tangled threads: Kolkata and Sasha

tangled threads: Kolkata and Sasha: "22nd July 2010 Woke at 5.30 to be taken to the recycled sari market at 6am by Bipol who works at Sasha. – what a sight to behold. Colo..."

How To: Block Print Fabric with a Wood Block Stamp (Wood Print Block) like a Traditional Indian Artisan

Part 1: How to Block Print Fabric

How To Use A Wood Block Stamp Video - Clip

Our wood block stamp re-stock has arrived from India, and we're opening the floodgates. A "How to Use a Wood Block Stamp" tutorial went out with our August newsletter - if you missed out and would like a copy, simply sign up here. To whet your appetite, here's a (very) short video demonstration.

How To Use A Wood Block Stamp Clip from A Trade For A Trade on Vimeo.

"How to Use a Wood Block Stamp" Sneak Peak

In August we will be re-stocking our collection of wood block stamps with the most popular (and now sold out) designs. If you'd like to receive a "first dibs" email, please sign up for our newsletter here.

As an added bonus, a "How to Use A Wood Block Stamp" tutorial will be included in the August e-newsletter. Look for it around the middle of the month, and make sure to have your artsy hat on hand - it's going to get crafty around here.

Without giving away any Top Secret Information, it's fair to say the tutorial will include a supply list, lots of photos, and the top three hand block printing mistakes. For now, feast your eyes on this sneak peek:

Design*Sponge Features Wood Block Stamps

I had no idea that Grace over at Design*Sponge had previous experience with wood block stamps, but it makes me ever so glad I sent her a link to our new collection. These babies come from an amazing organization in India specializing in the revival of traditional hand block printing.

If you've never tried block printing, take up Grace's call to action today and get yourself a stamp and some plain fabric. I doubt any of us will ever be good enough to do this or this, but I guarantee you'll have new respect for hand printed textiles in general. Who knows, it might even inspire you to hop that plane to "India, India."

Thanks, Grace for the shout-out.

Recycled Plastic Tray - only one in stock!

We have only one Recycled Plastic Tray left in stock! These trays migrated across the world from Nepal and each sale supports medical services and job training for rural women. After collecting plastic garbage (including chip bags, drink boxes, and cooke wrappers) women clean the plastic and slice it into strips. By winding these strips around native grasses called saru, artisans are able to bend these strips into a variety of products. The strips are then tied together with colored twine, making the trays highly durable. No two look exactly alike.

Craftmark - Handmade in India

Craftmark - Handmade in India is just one arm of AIACA (All Indian Artisans and Craftworkers Welfare Association). In addition to certifying traditional craft processes - from hand block printed fabric to basket weaving to recycled rubber products - Craftmark does their best to promote authentic handmade Indian goods. We're very excited to carry a few Craftmark products, and we hope to carry many, many more in the future.

From top right: hand block-printed fabric, recycled rubber bowl,
handwoven eco-friendly baskets, Gujarati Mirrored Wool ScarfBlack Stone Pottery (Longpi) from Manipur

Black Stone Pottery (also called Longpi Pottery) is made only in the state of Manipur using a black rock and a special type of clay called Lisha. Potters mix the stone and clay at a ration of 3:2. Unlike traditional pottery, these Black Stone pieces are all shaped by hand. Potters use bamboo molds to create the unique shapes - you should see some of the teapots!

Wood Block Stamps from India

Hand block printing begins with woodcarvers creating stamps by carving into high-quality teak blocks. Each stamp takes between 2 to 5 days to carve, and carvers must create a separate block for each color used. Master hand block printers estimate that a single stamp will last for 1500 meters of fabric. Stamps can be used to print textiles, stationery, walls, pottery, and clothing, among other things. They also make great decorative pieces of art. We source many of our wood block stamps from Craftmark-certified artisans and organizations.