Handicrafts are referred to as slow and deliberate. If you make handmade goods in a rush, it shows. With very few exceptions, handmade objects are not disposable. Disposability is for cheap junk. Why go to all the effort of making something beautiful by hand just to throw it out?
Thoughts
Many people think that Handicrafts are second-rate and not elegant. This is probably a response to the amateur, unattractive hobby crafts practiced by proud but untalented family members. However, being handmade has also always implied the highest quality goods made by master craftspeople who have enormous talent, training and experience. Whether it’s clothes, shoes, pottery, houses, furniture, knives, tools, jewelry, even beer, or anything else, there are master craftspeople making the highest quality goods by hand.
New era and new thoughts
The strength of traditional handicrafts is not only preserving the rich culture, heritage, traditional wisdom of its glorious past, as a source of international revenue or generating rural employment, but it is rather important for the fact that they are very environmentally friendly. The study has been conducted to understand the strengths of the traditional handicrafts manufacturing with regard to environmental issues. Some important parameters which influence the environment, and were considered for the study include the raw material used, energy requirement, environmental pollution, finishing and recyclable nature.
Are handicrafts eco-friendly?
Eco friendly handicrafts are made from jute, waste materials, hand-crafted paper product, plywood product, cloth product, hand-crafted salutation cards, recycled bottles, recycled product, biodegradable product which was common in Indian culture and now It’s acknowledged worldwide.
The strength of traditional handicrafts is not only preserving the rich culture, heritage, traditional wisdom of its glorious past, as a source of international revenue or generating rural employment, but it is rather important for the fact that they are very environmentally friendly. The study has been conducted to understand the strengths of the traditional handicrafts manufacturing with regard to environmental issues. Some important parameters which influence the environment, and were considered for the study include the raw material used, energy requirement, environmental pollution, finishing and recyclable nature.
Relation between products and materials
Eco friendly handicrafts are good for the environment as they’re made from natural resources. Such handicrafts are playing a vital role in preventing pollution. Also these items are attractive and sustainable. In decorations these products are highly praised and they are customized in a fascinating way.
Mainly eco-friendly handicrafts are made from Jute, Seagrass, Water hyacinth etc. Jute is used for making items like Carpets, door mats etc. It’s comfortable and beautiful. Seagrass isn’t used in making these items as they aren’t comfortable. However, baskets placemats, and gift boxes are highly in demand which are made of seagrass. Shawls, door mats, carpets, place mats, pots, bags and many other heterogeneous items are manufactured by relevant materials. This variation among items brings more to attract people of all walks of life. Let’s discuss in detail about these primary materials.
Availability of raw materials
Since handicraft is all about making craft with available things (mostly recycled household waste products), the raw materials are very cheap and easy to purchase. Suppose, if it is a small-scale handicraft industry that produces handmade furniture, clothes and embroidery designed products, the raw materials are easily available or the industry would also use recycled products.
Natural fiber is fiber derived from plants and animals. It’s called fiber, and it’s shaped like a tendril. To get the shape of the fiber, several stages of processing are needed depending on the character of the base material.
Jute
Jute is a long, soft, shiny vegetable fiber that can be spun into coarse, strong threads. It is one of the most affordable natural fibers and is second only to cotton in the amount produced and variety of uses of vegetable fibers. Jute fibers are composed primarily of the plant materials cellulose and lignin. The fibers are off-white to brown, and 1–4 meters (3–13 feet) long. Jute is also called “the golden fiber” for its color and high cash value.
Water hyacinth
One of the most common natural fibers in Indonesia is water hyacinth. Water hyacinth becomes a nuisance plant for common people. However, for residents of certain areas such as Kulon Progo and Ambarawa water hyacinth, it becomes a promising source of income. Both of these areas become centers of handicrafts from water hyacinth. The water hyacinth plant can also be made of various handicrafts because the fiber is quite strong enough so that various handicrafts can be made which must be dried in water hyacinth so that it is easy to form
Coconut Fiber
Coconut tree is a tree where all parts of the tree have a use value. From roots to leaves of coconut trees can be used for various purposes. One of the parts of a coconut tree that can be utilized is coconut fiber or coconut fiber (coconut skin). From coconut fiber, coconut fiber and powder can be obtained which can be processed into various products.
Rattan
The part that is used from rattan plants is the bark. Separation of the bark usually uses a machine. Making rattan crafts can be done by weaving rattan into various forms of finished goods. But there are also handicrafts made from rattan in the form of rattan bars which are put together using nails, for example for tables, chairs and planters.
Bamboo can be used as a variety of handicraft products with aesthetic and high economic value. Bamboo handicraft products appear with more attractive and artistic designs up to now widely used in star hotels, cottages, spas, boutiques, banks, shops and modern building interiors. Some of the techniques in making natural handicrafts from bamboo are woven and sticky or sticky construction techniques. Woven Indonesia is well known in foreign countries with a variety of interesting motifs and shapes.
Leather
Leather produced from animals such as cows, goats, buffaloes, crocodiles, and other animals can be used as a basis for crafts. The process of making leather raw materials is quite simple. Cut animal skins washed first, stretched, then dried directly in the sun to dry. After drying, the skin is rubbed (tanned) to remove hair and dirt using a cutting knife. Then the skin is washed and dried again. After that, new skin can be used.
Stone
The land of Indonesia is spread over a wide variety of sparkling and colorful stones. Martapura area, Kalimantan is a producer of color stones that are considered very unique, Tulungagung produces marble, Pacitan produces precious stones of various shapes and colors.
Many regions in Indonesia make color stones as handicraft products such as fashion accessories, as well as decorative items, interior and exterior decoration and others. Color stone processing techniques as handicraft products must be ground first, then assembled. For interior and exterior, carving and carving techniques are used.
Optimism with employment
The handicraft sector plays a vital role in generating income and providing employment opportunities and has also been recognized worldwide as a tool for reducing poverty rate. It is one way of preserving and promoting cultural and artistic traditions because,for many countries, the significant unique cultural heritage is retained through their handicrafts. This article will deal with handicrafts specifications of some countries.
It is one of the best ways to eradicate unemployment. It provides innumerous opportunities to explore the skills and talents. Women who are homemakers and unemployed people can spend their leisure time learning handicraft skills to earn a good amount of income. Income generation depends upon the quality of skills that you have, resources and investment you allot for the handicraft business. It is also necessary to find a niche market and target audience to earn a high amount of income.
Improves the creativity and skills
Whatever talents or skills that you have, can be sold to the customers if it meets the requirement and quality criteria. You have to create handicraft products with your knowledge and skills. At the first stage, you may make some mistakes but practicing and improving the creativity can surely be achieved. With proper skills and development, there is a definite chance to grow your own business. It is the best platform to enhance your interests and skills.
Asian countries such as China, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh etcetera are contributing much in exporting eco-friendly handicrafts. However, India is on the top at exporting products like this. Cloth and floor paintings, stone art, handmade paper, textiles – block and screen painting, batik, bandhani, pottery, jewelry, metal artifacts- these are the items that are manufactured most in India.
Pakistani eco-friendly handicrafts have survived through ages. The legacy of Pakistani culture promises everything- beauty, dignity, form and style. Carpets,Earthen Pots (Matkas) Glazed Tiles. Cotton Garments,Door mats, Place mats, Bed wears, Bags and many decoration items are exported by Pakistan.
Nevertheless, let’s not forget that Bangladesh is also keeping up with others. These products have gotten their recognition and nowadays they are on demand. From small industries it has expanded to larger industries.
Revolutionary Changes
● The systemic change away from industrial-scale production will provide the following benefits of craft production:
● There will be more jobs overall, and jobs on average will be more meaningful. There is more meaning because jobs will be more ‘hand-ons’ and less abstract. Jobs will have more value and less bullshit as well as more personal connection and less alienation.
● They tend to be made locally for local consumption. This is good for the ordinary economy and it reduces freight and fuel consumption.
● They are made to be savored. Preferring quality rather than quantity will tend to reduce overall consumption and therefore production. There will be less junk.
● They are more environmentally friendly. By-and-large, small-scale production is less wasteful and is, therefore, less energy and resource intensive.
● There is more variety. This is a real variety, not just essentially the same product with a different label.
Therefore, we can conclude our discussion by accepting the fact that we need to go for green and sustainability and our busy world should come forward in an active way which will enhance this industry. The sooner it implies the faster our lives will be breathing in a green world.
The future of handicrafts looks promising in days to come.Advent of special platforms, technology coming to the rescue and a host of other things.Handicrafts are the embodiment of our country’s diverse culture and rich heritage.It wouldn’t be wrong to state that the handicraft business has enormous potential in both domestic and international markets as various statistics indicate. While artisans’ fragile situation necessitates cautious involvements. Hence, it’s worth noting that the industry is on track to grow in the coming years.