The Exciting Tale of Indigo

Natural indigo dye produces a distinctive blue color that synthetic dyes simply cannot replicate. Historically, this natural pigment is extracted from the leaves of various plant species including wood, indigo, and polygonum. These plants contain the greatest concentration of blue dye molecules, making them ideal to use for the meticulous extraction process.

India was the earliest major center for the production and processing of indigo dye. The Indigo fera tinctoria species of the indigo plant was largely domesticated in the country before the final product—which is the indigo dye—made its way to the Romans and the Greeks, who valued it as a luxury. Of the three primary colors, blue was considered the rarest and most regal mainly because it can only be generated from a particular species of plant (unlike red and yellow, which are easily derived from many kinds of flora and fauna).

Exactly how do the green leaves of the indigo plant produce the blue hue of the indigo dye? The extraction process is equally complex and magical. Indigo farming involves a number of meticulous steps that should be carried out with precise timing. After the leaves are harvested, they are soaked in water and left to ferment. This causes the pigment to detach from glucose, leaving indigo white in the water as the leaves are taken out. Only when the leaves are fermented and exposed to air does the blue color of the dye appear. The proper whisking motion is required so that the blue color will settle at the bottom, forming a watery clay. The sludge of blue pigment dye is then sundried or heated, and then molded into pigment cakes.

In the early 1900s, over 30,000 acres of land were reserved for the cultivation of Indigo, producing and shipping 4,000 tons of the natural blue dye per year. Today, however, synthetic dyes are becoming more prevalent, pushing aside the tradition that has been kept alive for hundreds of generations. Indigo farming in India has since dwindled, leaving only one family currently engaged in the trade. Fortunately, there are companies that still support its legacy and tradition, keeping natural indigo dye alive through their traditionally produced and designed shirts, sarees, and apparels.

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Channapatna - The Craft Story

First popularized by the ruler of Mysore Tipu Sultan, Channapatna toy-making and wood crafting has a long and rich history. It is a tradition that has been kept around for centuries. Even now, many artisans make a living out of handcrafting vibrant wooden toys and similar products like home décor, women’s jewelry, and accessories.

It’s been said that Channapatna is a 200-year old craft introduced to India when Tipu Sultan invited Persian artists to teach the art to local Indian artisans way back in the 1750s. Since then, the art has been passed down, generation after generation, particularly in the Channapatna town of Karnataka. Channapatna is popularly known as Gombegala ooru or “The Toy City,” being home to artisans and artisan families that still practice the toy craft.

This particular technique of wood crafting involves artisans shaping wood into various shapes in order to make all kinds of playthings, ranging from dolls and balls to bangles and board games. The process requires two major raw materials in the form of Aale mara or ivory wood and lacquer sticks. Wood is traditionally cut into 15 or 20-millimeter sizes and dried above fire in order to remove moisture. Once dry, the wood is shaped and turned using hand-operated lathe tools, chisels, and other shaping implements. Nowadays, mechanical tools that don’t require rotation by hand make the process a lot faster and easier. Color is applied using lacquer sticks, which are spread and glossed using the natural heat of a palm leaf, rubbing against the turning wood. The individually shaped parts are then cut and assembled into completely child-safe, non-toxic, and environment friendly wooden toys.

The town of Channapatna is one of the most popular places where these wooden toys are made. Many local artisans partake in Channapatna toy-making as their main means of livelihood. They consider the art an important tradition that should still be passed on from generation to generation, especially in this day and age of mass manufactured and cheaper look-alikes. These artisans make it a point to teach their kids the craft so that the tradition of toy-making can live on.

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Why Buying Indian Handicrafts Online Is a Good Option

Branded and designer products are typically preferred when the purpose is to invest in high-quality and durable pieces. Some consumers may even prefer designer home décor for bragging rights. If you are on a budget, you can still obtain the same kinds of high-quality Indian handicraftsand décor by preferring products that are made in India. Indian handicrafts are available online and come in a wide array of products, like embroidered works, wooden décor, hand-painted gifts, light fixtures, and apparel. They are popular with discerning customers who have a penchant for high-quality handcrafted and one-of-a-kind products. 

Authentic Indian handicrafts are made by talented and seasoned artisans, usually by hand, and some by combining traditional and contemporary methods to produce higher-quality and durable pieces. You can purchase Indian handicrafts online to save time and money, and as long as you get them from a reputable store, you can be sure to acquire attractive and timeless crafts and decorative elements that will add more beauty and elegance to your home.

Reputable stores carry authentic and carefully hand-picked Indian handicrafts at reasonable prices. Most products are not mass produced. Hence, there is only one or only a few like them in the world and you can take more pride in owning them. Some merchants offer free shipping when your order reaches a particular sum, and your purchases are covered by free returns. Just be sure to inform them about the exchange within a week and within 24 hours in case you find any damages. You can count on their reliable round-the-clock support, too, in case you have any questions or issues with your order.

You are not the only one who will benefit from buying Indian handicrafts online. In fact, by preferring these products, you are supporting the artisans and craftspeople who make them. Hence, by buying Indian handicrafts from reputable online stores who support these people, you get to contribute to their livelihood, too.

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Finding Handloom Cotton Sarees with Modern Look

A saree may be traditional clothing in India, but modern styles are already being incorporated in their look to appeal to contemporary wearers. For discerning women, handloom cotton sarees provide an exclusive and sophisticated look they deserve. Those products are exclusively designed and completed using traditional methods, like hand embroidery, hand-printing, and hand-weaving to celebrate the Indian heritage around textiles and handicrafts. Handwoven cotton sarees are light and perfect for summer to keep you cool. Their bright, eye-catching, colours are accentuated with delicate kantha embroidery. Some of the best hand embroideries on high-quality cotton sarees are done by artisans in West Bengal, India.

Cotton is one of the best materials used in handloom sarees designed for everyday wear. As handloom cotton sarees are made by hand, you can be sure that there is nothing exactly like them in the world. Hence, you can take pride when wearing a beautiful, colourful, and one-of-a-kind saree. It would feel like the saree was made especially for you. Many handloom cotton sarees come in modern and contemporary designs featuring an array of trendy patterns and shapes. Some sarees come with traditional patterns like mandalas, yet they are designed with contemporary elements to make them timeless and great to wear for many years to come, as they can surpass the trends.

A handloom cotton saree is a higher-quality product than mass-produced sarees that are widely available in marketplaces. By choosing handloom sarees, you are picking a special product that celebrates the talent of the artisans who made them. Likewise, handloom cotton sarees celebrate tradition, which is slowly becoming forgotten or ignored in favour of cheaper alternatives. These sarees are a good investment, especially if you are looking for a versatile piece you can wear daily without worrying about sacrificing quality. Mass-produced sarees tend to deteriorate fast, as they are made with low-end materials and dyes.

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Make Your Mom Feel Special By Gifting Her A Handmade Saree

There are many ways to make your mom feel special, and one of these is by giving her a one-of-a-kind gift, like a handmade saree. Saree literally means ‘a strip of cloth’ in Sanskrit, and that is a fact, as it is actually a piece of unstitched fabric that you wrap around your body. However, the manner of wearing a saree is inspired by a flower with open petals. While this traditional Indian clothing has been worn for years, newer trends and designs keep it popular with many women around the world.

Handmade saree designs are timeless and never go out of style, and they feature coloured, embroidered, and stylish motifs that make the clothing versatile for ordinary and special occasions.

A handmade saree can be a DIY project, but it can become daunting when you lack the time, resources, or the skill to do it. In that case, consider buying a saree that is handmade by talented craftsmen from India. That way, you can be sure that your mom will receive only the best present made by the finest hands.

Look for a reputable online store that carries a wide array of authentic Indian handicrafts, and make sure it offers 24/7 support and a reliable free returns and exchange program.

The saree is typically four to nine yards long, and it can be draped over the body in different styles, usually according to your preference. One of the most common ways to wear a saree is by wrapping it around your waist, with the loose end draped over the shoulder. 

The traditional Indian garment is often worn over a blouse with full or half sleeves, with a low neck, and gathered at the centre of the shoulder for easy adjustments. A handmade saree is a classy and elegant gift your mom can cherish, as it is practical and it is something she can wear as often as she wants.

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Luxurious elegance of wooden luminance

To achieve a perfect element of lighting is the most important aspect of designing interiors. A play of light is the only thing needed to switch the aura of room. Lighting alone can affect the overall appeal of your home. A light fixture and its placement should offer a combination of functionality and elegance.

Talking about elegance, grace ...wood is one thing that hits the top of list. Wood is something that never ever goes out of trend, be it about light fixtures or any other aspect of home interior. The reason seems quite simple, It can easily play along with almost every home interior.it always adds up the feel of warmth and sophistication. It brings an element of nature to your interior envoirment.

Wood can give your home an earthy and timeless appeal, and can make you feel one with nature. When used in lamps, it creates a minimalist look that can go with any interior design. For a contemporary or modern look, think streamlined, simple shapes and designs. Another way to use them to achieve a classic and worldly look is to pair wood with bright colors. Lamps with a bold pattern or carving can add texture to a plain space.

For a one-of-a-kind touch, consider handmade wooden lamps crafted and adorned by talented craftsmen and artisans from India. To explore more and shop authentic Indian handcrafted wooden lamps click 

https://www.studioenoy.com/home-and-decor/lighting.html

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Bring Home Colours – With Channapatna Lacquer Wares

Wish to showcase the little child inside you? Need a way to deck up with sophisticated, elegant yet Cheeky designs?

Childishness and sophistication - they seem like to oppose poles in every sense, don’t they! But you can make these opposing poles meet, creating a one-of-its-kind look that will leave everyone in awe by channapatna lacquer ware. For more than one reason they are the perfect element to add to your personalization palette.

Channapatna: A small town located near Bangalore in the state of Karnataka, India. It’s known as gombegala Ooru in local dialect, which means the Land of Toys, as this town specializes in making lacquered wooden toys. These traditional channapatna toys from India have already carved out a reputation in international platform.

Origin of this art form can be traced back to a ruler with keen interest in wooden toys – “Tipu sultan”, ruler of Mysore. He called artisans from Persia to train local artisans in the craft of making wooden toys. Vegetable dyes and different types of wood were used to create beautiful and enticingly colourful toys under this specific craft form. What makes this craft interesting is that artisans still follow the traditional methods and materials of toy making, hence they are eco-friendly and above all non-toxic as they still use only natural colours (turmeric, kumkum, indigo etc.)..…all this makes it quite ideal for kids too.

Despite being a known toy craft in international market, it has its own struggles to survive. Major one is to compete against Chinese toys, whose quality is definitely questionable by everybody but they come with quite cheaper price tags. To overcome this issue few brands like Studioenoy are diversifying this craft form to create charming pieces of jewellery and home décor (tableware, lightings etc.) Their philosophy is to add up minimalistic design component to the traditional craft while keeping its essence alive, so that the product maintains its handcraft attraction and is of functional value too.

So bring home the colours this season with studioenoy……

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