Handicrafts World News

Cultural exposure through handicraft
At the once-a-month craft market, one is confronted face to face with an array of tribal artistry. ALFREDO P HERNANDEZ writes.
The National, Papua New Guinea

BROWSING for the first time the handicraft items on offer at the Port Moresby craft market at Ela Beach is like seeing a lot of things I am very familiar with back home in Manila, but with some perks. Here, I get hands-on exposure to diverse cultures of Papua New Guinea, the “land of the unexpected and things to expect”.

The decorative woven baskets, the wood carvings and sculptures, the colourful coral reefs and shell craft, the woven thread sling bags called “bilum”, the pottery, the ready-to-wear “duster” or housedresses locally-called “meri-dres” (women’s dress), the brass art and more – all these were items that I would normally see whenever I rummaged through the stuff sold under the Quezon Bridge in Quiapo, Manila (more…)

India : Local body conducts flash raids over handicraft sales outlets in Kashmir
June 29, 2006/Fibre2fashion.com, India 

As the tourist season takes on full swing in Kashmir, the illegal trade of handicraft products also rapidly increases.

Recognizing this issue, the officers from handicraft department have joined with the local tourist police to inspect the dealings and watch-out for any malpractice that takes place regarding the Kashmiri handicrafts. (more…)

Website for artisans at jewel exhibition
NT Bureau/News Today, India
Chennai, June 28:

Fulfilling a long-pending demand of artisans, a website for Tamilnadu Handicraft Development Corporation Ltd (THDC) was launched by State Electricity Minister Arcot N Veerasamy today at the inauguration of Jewel Expo 2006 at the Poompuhar showroom.

The portal www.tamilnadu handicrafts.com would help increase the sales of handicraft products in both the domestic as well as abroad markets, thus finding the markets for the local artisans, said D Rajendran, chairman and managing director, THDC chairman at a press conference today. (more…)

Produce for international market - Lutfo
By Bongile Mavuso
The Swazi Observer, Swaziland

ENTERPRISE and Employment Minister Lutfo Dlamini has encouraged local handicrafters to produce items for international designer houses.
Speaking during a Handicraft Course graduation ceremony at the Swaziland Trading House (STH) on Friday, the minister said there were a number of business opportunities for local crafters.

Dlamini said the handicraft market was wide but the crafters had to change their mindset and think of business which would make them identify even the slightest opportunity.

He assured them that theirs was a profitable venture, further encouraging them to make a lot of money out of it now that the opportunity had presented itself. (more…)

Ba Na minority woman in Kon Tum develops art of brocade weaving
VietNamNet Bridge, Vietnam

A Ba Na ethnic minority woman, Y Thoai, has been rising as one of the most successful businesswomen in her birthplace of Kon Tum Township, in the Central Highlands province of the same name.

The 30-year-old woman who started her business from scratch six years ago is now managing the Tay Nguyen Brocade Weaving Co-operative that was established entirely through her efforts.

Twenty years ago, her mother, Y Chrut, was a province-wide famous brocade weaver in Quang Trung Ward’s Plei To Ngia Village who had a desire to not only maintain but also develop the village’s traditional handicraft (more…)

Brunei : Tekiding handicraft workshop in Bandar Seri
June 24, 2006/Fibre2fashion.com, India

‘Tekiding’ plaiting workshop has been organized in Bandar Seri Begawan at the Handicraft Centre where the participants will be taught to make traditional handicraft products like ‘tekiding’, an open basket as well as ‘tekiding lasuk’, conical basket chiefly used for gathering paddy.

There are various sorts of tekidings, with each one made for a specific use. (more…)

Ethnology museum begins handicraft classes
VietNamNet Bridge, Vietnam 

A number of children from Hanoi are enjoying a summer course on making products from fabric at the Viet Nam Museum of Ethnology.

The event, which began last Tuesday, is the second of its kind to be opened at the museum since last summer and is expected to be as successful as the last one.

The course is being held at the museum’s Discovery Room with teachers from the Fine Arts Department of the Hanoi Teachers’ College and the cadre from the Education Room at the museum. (more…)

Tamenglong villagers set up handicraft centre
KanglaOnline, India 

The Imphal Free Press
Tamenglong , June 22 : In an effort to improve their socio-economic condition, villagers in Manipur`s Tamenglong district have set up a handicraft centre, making the optimum use of abundantly available fine quality cane and bamboo.

Built by villagers, the handicraft centre has been under the supervision of Tamenglong Bamboo and Cane Development Centre (TAMBAC).

Since 2003, a group of 10 craftsmen in Tamenglong district regularly create some of the finest handicraft items made of bamboo and canes.

These people make many useful and decorative novelties made out of cane and bamboo. Among them baskets and mats are the most popular items in this category. (more…)