Category: traditional crafts
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Kalamkari Travels Between Worlds
This article was originally published as part of the AAJA Voices program. It can be read here. In a bright Brooklyn apartment, young professionals gather around a large wooden table, learning to work with natural dyes and the bamboo pens traditionally used in making kalamkari, an ancient artform from rural Andhra Pradesh in southeastern India. Artisans…
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Traditional Japanese Marbling Techniques Create Dreamy Wallcoverings
Natascha Maksimovic wants to bring people closer to nature. Using centuries-old techniques, the Margate, England–based artist, also known as Nat Maks, paints expansive marbled landscapes that immerse the viewer in mesmerizing organic motifs. “In a time when digital tools and AI are reshaping our lives, I feel it’s more important than ever to hold on to…
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Province of Fars, Iran’s Celebrated Handicrafts Center
The southern Iranian province of Fars, with its rich history, diverse climate, and vibrant tribal and rural population, stands as one of Iran’s most celebrated centers of handicrafts. Arts such as carpet weaving, kilim and jajim weaving, miniature painting, marquetry (khatamkari), woodcarving, pottery, basketry, and ceramics have deep roots in different parts of this province. These…
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Lantern Festivals Worth Crossing the World to See
Known for their breathtaking illuminated displays, lantern festivals serve as celebrations of community, good luck, and new beginnings. Although particularly common in Asia — especially during New Year’s celebrations — lantern festivals occur worldwide. These scenic and often lively events usually feature live performances, tasty eats, and local artisans. The lanterns are often handmade, culturally…
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Former Timber Merchant Revives Ancient Art
In Jianghan district of Wuhan, Hubei province, Wu Youquan, an inheritor of the intangible cultural heritage of traditional guqin making, has spent over two decades transforming himself from a timber merchant into a master luthier, a maker of stringed instruments. Born in 1972 in Tuanfeng, Hubei, the craftsman has adhered to the philosophy of “approaching…
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Isle of Wight Autumn Hedgelaying Event
This sounds like fun – and it’s free! A countryside tradition will take centre stage at an event this autumn. The Isle of Wight Steam Railway at Havenstreet will host the Autumn Isle of Wight Hedgelaying competition on November 8, with the first event taking place earlier this year. Thomas Cowley, trustee of event organiser…
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Tasting With the Eyes
The artificial display foods known as shokuhin sampuru that fill restaurant windows across Japan represent a fascinating innovation with nearly a century of history, showing how a uniquely Japanese craft evolved into an entire industry and pioneered a revolutionary form of visual communication. Sampuru first originated in the 1920s, when rapid modernization in Japan drew masses of rural…
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Some of the Most Expensive Products in the World
From silk kimonos and South Sea pearls to handmade globes and Moroccan rugs, Business Insider traveled the globe to uncover the stories behind some of the world’s most valuable handcrafted items.
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Xo Dang Artisan Crafts Traditional Instruments From the Forest
Vietnamnet global features A Huyen, who from a young age was immersed in the sounds of traditional instruments and learned, not only, to play them, but craft them. Although he graduated from university, A Huyen, an ethnic Xo Dang man from Village 3 in Dak To commune, Quang Ngai province, chose a different path: to…
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Traditional African Craft Markets
NewsBytes gives us a primer on the best traditional craft markets in Africa. I Africa is dotted with diverse cultures, each with its own artistic expressions. If you’re a traveler looking for authentic souvenirs without spending a fortune, Africa’s craft markets are a treasure trove of budget-friendly finds. The markets are not just places to…
The Village Market 