Roads Well Traveled

Wanderlust, travel, roads, bazaar, unique finds, indigenous crafts, beautiful objects, preservation of craft traditions - all these descriptive phrases, make a recurrent appearance on my blog. And anytime that I find another person, a group, a store, or a project sharing my passion for above, I can not wait to share my delight with you. RoadsWellTraveled, conceptualized and run by Minu Chawla and Sebastin Sager, is one such store that offers not just hand picked products, but also invites you to explore and discover little nooks and corners of the world. An online destination for the nomadic-at-heart connoisseur of world culture, artefacts and objects, RoadsWellTraveled takes pride not just in it's curated collection but also in the mission of doing its bit to preserve dying art and craft in different parts of the world.

Another interesting aspect of of RoadsWellTraveled is their emphasis on art and not just the artisan. As Minu described in her email to me:

"There are enough NGOs and fair-trade organizations trying to provide the artisans with a sustainable livelihood. However not enough encourage them to do so by practicing the craft that they learnt from the forefathers. In the quest of making more functional, more marketable products, the original art/craft practice is rapidly dying. Through RoadsWellTraveled, we hope to honour the artisan traditions in their truest forms."

The Museum is an integral and growing section of RoadsWellTraveled website, and this is the place where Minu and Sebastin document the history, tradition and stories behind the crafts they curate. The aim is to build awareness and preserve that what is original.

 

Both Minu and Sebastin come from a corporate background, and they gave up their jobs to follow their heart. Combining their love for travel, indigenous crafts and entrepreneurship, they founded RoadsWellTraveled in Berlin, a city that's home to both of them.   

Step into the world of RoadsWellTraveled, and shop the bazaars Mesoamerica, Indus, Kalinga and Ceylon. They have exciting travel plans, and I can't wait to see what new treasures they find in the bylanes of the world.

Connect with RoadsWellTraveled on facebook and get inspired by their beautiful boards on Pinterest.

[All images: RoadsWellTraveled. Creative Storyboarding: An Indian Summer]

All that is beautiful and original

With Craftisan

When I first saw Craftisan, I was drawn in by their collection of beautiful textiles and crafts from different regions of India. I was happy to see that they are not only bringing one-of-its kind products from established craft NGOs like Dastkari Haat Samiti, The Rehwa Society, Kilmora to name a few, but also helping eliminate the middleman, and providing a platform for e-commerce to the craftspeople directly. Hearing the team behind Craftisan talk about their passion and the vision with which they have started this online venture, I knew that I had to share Craftisan with you! 

Craftisan recognizes and celebrates the existential philosophy behind crafts. It acknowledges the need for beauty and creativity that urges human society to create, and also recognizes the value of the act of creating craft as an utilitarian task, that reflects the way and means of a particular region, society or a certain social environment. Craft is utility, decoration, ornamentation, meditation and aesthetics all rolled into a single product. 

Craftisan aims to offer an ethical architecture for India's creative manufacturing sector and be a curated art and craft collective for connoisseurs of original, hand crafted products. Replicating a traditional 'haat' (marketplace) online, Craftisan will bring to us handpicked products straight from individual craftspeople, various craft clusters and also craft ngos. Having a positive impact on the livelihoods of craft communities, as well as supporting preservation and promotion of dying crafts are Craftisan's driving values. 

 

Apart from the lovely products on show on Craftisan's site, do not miss the specially commissioned and curated exhibition and sale by Dastkari Haat Samiti, called Akshara. Akshara (crafting Indian scripts) encompasses the attempt to combine literacy, artistic sensibilities and marketable museum quality crafts so that the craftspeople value education as a necessary part for their economic and social uplift. The initiative has produced some beautiful works of art - on textiles, pottery, wood, paper and metal. Craftisan plans to bring more such specially created collections in the coming months.

Buy from Craftisan right here. Register on the site and instantly get credit worth INR 1000/$20!
Remain updated with their latest offerings by connecting on facebook.

  Happy Shopping, folks!
Have a great weekend
I'll see you all next week!

[All images: Craftisan. Creative Storyboarding: An Indian Summer]

Deepak and Aparna's..

There are times when you merrily skip work (aka don't blog) because there is such a holiday spirit around you and you are totally in the mood for taking a vacation. You come across pretty things and you bookmark them, for you want to share them with your favorite people, but umm...not today, maybe later. You think you'll cuddle into that warm throw with your favorite book, just one more day. And then, on one of these lazy days, you get an email, full of such treasures, that your heart skips a beat. You get very excited. You throw that throw off and open that laptop promptly. For you gotta share this exciting new indie store on the block! So my dear readers, here I am, back after a weeks' hiatus, with Phantom Hands! 

Deepak's love for history and mythology, and Aparna's innate interest and skill in art, is what propelled the couple to start Phantom Hands, the online store of carefully selected, unusual to rare antique furniture, collectibles and decor objects. The name Phantom Hands is a metaphor for all the unknown artisans who have contributed to the perfection of each object and artifact, which truly are a culmination of centuries of craftsmanship and skills, passed on from generation to generation.

I love the range of antiquities and curiosities that Deepak and Aparna have collected. From exceptionally well crafted furniture pieces to beautiful figurines, metal masks, old books to vintage flasks and bottles - and everything available at the click of a mouse!

Here's what Deepak and Aparna have to say when it comes to their aesthetic and curation process:

"Phantom Hands evolved out of our personal interest in antiques and curious vintage objects. When we are in the presence of a beautiful antique of vintage collectible, the craftsmanship, pride and attention to detail become obvious - and a certain kind of real energy fills the space around it. To us that's a very palpable feeling. We also feel a subconcious comfort around old/used things.

This is not to say that we genuinely like all antique objects. We like an aesthetic that is less ornate and where the simplicity, lines and proportions and logic of construction stand out. What is really interesting to us is that many antiques have this simplicity and minimalism, qualities that are not usually associated with antiques. Therefore the antiques we offer fit in with our contemporary lives without having an air of oldness or anachronism in its look and feel.

Then there are the fascinating stories associated with these objects. These objects take on a new meaning when you learn about their origins or about people who used them. Antiques hold a part of history, which is largely undocumented and undervalued. We like the idea that the homes of each of these objects become custodians of this history.

At the end of the day, we don't have a checklist to seek out things we like. We just pick what we connect with and then later rationalize why we like it."

What you find in Phantom Hands has been, over the years, sourced from collectors, dealers and antique experts. The couple also travel and hunt for treasures, and often find beautiful objects in the unlikeliest of places - an old printing press, a precision machining factory or through the grapevine. They then go through the process of determining authenticity and provenance from experts and proceed with careful restoration if needed.

Shop for the many treasures at Phantom Hand right here. Each object is well photographed and details of its antecedents listed out. Phantom Hands also takes great care in packing and shipping each item, which takes care of a big concern when shopping for collectibles. I shared my favorites with you in the post; tell me what you like the most!

[All images: Phantom Hands. Creative Story boarding: An Indian Summer]


I'll surface once again later this week, to share with you some very creative folks and wonderful new stores, before I don on my holiday cap and wine & dine the last week of the year away :).
See you then, folks!

When Fishes Fly

They are called Flying Fish!

Excuse the inane joke, but it's friday today!

And I am not only Friday evening happy

But also glitter and all-things-shiny happy

Gorgeous jewels

From Nitika Bose

And

One lovely pair of earrings to giveaway!

Flying Fish is Nitika Bose's world of whimsical and exquisite jewels, designed for the contemporary woman, and handcrafted by skilled craftsmen. I love the attention to detail in each of her beautifully designed unique pieces. Crafted in sterling silver and gold plated with 18k or 24k gold, I can see myself wearing these jewels with both traditional Indian dresses and western outfit. It's just a question of how to pick and choose from among the many many lovely designs!

~ The GiveAway ~

Nitika would love to giveaway this exquisite pair of silver earrings to one lucky An Indian Summer reader, from anywhere in the world! That's right - all readers of An Indian Summer are invited to participate!

All you need to do to enter:

1. Click right here, and leave a comment. In the comment, use the words Flying and Fish. Tell us a story around the words, or a song, or a poem, a haiku, a joke - anything! Make sure you are logged into facebook to leave the comment.

2. To double your chances, you can leave another comment on the post on Flying Fish's facebook page too!

3. And, if you are feeling specially creative, leave a third comment on this post

4. That's it. Winner will be announced next friday -  Nov 22nd, on facebook.

What a happy Friday!

Right? :)

[All Images: Flying Fish. Creative Storyboarding: An Indian Summer]

Gaatha, a tale.

Gaatha, a sanskrit word meaning 'a great story' or 'a legend', is an initiative launched in 2009 by group of students and alumni at National Institute of Design [NID]. What started as a project to research and document the unfortunate erosion of Indian crafts clusters and heritage, has now evolved into a online repository of stories, folklore and myths associated with these crafts and their creators. Gatha has also launched an online store, aimed at helping these craftsmen reach a wider market and earn sustenance. 

Gaatha's blog is a lovely read, where the reader not only gets to know how each of these beautiful products is created, but we also get to 'meet' the skilled women and men behind the various crafts. 

Beautifully photographed, the products are a visual delight! Gaatha's online store is filled with handcrafted unique pieces for personal use and for home.

Visit Gaatha's online shop here, and immerse yourself in the enriching tales of craft, right here.

How have you been, my dear readers?

I am back after a break for Diwali and post Diwali recuperation

See you this friday, with a lovely giveaway!

[All images: Gaatha. Creative Storyboarding: An Indian Summer]

With Love, From Central Asia

Ah! It's Sunday today. And unlike other Sundays, I am up and about and oh-my-god, also doing a post! But I had to people, I had to. For my favorite one stop shop to sigh over, the place where I point at exquisite things and say look! has a sale! Exotic art, rugs, jewelry, furniture, cushions & pillows from Nisha Misra's lovely treasure trunk - Arastan, are on sale, and not only are they available at Arastan's retail shop in Bangalore, India, they are also available via their online shop! And the good news doesn't end here. Arastan ships world wide! 

Take a look at my favorite picks from the sale. Though do hurry - some of these beautiful products are exclusive and available only one a piece. Click here to quickly grab what catches your fancy.

The sale is on from Sept 8th till 22nd

Find:

Arastan online

Arastan on facebook

And

Arastan's retail outlet

 Happy Shopping! 

What a beautiful way to start a Sunday :)

[Images: Arastan. Creative storyboarding: An Indian Summer]

Me Luv Kush

And you?

Read on, and I am sure you will too!

Three working moms got together and launched their creative baby venture, MeLuvKush, to bring to the world the comfort and beauty of the traditional baby bassinet from India. Named 'Godee' (meaning lap), the idea came to them when their moms hand-stitched plush blankets for their childen, called 'godhri' in India. The three friends then redesigned the godhri, combining modern elements, yet keeping it's traditional use. With motifs designed in-house, godee is hand made by women in Jaipur. Godee allows the baby to be held in a comfortable and snug environment, and is a safe, germ free way to pass along the baby to family and friends who would like to hold the little bundle!

~ GiveAway ~

MeLuvKush would like to giveaway a godee, to an An Indian Summer reader, who stays in the US or Canada, or has a shipping address in US or Canada! So if you are a new mom or dad, or are looking for a thoughtful and interesting gift, make sure you look through their range here, and enter the giveaway!

How to enter:

1. Browse through the pretty colors available for godee right here

2. Let us know which is your favorite by leaving a comment on facebook, and on this post. Do like MeLuvKush on facebook to increase your entry count

3. And, that's about it! The winner of the giveaway will be announced on Sept 13th (Friday). 

Have a beautiful weekend, folks! 

Oh, and watch this space on Sunday

A special announcement coming up!

[Images: MeLuvKush. Creative story boarding: An Indian Summer]

Such bright colors, I say!

And a giveaway!

It must be September on An Indian Summer!

Vidushi had always loved art and design and kind of knew, right from school that she would end up doing it for a living. Born and raised in New Delhi, she graduated in BFA in Communication Design from the Parsons School of Design and worked in New York during her formative years. After returning to India, Vidushi created and started the metallic world of élan. Vidushi is passionate about the tactile, the messy, and the raw – designs and colors that transcend the mundane and bring joy to your everyday life.

élan creates refreshingly happy moments with style and panache. The vivid colors and delightful patterns is the first thing that catches your eye, and the very well-crafted objects in metal, bring an instant smile on your face. élan’s lifestyle products range from trays, stools, napkin rings, lanterns, buckets, boxes, gardening tools, bird homes…and the list goes on! Each piece is lovingly crafted by hand.

 

~ Give Away ~

Here's your chance to bring these lovelies into your home this week. You can shop right here, AND, enter this giveaway to win a voucher of INR 2500 to make your purchases!

How to enter:

1. Browse through all the happy products available on élan

2. Leave the name/link of your favorite product right here, on facebook. Leave the comment on this post too, to double your chances

3. And, that's it! Winner shall be announced on Friday - September 6th. Don't forget to check here to see if you are the lucky birdie to have won the voucher!

All the best, folks!

Coming up: Another post soon! I can not stay away from you for long...site redesign can go fish! 

Psst: Side Redesign - don't go and fish! it was a joke. said in jest. come back! 

Sigh.

  

Tales of Textiles

From Walter G

Walter G

Is the story of

Two friends

With

The love for travel and the exotic  

And

The love for color and textiles

Sharing 

Their adventures,

The sumptuous treasures collected

And

Beautiful inspiration 

To bring in a blast of color, in our everyday lives

 

Lauren and Genevieve

And their lovely store

Walter G

Just for you

[All images: Walter G. Creative storyboarding: An Indian Summer]

Happy long weekend to folks in India!

 

I am off again on a road trip

To take in the retreating monsoonal showers

 

You be good, my dear readers

I'll see you next week 

Bright and chirpy

To say hello to

All things beautiful! :)