INDIVIDUAL CRAFT DESCRIPTION.

Handloom Weaving

The hand spun and handloom cloths worn by men, women, and children are one of the splendid expressions of life-style in Nepal. Though weaving today has grown into big business using power looms, many families in the valley's old towns and localities still weave traditional cloths in handlooms. In some rural areas, village women can be seen spinning and dyeing cotton, woolen yarns and others working on their handlooms.

Handloom fabrics in Nepal range from traditional pattern weaving of cotton to allo cloth woven from fibers of a plant belong to nettle family which have been boiled, beaten and spun. Traditional items made from these fabrics include caps, shawls, sacks, bags and clothing. Today new lines of ready to wear products have been developed to take advantage of the durability, versatility, and subtle colors of these fabrics.

a)       Dhaka Products :- One of the handloom fabrics, which is gaining more and more popularity among buyers, at present, is Dhaka shawl and cloths. Dhaka cloths is an intricate art in traditional hand weaving that has been preserved in Nepal and is valued for its artful handwork in natural fibers. This traditional pattern weaving is done on wood and bamboo treadle looms by Limbu and Rai women of eastern  hill area ( Tehrathum) of Nepal. The stripes of mercerized sewing cotton with their intricate colorful stranded cotton patterns are used in this weaving. Each weaving is unique at every change of shed. The weaver decides without chart or counting threads into which section of the warp she is going to lay the colors  which form the pattern .

(b) Pashmina Shawls: -Nepal is also known for its finely woven pashmina shawls. Pashmina shawl is an indigenous and unique product of Nepal. It is hand-made from the wool sheared off from mountain goats that are found in the mountainous regions . Most of the skins come from high altitudes of 9000 to 11000 feet above sea level. Depending on their preference skins are usually of four colors gray, white, black, and cream.

The wool next to the skin is cut out. This wool is carded to separate the rough outer part. The soft wool is then hand spun into thin and even pashmina yarn. This yarn is then hand woven into the loom, which has cotton, silk and pashmina warp.

While making these products the use of  hand spun pashmina wool yarn has  presently been  replaced  by imported fine machine spun yarn  . 

(c )  Natural fiber of  allo:- The natural fiber of allo comes from the bark of giant nettle Girardinia diversifolia and has been extracted for generations in the high mountain region. The allo plant occurs in most of the high mountain regions of Nepal ( Sankhuwasabha, Dhankuta, Rolpa, Rukum) at the altitude of 1200 and 3000 m, flourishing under the shade od mixeddeciduous forests. The seed are shed freely and begin to grow with the onset of Monsoon rains between April and June. Harvesting begins towards ends of August/September and continues until plants beging to flower around Dcember. Only mature thick stems are harvested; others left to seed. The stems are cut about 15 cm from the ground in ordewr to leave sufficient stem for new shoots to spread. After the cutting and stripping , bundles of about five stems are held at the butt end and an incision is made with the teeth in each steam in order to separate the outer bark and fiber layer from the inner stem.

The barks are either processed while still lush or dried and stored in bundles. The dried bark will be soaked in water before fibre extraction .The bark is processed by boiling for two to three hours , in water to which wood ash has been added .The exposed fibres are beaten or rubbed  between fingers and thumb to remove any remaining plant matter, and rinsed in water . The wet fibres are then coated with a white micaceous clay soil to lubricate the fibres and make their separation and spinning easier. The  dry bundles of all fibre are prepared for spinning by being shaken to remove surplus micaceous soil and then open out For spinning   women use a light weigh hand spindle . Alllo fibres are taken on most journeys and are spun  not only when resting but on even the most difficult walk. Allo is traditionally woven into cloth in a open back strap loom. Presently wooden looms are used to weave cloth , placemat and table runners . Allo thread  also is   knitted into vests, shawls ,nets. Variety of new products ranging from bags, cushions covers, wallet,  and clothing  with natural dyes are being produced and liked by many buyers at present.

Hand Made Paper Products

Nepalese craftsmen have been producing handmade paper for a thousand years. The people of Nepal use natural paper in their daily life for writing valuable legal documents, for making sacred or popular masks, for kites etc. The monks of Tibet have always used it for their manuscripts and for printing sacred texts. This paper is renowned for its exceptional durability and for its lively and special texture.

A millennium has passed since the Tibetans introduced the still earlier Chinese technology of paper making to Nepal. The bark from Daphne cannabina or Daphne Papyracea " Lokta" in the local language, is the raw material used. It is gathered at high altitudes in a way that preserves the fragile ecology of Nepalese forests. Then, it is carried to villages two or three days walk down to the mountains, where the paper-makers clean and boil the bark. Beating with wooden mallets produces a pulp which is poured into wooden frames, sun dried sheets are transported to paper factories where they are dyed, stenciled, printed and transformed in to attractive products by craftsmen. Today products like greeting cards, stationary sets, notebooks, gift wrapping paper, bags, envelopes, photo frames etc. are made that reflect the tradition of ancient and original Nepalese culture.

woolen products

With a wide variety of wool bearing animals available in Nepal,             woolen items have traditionally played an important part in every day             life. Today high quality sheep wool and agora wool from Nepal and imported wool from New Zealand are used to create beautiful knitwear sweaters, jackets, hats, and caps, gloves and mittens. Designs are based on both traditional Nepalese and classic western motifs and are available in a beautiful range of fashionable colors

Metal Craft

The metal craft products include metal images of popular motifs of Hinduism and Buddhism  and utilitarian utensils. These products are mostly produced by  household units clustered around the city of              Lalitpur (Patan). In Nepal, making metal images is a very old art. These are produced  with the lost wax method of casting. This method of casting is done by preparing a wax model, covering it with varieties of clay,  heating the piece so that the wax is melted , extract the liquid wax so that cavity is created , pouring metal into the cavity , cool it and the original model is translated into the metal image. The metal image out of the casting is very rough.

Rough image is then made smooth, chiseling is done to bring precision. This complicated job requires an artist's conception, proper technology, an engineer's perfection and the skillful hands of a craftsman. The art and skill is transferred hereditary and artisans follow the age-old designs and production technology.

Today items like paper knife ,spoon and forks with traditional designs ,bagh chal games also added to the range.

Filgree Products

Delicate brass wires are intricately wound while making filgree products and they are given a gold or silver coating to enhance its beauty.

The filigree work originated with the coral and turquoise stone being used along with intricate filigree wirework on jewelry. Gradually, this work was introduced in pillboxes or larger cases to hold different articles and other decorative items like birds and animals. Finally, this art form has recently been adapted into making of very fine and delicate Christmas tree ornaments .

 Wood carving

The high quality wood carving craftsmanship of Kathmandu valley, are reflected in various articles like windows, doors, mythological figures, chests, boxes, figures of gods and goddesses, animals and birds. The art of woodcarving has been in existences since the middle ages as evident from artistic wood works found in various old temples, palaces and houses in  and around  Kathmandu valley. Once the art slowly started dying out which saw the resurgence since 1960. Woodcarvings were bought by tourists visiting Nepal as decorative piece. The opening of New    hotels and construction of new  houses also created demand for artistic woodcarvings.  Most of the wood carving work is done in three cities of  Kathmandu valley. Production is widely spread among  individuals and households.  

Today carvings have been scaled down to include such items as picture frames, mirror frames, small boxes, animals, buttons, decorative wall hangings .

 Painting

Paintings in Nepal began in 11^th century A.D. when Buddhists and Hindus began to make illustration of the deities and natural scenes. Historically, Tibetan and Chinese influence in Nepalese paintings is quite evident in Paubhas (Thankas). Paubhas are of two types, the Palas which are illustrative paintings of the deities and the Mandala, which are mystic diagrams paintings of complex test prescribed patterns of circles and square each having specific significance.

 Thangka is a Tibetan painting depicting various facts of Buddhism of mystic sect. They are painted on silk or cotton fabrics using bright             colors of many hues. Thankas are used as wall -decorations. For,     Lamas they are objects of religious importance.

Thankas have developed in the northern Himalayan regions among the Lamas. Besides Lamas, Gurung and Tamang communities are also producing Thankas,  which provide substantial employment opportunities for many people in the hills. Some of the artistic religious and historical paintings are also done by the Newars of Kathmandu Valley.

Mithila Paintings

In certain villages of southern Nepal ( Janakpur) it has been tradition for women to paint lively designs on walls for their homes, the designs varying with the occasions. Now artists are creating on handmade Nepalese paper and using poster and fabric colors vibrant adaptations of the same designs found on village walls. Images include elephants peacocks , symbols of prosperity and good fortunes, wedding scenes and gods to bless the new couple and parrots, bamboo , turtles and fish all symbols of happy union and fertility. Besides paintings, today the products includes mirrors, ceramics, table cloths and bed sheets and T-shirts all with beautiful Mithila arts.

Terra-cotta / Ceramics

In Nepal , building and modeling in terra cotta goes back to 2600   years and still continues to this day. Terra-cotta temples displaying superbly carved with lively motifs of sculptures were built between 14^th and 18^th centuries. Locally known  as "kumhale" , one of several occupational castes of Nepal , Nepalese potters  move the earth to produce a range of quality ceramics products. Earthenware statues, water and storage jars, and flower pots are traditional products. Today, producers have added interesting glazes ,all lead free, and an expanding product line of terracotta into useful and decorative items like glass, cup plate, tea pot, flower vase, serving bowl, soup bowls etc.

Paper mache masks, puppets and dolls

Colorful paper mache masks, depicting various Gods & mythical demons make unique decoration  and are available in many sizes. Puppets made of wood and clay with paper mache masks come colorfully and ethnically dressed and are a popular export items. Some dolls made from  cloth and  corn husk depicting various occupational and tribal ethnic groups represent  the culture of Nepal.            

Basketry and novelty weaving

Baskets, as in many other cultures, play an important part in every day life in Nepal. They come in a variety of shapes, sizes , and colors; have many uses; and are made from materials ranging from split cane to rice straw to bamboo to pine needles. For example the "Dalo" was originally used in the temple, for straining rice bear, for storing grains, and holding fruits. Adapted for use today, it is both decorative and useful. Vases, coasters, purses, trays, storage containers, and serving baskets are just a few of many available products. Whether you choose a traditional basket woven according to time honored methods or one of the innovative new products , you will have a unique and typical piece of Nepalese culture.

Horn and bone

Horn and bone products are newly developed Nepalese handicrafts .             They include bottoms,  ornaments and figurines.

Musical Instruments

Singing bowls, trumpets, drums, various kinds of flutes, cymbals, are traditionally  produced in  Nepal. So far, its performances as an export item is low  these items seems to be liked by many  people in international market.

Block Printing

Carving wooden blocks by hand based on traditional patterns and using them in printing is a time honored and highly skilled craft. With a back ground of printing on both paper and cloth, updated designs are now printed on specially prepared hand made paper and on hand loomed cotton fabrics which, in turn, are used to create interesting products such as unique stationary sets, clothing and household items like cushion cover, bed sheets, table cloths, napkins etc.

Silver Jewellery

The production of Nepalese silver jewellery has been an ancient tradition based predominantly on caste and culture. These silver jewelleries are manufactured by highly skilled craftsmen from Shakya and Sunar family , all by hand. These groups are able to adapt various designs and can now create beautiful works of art in Jewellery forms to meet the western market trends. Keeping the work completely hand-made still today by letting the workers do the new designs they are now able to adapt their ancient skills to modern designs. This unique feature makes Nepalese silver jewellery items different form those produced by other countries .