar said, "We have a very limited resources in terms of cash. Due to lack of money we can't procure raw materials too. There are times we have to sit idle because we don't have raw material to start our work. The people from whom we buy these raw materials don't give credit."
When asked about profit margins, Muthulingam, who makes items from terracotta clay said, "It is not that there is no demand for this art...there is. But since the artisans are poor they are compelled to sell their products very cheap to the local agents. Authorities need to facilitate us in finding our customers directly....something like this Dilli Haat concept."
"However this is not enough. There are millions of artisans and a couple of these haats will not solve the problem. There should be some direct marketing technique, where the artisans can sell their products at a reasonable price under the same roof."
"Here I came to know that one can sell handicraft items by using the internet. But I have no idea how it works. Authorities need to help us in this. Skill development is very important to remain profitable," he adds.
Indian handicrafts, typically considered a cottage industry has shown an increase of Rs. 2761.29 crore from Rs. 14526.85 to Rs. 17,288.14 crore, an increase of 19.01% in rupees term.
In the changing world scenario, craft products exported to various countries from a part of life style products in international market. The impact is due to the changing consumer taste and trends. In the view of this it is high time for Indian handicraft industry to go into the details of changing designs, patterns, product development, requisite change in production facilities for a variety of materials, production techniques, related expertise to achieve a leadership position in the fast growing competitiveness with other countries.
The 6 million craft persons who are the backbone of Indian industry as provided with inherent skill, technique, traditional craftsmanship, but that is quite sufficient for primary platform. However, in changing world market these craft persons need an international support, at their place i.e. craft pockets for value addition and for the edge with other competitors like China, Korea, Thailand etc.
Disclaimer: Original article is written by Mr. Saurabh Gupta
India is one of the important supplier of handicrafts to the world market. Although export of handicrafts appear to be sizable, India's share in world imports is very small. Despite the existence of production base and a large number of craftsmen, India has not been able to encash existing opportunities.
On the issue of availability of finance from banks and other financial institutions, Shambhu Kumar, a maker of Madhubani paintings from Bihar said, "We have a very limited resources in terms of cash. Due to lack of money we can't procure raw materials too. There are times we have to sit idle because we don't have raw material to start our work. The people from whom we buy these raw materials don't give credit."
When asked about profit margins, Muthulingam, who makes items from terracotta clay said, "It is not that there is no demand for this art...there is. But since the artisans are poor they are compelled to sell their products very cheap to the local agents. Authorities need to facilitate us in finding our customers directly....something like this Dilli Haat concept."
"However this is not enough. There are millions of artisans and a couple of these haats will not solve the problem. There should be some direct marketing technique, where the artisans can sell their products at a reasonable price under the same roof."
"Here I came to know that one can sell handicraft items by using the internet. But I have no idea how it works. Authorities need to help us in this. Skill development is very important to remain profitable," he adds.
Indian handicrafts, typically considered a cottage industry has shown an increase of Rs. 2761.29 crore from Rs. 14526.85 to Rs. 17,288.14 crore, an increase of 19.01% in rupees term.
In the changing world scenario, craft products exported to various countries from a part of life style products in international market. The impact is due to the changing consumer taste and trends. In the view of this it is high time for Indian handicraft industry to go into the details of changing designs, patterns, product development, requisite change in production facilities for a variety of materials, production techniques, related expertise to achieve a leadership position in the fast growing competitiveness with other countries.
The 6 million craft persons who are the backbone of Indian industry as provided with inherent skill, technique, traditional craftsmanship, but that is quite sufficient for primary platform. However, in changing world market these craft persons need an international support, at their place i.e. craft pockets for value addition and for the edge with other competitors like China, Korea, Thailand etc.
Disclaimer: Original article is written by Mr. Saurabh Gupta
AtoZ Supermarket
Hi Folks,
I am sure most of us have been to or heard of auction sites like eBay.com to sell & buy products. But like no free-lunch thing, they come alongwith lot of tags attached to them including listing charges (whether product sold or not), sale fees & other host of other service charges. Moreover, it has been noticed that there is a constant fear among users, of their account being suspended (sometimes without no reason & rhyme too).
Recently, I chanced upon a website - http://www.atozsupermarket.com, which is actually not run-of-the-mill auction based sites stuff. Wanna know why?? well here are some of the reason's list...
I am sure most of us have been to or heard of auction sites like eBay.com to sell & buy products. But like no free-lunch thing, they come alongwith lot of tags attached to them including listing charges (whether product sold or not), sale fees & other host of other service charges. Moreover, it has been noticed that there is a constant fear among users, of their account being suspended (sometimes without no reason & rhyme too).
Recently, I chanced upon a website - http://www.atozsupermarket.com, which is actually not run-of-the-mill auction based sites stuff. Wanna know why?? well here are some of the reason's list...
- Buy now, Shop & Auction listings - Free
- Additional category fee - Free
- Images upload fee - Free
- Highlighted item/Bold item fee - Free
- Buy out - Free
- Make offer - Free
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
ETSY: A place to buy & sell handmade things
Are you a DIY type? Do you like to knit, sew, weave, paint or build? And have you ever wished to sell your articles/objects but couldn't because you didn't know how to?
Here is a solution called...ETSY, which is a thriving marketplace for handmade items of all sorts - home decor, clothing, pottery, jewelery, knitwear etc. So, go on, sell your stuff with style!
Visit Link: http://www.etsy.com
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About Me
- M@NI
- Delhi, India
- Dear Visitor - Welcome to 'WOH'. India has a rich history of handicrafts that has evolved over the centuries. The legacy of Indian culture promises everything- dignity, beauty, form and style. The idea behind creating this blog, is to come together and help each other in gaining insight knowledge on various forms & aspects of Indian art & crafts. You may share information or post articles/comments from your respective field of work and interest. Thanks for your visit and time :) -M@NI
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