Artisan Group Feature : Kishkinda Trust

Kishkinda Trust promotes banana-plant based handicrafts with women artisans of Anegundi, thus providing them with a means of livelihood. The natural fibre cottage industry was set up in 1999 and has been using locally available banana fibre extracted from the trunk of the banana plant, Shorba grass, river grass and other locally available fibres. It has been a livelihood means for its 205 women since it's inception. TKT emphasizes the utilization of eco friendly materials that are locally available. The banana fiber is utilized as raw material along with other natural fibers to produce wide-ranging products including bags, mats, quilts and decorative fringes. Over the years these products have secured clients from all over India and from abroad. These women artisans have formed a federation comprising of 15 villages. Regular training workshops are conducted in Design and Technical Development assisting them to upgrade their skills and build their capacity. 

Kishkinda products available at TGE...

Banana Fiber Baskets

Banana Fiber Floor Cushions

All of their hand-crafted products provide an independent income for village women. Apart from providing financial support, the federation has played a major role in empowering and transforming these shy women into confident individuals.

Artist/Artisan Feature : Pure Ghee Designs

I was just browsing through the list of our eco-friendly product producers and came across Aditi Prakash's work. Amongst all her beautiful work, this innovative squiggly twist given to the Sabai grass basket - the material we spoke about this morning caught my eye first. It's an amazing adaptation of the material that otherwise has been used more conventionally than artistically. I had to but share it with yall! 

Squiggly Sabai Grass 

Basket Close Up

Design Alternate

Aditi has established a research, design and production studio called Pure Ghee Designs that aims to deliver exceptional cultural content and celebrate the Indian design aesthetic. Here is a glimpse of some of her other colorful work. 

Bags made from different cloth types

Coin pouches made of Silk and scraps

 Colorful Mobile Cases

Charms made from scraps

Aditi was shortlisted for the YCE Awards this year by the British Council. She says modestly "Did not expect this! Especially because Pure Ghee Designs (the company) is less than a year old." Well, Aditi, you definitely seem very deserving! :) Loved your work!

Artisan Group Feature : Kadam

Happy Monday morning people!! ghrrrr... i heaaar youuuu :) well i've bought you some mid morning snack for thought for you to munch on... for the remaining four days we'l do some home accents in our 10 day countdown to Thanks Giving by thanking our artisans!

Today we're presenting Kadam - an NGO

This organisation aims at tackling the problems of uneducated youth migration to urban cities which lead to the problems of Urban Slums, unemployment, rampant violence and street children being a direct fall-out of this migration at the grass root level. The volunteers and professional try to create viable employment opportunities at the village level for the youth and work towards good education conditions for children. They train the artisans to make finished products using natural resources in order to create balance in the environment using technology for the overall economic development. The ngo rolls the profits for the holistic development of the villages and artisans. Bio degradable products for everyday living is what the company is synonym with. 
Sabai grass and date palm leaves are abundant in Orissa and are used to make rope and plaits which are further converted into baskets or covering furniture.

Sabai Grass Products are available at TGE

Moon Basket

Round Basket with Lid

Sabai Oval Basket

Available in set of 3

Other interesting products made by the same organisation using natural Bark Wood

Cheese Platter, Shell Spoons & Fruit Fork