Curry Tree Design

Most of the eco-friendly and handmade products has a unique beauty and charm because there is lots of care and attention to details. And of course there is a lot of hard work and empowerment behind each product. Curry Tree Design is one such brand that is committed to being eco-friendly, sustainable and support local artisans. Ekta Aggarwal is the force behind this brand that comes out with fabulous bags and clutches.  Thank you Ekta for that elegant and simple clutch… the royal blue colour is just beautiful and I had fun styling it for you...

 

 

 

 

 

Have a look at some of her products to visually feel what it’s like….

 

 

 

   

 

Lets hear more from Ekta about her journey with Curry Tree Design

 

How did your journey with Curry Tree Design begin?

 

I have had a long standing interest in Indian craft especially Indian hand-woven textiles. On

returning to India after completing my masters in Fine Art from Chelsea College of Arts,

London, I gave serious thought to what I really wanted to do for the long term. I decided to start

Curry Tree Design. I think being away from India for an extended period of time made me

realize the strong influence of Indian traditional textiles on my aesthetics.

 

What kind of formal training did you need to start this venture?

 

I have a MA in Fine Art from Chelsea College of Arts, University of the Arts London and BA in

Economics from Hindu College, University of Delhi. I am at present studying for MFA in Art at

California Institute of the Arts. At CalArts, I am right now participating in Hybrid Incubator for

Visionary Entrepreneur (HIVE) program to develop the necessary business and marketing skills

to take my company forward.

 

Where do you derive your inspiration for your designs?

 

I am inspired by the textures, patterns, lines and colours of the Indian handmade textiles. The

beauty and flaws of these fabrics draw attention to the human hand at work. My designs strive to

acknowledge the labor of the traditional craftswomen behind these fabrics. I am inspired by their

simple lifestyle that is so attuned and connected to the land.

 

What is unique about your products?

 

At Curry Tree Design we make earth friendly bags using handmade fabrics in India. Our aim is

to provide a platform for Indian craft and jobs for craftswomen. Through Curry Tree Design we

want to create awareness for compassionate fashion. Curry Tree Design supports animal welfare

and 10 % of our profits go towards animal care. We make beautiful products that uplift the

people who carry them, see them and make them.

 

Is there a website or online store? And is it available for overseas customers as well?

 

We do have a website where our customers can view our entire collection. We are also currently

building a new website that would be connected to an online shopping platform, so very soon our

customers will be able to buy our bags online.

We are aware that there is a worldwide interest in Indian handmade products. Our bags are

available for overseas customers as well. We ship our bags worldwide.

 

What is your vision for Curry Tree Design?

 

I see Curry Tree Design as a medium to help build a strong sustainable community to support everyone in the world and to create a better environment for all of us to coexist

 

 

 

Thank you Ekta for sharing your journey with me and my readers... We wish you a growing success in everything you do!!!

 

 

If you wish to get in touch with Ekta please write to currytreedesign@gmail.com and click here to browse through her products.

 

 

Tia Pakhi

Tia Pakhi is a popular label in many households that love Indian textiles, traditions, culture and craft. The French designer of Tia Pakhi, Anais Basu, exposed her fans to a beautiful blend of colours, craft and textile traditions. Her collection is pure joy and diverse. I am completely smitten on how she has brought out the simplicity and elegance of traditional Kantha embroidery on clothes, accessories and home linen. Her passion for textile and her love for India’s rich cultural heritage are definitely reflected in her collection.  I love the way she has translated the old vintage designs with new and made it classy and chic. It’s hard for me to describe what I see and feel … so here have a look!!

 

 

Too much eye candy right? Let’s move on to hear more from Anais and her love for Tia Pakhi

Anais, tell us a bit about you…. Your journey that brought you to India…Have you had any formal design background?

I studied Fashion and textile design in Paris. My dream was to visit India to discover its rich textile heritage and culture. My design sensibility was always attracted to natural yarns and bright colours. With my diploma in my pocket I flew to India for the first time in 2006 for an internship in a textile export-house in Calcutta. Although I had read and informed myself a lot before coming it was an overwhelming experience when I arrived! I very quickly knew I would be happy here. Little did I know that I would not only fall in love with the textiles but with the man of my life! This is how few years down the line I am living in Calcutta with my husband, my beautiful 10month old daughter and a TIA PAKHI :) 

 

Why the name Tia Pakhi? How did it all begin?

Although in my first internship I was developing designs for computerized embroideries, it is on my personal time that I got the chance to discover more of the handcrafts and textiles techniques of embellishment. Kantha embroidery immediately attracted my eye for its simplicity yet great intricacy. I loved the texture it lends to the fabric and how it gives vibrancy to a simple design. I then got the chance to develop few samples of designs for my own portfolio with some artisan I had been introduced to. It was the first step in conceptualizing TIA PAKHI a brand of textiles dedicated to reviving and contemporizing Kantha embroidery. 

TIA PAKHI is the Bengali word for the green Parrots which used to fly around the region of Bengal. They're also disappearing slowly as many handcrafts. I liked this name for its easy pronunciation in many languages and the parrot of course represents the exotic and colourful aspect of my work. TIA PAKHI could sound like a designer's name if one doesn't know the language. In fact I occasionally receive emails addressed to me as "dear TIA PAKHI " :)

Where do you draw your inspirations for your designs? Tell us a bit about your collection.

I mainly draw inspiration from Nature, Architecture, vintage ethnic textiles. Colour is my great passion. I can spend hours selecting colours and looking for new combinations. 

I also love paintings and illustrations. Free hand colourful drawings from various illustrators and painters. An organic and free style which makes designs so lively. 

My latest collection is inspired by lush tropical foliages intermingling and intertwined with some accent pieces such as Toucans or butterflies, adding some movement and liveliness to this green setting. 

 

How would you describe your design style and do you have a signature touch with your designs?

My design style is firstly very colourful! I choose specifically minimalist designs in order to enhance the handwork and the colour combinations. I feel that these are the key points of my work. I love bold and rounded designs in large sizes with colour blocking and a hint of humour. 

 

What is your big dream for Tia Pakhi?

My big dream for TIA PAKHI would be to open a store in Paris. I would like more people from that side of the world to know about the beautiful handwork done here in India yet with a style they can easily apply to contemporary setting. 

What décor tips would you like to give my readers?

My decor tip would be: not to follow any rules but create the ambiance that you love. I feel it is mostly the care and personality that one puts in his home which makes the difference which makes it inviting. I am a fan of very eclectic homes with a mix and match of different styles and objects from different periods and places.

 

Thanks Anais for sharing your passion and journey with us!!

If you get to Calcutta, please make sure you visit her boutique. From what I gather she has tastefully decorated her store and I hope I get to visit her boutique one day!! Click here to browse through her website or here to visit her Facebook page.


Images via Tia Pakhi


 

Pintér Ferencné’s Decoupage & Quilling

Decoupage and Quilling, both are an art based with paper that dates back hundreds of years and amazingly this art still appeals to many. Decoupage is an art of redecorating an object with paper cut-outs glued, combined with paints and a coat of varnish. And Quilling is an art of coiling, shaping, gluing together narrow strips of paper to create an object. Today I’d like to feature Pintér Ferencné, based in Hungary, who has always been inspired by decoupage and quilling. With no formal training she creates beautiful designs and I find them exquisite and a class apart.

Have a look her creations and tell me what you think

 

 

 

 

 

 

Click here to view her facebook page and if you wish to customize or buy any of her creations, you can write to her at pinterzsu58@gmail.com

Images via Pinter Ferencné

 

 

Crafty in Oman

I am always fascinated by what people can make by hand even though it can take so much time and patience and I believe it’s a natural gift. Crafty in Oman, a fun and creative group who have a love for all things handmade hosted a successful craft fair yesterday that was held at the lawns of Mumtaz Mahal, Muscat, that showcased different crafts. There were beautiful crochet creations, paintings, photographs, jewelry, baby accessories and dresses, paper crafts, gift tags and baked confectionaries.  I loved browsing and admiring each craft and observing the thrill of the crafters selling their craft at the fair and of course I was equally thrilled with the things I bought! Dahlia Riyami, Mayya Al Said and Tanya Lerdkasem are the hardworking organizers who brought the crafting community in Oman together and for the well run event for DIY-ers. Looking forward to many more!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you are passionate about crafts and based in Muscat then please click here to join Crafty in Oman.

Images are all clicked by me


 

JewelBox

Shimmy Radhakrishnan, based here in Oman, was introduced to jewelry making by her friend and eventually starting making beautiful pieces using different mediums and materials led to her dream venture called JewelBox. When I met her in person, I realized how artistic she is with her designs emphasizing colour and texture, handcrafted and specializing in ethnic designs.

Here is what Shimmy had to say regarding her passion

When did you get started with JewelBox?

JewelBox was born on July 15 2012

What inspired you to start this? Did you take any formal training to start this venture?

After years of corporate work I decided to take a break and enjoyed taking care of the family but I had some extra time in hand which I wanted to utilize. I wanted to do something which will make me happy. It was around the same time a friend of mine had started doing jewelry. I really loved the idea and joined for a 3 hour course on jewelry making as I always had a passion for fashion accessories:) It was so addictive that I could never stop doing it and that led to the birth of JewelBox!!

Do you provide any jewelry making classes?

As of now, I am not providing any classes.

Are most of your jewelry pieces unique?

Majority of the pieces in JewelBox are unique but there are a few which are replicated based on request and I take customized orders as well.

Do you have a physical or virtual store? How do you market or sell your creations?

I have a virtual store and it’s through my Face book page :) I do most of the marketing through that and also planning to have one on Etsy soon. And I participate in exhibitions and events where I showcase my jewelry.
 

 

 

Click here to visit her Facebook page and view all her designs and if you wish to get in touch please write to shimmyrk@gmail.com

Images via JewelBox

 

 

The Indian Sparrow

Sonali, a fashion designer by profession with her international experience with Ralph Lauren and working as a merchandiser and head of embroidery design with designer Azeem Khan, began her own venture called The Indian Sparrow. TheIndian Sparrow based in Pune, has a wide product range like hand-looms, lacquer ware, handcrafted leather, hand-spun and hand-woven scarves and stoles and earthen ware. Sonali openly shares with us on how this venture turned out to be a living testimony of God’s Love.

Here is what Sonali had to share.... over to you Sonali...

“It began out of a broken life! Had a break for quite sometime... Well life threw a few curve balls at me....where I was just trying to find myself! But God has been faithful… God has truly raised me and strengthened me through His grace and love and blessed me with the desires of my heart...and thats The Indian Sparrow...a living testimony of His love.

I launched The Indian Sparrow in October 2012.... Right from planning to participate in Kitsch Mandi, a flea market, that happened for the first time in Pune....to the sourcing, the label design, the printed labels....in 2 and a half weeks time....was all ready by 28th Oct, the day of the exhibition! Since then I began exploring my little space in this whole Fashion drama! My heart has always cherished the stories that hands create...be it hand-looms or embroidery or any other path...

My inspiration....indeed my homeland...Untamed India...who has shaped up her heritage over the ages...and whose stories we still hear, embrace and thrive on :)... The Indian Sparrow was just dropped in my spirit by God...a name perfect for the unassuming handcrafted stories of India...with an eternal sky to explore… “

 Have a look at the products she offers

 

Click here to view her Face book page for updates and if you have any enquiries you can email Sonali at theindiansparrow@gmail.com

Images via TheIndian Sparrow