The Artisans
Nepal is home to many divine arts and exquisite handicrafts, from spiritual sculptures and artworks, religious architecture to functional ceramics and weaving. The skills of these crafts have been passed down from generation to generation. A large proportion of Nepal's population live in rural settings and rely heavily on subsistence farming and ethnic crafts to use in daily life.
The Marigold Co-operation works in collaboration with marginalised groups in Nepal who produce beautiful handicrafts, and we bring them to you.
Women’s Skill Development Organisation is a non-profit and fair-trade group working to empower socially and economically disadvantaged women of rural Nepal. Their experiences range from refugees, being differently abled, abused, widowed, divorced, single, orphaned or of marginalised castes.
The women of WSDO make a wide range of handwoven and handmade products including handbags, purses, toys, footwear and household accessories. The artisans use local and raw materials with ecofriendly dyes.
Association of Craft Producers is a fair trade, not for profit group helping to provide a sustainable income for low income Nepali artisans. ACP was founded in 1984 in Kathmandu to support women and empower them to earn an income and successfully support themselves and their family within the community. Today ACP has grown to around 1000 artisans with 90% being women. ACP plays a significant role in preserving traditional crafts and creating job opportunities for low income women in Nepal.
ACP provides services including design training, management training and marketing services. ACP has a strong sense of social obligation where producers receive medical services, retirement funding, maternity and paternity leave, and an education allowance especially for daughters and for education on health and women’s rights.
The artisans of ACP produce textiles and home accessories, some of which include felting, paper products, soaps and ceramics.
Yes Helping Hands is a non-profit and non-government organisation that was established in 2011 in Pokhara that supports people with disabilities by providing vocational training and employment within appropriate fields. Yes Helping Hands aims to challenge the discrimination differently abled people face in mainstream Nepali society and help them enjoy an independent life.
Yes Helping Hands offers training in handloom weaving for people with visual, hearing or physical disabilities. This free training gives them a chance of employment and the capacity to earn an income. This opportunity increases self esteem and improves their standard of living. The artisans produce beautiful scarves, shawls and throws in pashmina and cashmere threads.
Kakani Himalayan Natural Dyes was first established in 2009 by 5 amazing Nepali women to establish themselves as a business, empower other local women and support the community in Kakani, central Nepal. KHND have been recognised for using natural dyes, from the Kakani forest and kitchen waste rather than chemicals to produce the most delightfully earthy hues. KHND produce exquisite botanical eco prints, shibori tye dyes and solid dyes in cotton, hemp, bamboo, pashmina and merino wool.
Kakani Himalayan Natural Dyes is a socially and environmentally conscious initiative that has community development as its priority. They train local women in the preparation of dyes so then they become skilled and financially independent. This has greatly reduced domestic violence in the community.