Clay + hardwork + inspiration + talent

These images are for all the clay lovers like me. I always feel some kind of calmness when I touch clay…does anyone out there feels the same? It feels wonderful to touch something so true, so natural. Early humans discovered the useful properties of clay in prehistoric times, and one of the earliest artifacts ever uncovered is a drinking vessel made of sun-dried clay. And till today human hands continue to mould its form, texture and shape till it emerges into such beautiful objects.

Images from Diana Fayt website

These beautiful handmade clay artworks (prefer to call them that instead of objects) are by Diana Fayt who has been selling her work professionally for 13 years. Yes, they are lovely and pricey…I can only dream about owning them. But check out Diana’s blog http://oneblackbird.blogspot.com/ where she explains about the “Sticker shock” reaction that most people suffer on seeing the price tag. She talks about why her work is expensive. Now having taken a hobby course in pottery and making lots of useless, shapeless “objects” and only 1 tiny useful bowl (my “artwork”) I simply have to agree with her. Pottery is a lot of backbreaking work just for one object to emerge successfully. And then to turn them into works of art with such fine detailing...it requires immense amounts of hard work, inspiration and patience.

I don’t know when I will get back to messing with clay but as of now let me just drool on these beautiful artworks :-)

Treasure hunting on Etsy

Today’s post is an exception. Neither the product nor the designer is Asian but I just couldn’t resist writing about them and showing off the gorgeous products.
"Contrary" is a shop I found on Etsy started by Mary Andrews, a Brooklyn, USA based fine artist. She makes handcrafted jewellary and is a very successful seller on Etsy. I love her quirky and funky sense of design. Check out the small boots earrings…so perfect for a baby shower. You can also check out her blog www.contrarygarden.typepad.com

Images from http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=1751&order=§ion_id=&page=1

The Royal Touch

Tents were always a part of the royal Indian families. And wherever the royal members camped, overnight a barren piece of land would be completely transformed. with these royal, luxurious tents into temporary royal residences.
Images from Raj Tents, Maharaja Tents, Sangeeta tents

Imagine recreating this royal splendor for a wedding. These marquees are increasingly becoming sophisticated and beautiful with a whole range of beautiful fabrics, hand printed prints, colors and accessories to choose from. Whatever the occasion be it a religious traditional ceremony or hosting a party they add so much warmth and splendor to the occasion. So a traditional wedding, a mystic elegance, an Asian inspired theme, a Bollywood bonanza or the maharaja effect. Whats your theme?

Gaga over Gagatree

Images from gagatree

Gagatree is the product line started by a team of graphic designers from Singapore. Very graphic, very Asian and very very trendy. Check out their greeting cards. Love the packaging of their cushion covers.

The Friendly Baskets

Bamboo, cane, rattan …This extremely environment friendly material is my favorite. Whether it’s furniture or its small storage boxes. And don’t you agree it looks very elegant and modern besides adding warmth to your room. I love to use small baskets and boxes around the house made from these dried grasses. I use these in my kitchen to store onions, to group bottles, in the living room to keep TV remotes, magazines.

I spotted these baskets at a local Thai craft Fair in Bangkok, Thailand. Thaicraft is a fair trade organization committed to help Thai artisans maintain their traditional art and craft. And what could be a better way of helping them by using their local artistry and cheap available materials. You can check their website www.thaicraft.org. You can find varieties of cane and bamboo accessories all over Thailand, Indonesia...you can say all over Southeast Asia.

Images from Thaicraft

Pint Sized Piccasso

These wonderful happy splashes of color are by Dhanat, a 4-year-old Thai artist. Check out his Etsy shop from Thailand http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=54608
These paintings by this talented child are so vibrant that they brightened my day. The colors flow so beautifully into each other…it’s a festival of colors. Check out his interesting profile written by his mother. He has even had a solo exhibition! Out of all my favorite painting is The Tomato Cucumber Salad :-)

The King of Weekend Markets

Images from personal collection

Throughout my blog I will keep referring to various weekend markets in Asia mainly Thailand and Indonesia. We will start with the undisputed king The Chatuchak Weekend Market in Bangkok, Thailand. It claims to be the worlds largest weekend market, just look at these facts. It covers an area of 35 acres, contains15,000 to 20,000 shops and stalls (nobody really knows how many), has over 200,000 visitors each day, and they spend an estimated total of 30 million baht (approx US$750,000). The range of products on sale is extensive, and includes household accessories, ceramics, furniture, handicrafts, religious artifacts, art, antiques, live animals, books, music, clothes, trendy fashion, shoes, jewellary, food, plants and flowers…hmn think of 15000 stalls!! It’s a good place to search for local crafts. I have lived I in Bangkok for a year and a half but I cannot say I have seen all of it. Think of anything and you have got it there. You want to decorate your house, buy plants, take your guests for a real Thai experience, and want to buy gifts for friend’s back home, head towards chatuchak. And mind you its not one of those comfortable stroll while looking at great things to shop for. An early start at around 8 is highly recommended as after noon there is hardly any space to move. It’s got great local designer as well as export quality stuff to buy. But the most enjoyable is the Thai experience. Food being sold on streets, small vendors displaying and shouting their wares or making odd sounds, as it is typical in Asia. Bargain hard…this place puts your bargaining skills to test. Mingle around and if you like it….then trust me that’s just the beginning of your love affair with Thailand.