the MAIWA BLOG: August 2020

MEDIUM WEIGHT ORGANIC COTTON

Start your next project with the best of materials. Naturally dyed, hand block printed organic cotton. Maiwa has this yardage available in-store and online. Printed by the accomplished Dabu printers of Rajasthan, these bolts range from simple resist-printed dots to full complex block print patterns.

See all Block Printed Yardage

See all Block Print Yardage

See all of Maiwa's Yardage

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PATTERNS, SCISSORS, NOTIONS, BOOKS

See all Merchant & Mills

See all Merchant & Mills Scissors

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THE BLOCK PRINTERS

Read More About the Dabu Block Printers Here

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To our U.S. customers – don't forget that the exchange rate works in your favour, it's like an extra discount.

Wednesday, August 26, 2020 No comments

Forged with simple hand tools. Fired in a kiln. Individually tuned until the bell maker is satisfied that the tone is clear and true. These bells are what turn a flock of sheep into an orchestra. Available online so that you can take the music home with you.

See all Bell Sizes

These bells range in size from only an inch to almost a foot high. All the bells, regardless of size, give a music that comes directly from the heart of the Indian desert.

BEAUTIFUL BELLS

IN SEVEN SIZES

See all Bell Sizes

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Meet the artisan bellmakers of the Kachchh Desert.

Craftspeople use a stake anvil buried in the sand. With hammers and snips they fashion sheet metal into the desired form. Once the bell is shaped it is dipped into a mixture of flux, brass and copper filings. The entire bell is then covered with a clay coating to keep the finish in place while being fired.

Learn More About the Bellmakers Here

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To our U.S. customers – don't forget that the exchange rate works in your favour, it's like an extra discount.

Monday, August 24, 2020 No comments

Shown: Bandana Bundle A

Natural dye on organic cotton; printed using hand-placed wooden blocks in the traditional method. Each piece is a square of crafted brilliance.

See all Individual Bandanas & Bundles

$18.95 each

or bundle of 4 for $59.00.

Shown: Bandana Bundle B

See all Individual Bandanas & Bundles

Shown: Vine, Bloom, Madder Petal, Leaf

Shown: Pattee, Paisley, Madder Dot, Bhuti

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THE BLOCK PRINTERS

The fabled pink city of Jaipur sits at the centre of a cluster of traditional block printing communities. For centuries patterns have been created by dipping carved hardwood blocks into dyes and resists in an elaborate process that is complicated and time-consuming. It is also a source of great pride for the artisans who still practice it. These block printers are also masters of the Dabu process - a unique mud resist that is only found in this area.

Read More About the Dabu Block Printers Here

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MALA ONE PIECE

ORGANIC COTTON – BLACK LINED

Our Mala Onepiece is a wide leg, straight cut design. This version is lined with blockprinted cotton on the inside. It buttons down the front with a clean placket finish. Patch pockets on the sides. A nice weight to take you through all the seasons and easy to style. Shown with the Nimbu Top.

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SOLAL PANT

HANDWOVEN INDIGO

A mid-length culotte pant with a tie front, side pockets and elastic waist. A wide leg lets it be styled like a skirt or pant. Perfect for layering. Sewn out of the most gorgeous thread-dyed & handwoven indigo cotton with slight texture in the warp and weft.

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To our U.S. customers – don't forget that the exchange rate works in your favour, it's like an extra discount.

Thursday, August 20, 2020 No comments

SEE ALL JEWELLERY

Over many years, Maiwa has travelled the world researching textile processes and the cultures that support them. During this time we have also encountered cultures with a long history of unsurpassed skill in working precious metals.

Maiwa seeks out traditional items, such as amulets, broaches, turquoise, lapis and amber. When working in India we employ local silversmiths to set stones and traditional pieces in 92.5% silver settings.

We are happy to say that in India, our enthusiasm for traditional pieces has ignited renewed interest in traditional work. Often the combination of antique elements in new settings provides the perfect contrast to fire the imagination. These are pieces with a history and a story, adornment that whispers in its own voice.

SEE ALL JEWELLERY

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Beautiful cotton and linen bags naturally dyed, some block printed, some with a running stitch, all lined with complementary fabric. Sold individually and in bundles of 3, 6, & 12.

In Small, Medium, and Large. Designs vary.

SEE ALL DRAWSTRING BAGS

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To our U.S. customers – don't forget that the exchange rate works in your favour, it's like an extra discount.

Tuesday, August 18, 2020 No comments

Craftspeople enjoy an intimate relationship with their tools. As an extension of the human hand, brushes are especially important. These Japanese brushes are beautiful objects, made with traditional skills for a lifetime of service. They also age well - years from now they will speak about you and the depth of your commitment to your work.

There are only two families left in Japan who are still making these brushes in the traditional way. We are honoured to support them.

See all Brush Shapes & Sizes

See all Japanese Supplies

See all Brush Shapes & Sizes

Earth pigments come from clays and oxides and are best known by names such as burnt sienna, umber and ochre. Maiwa works with small companies who prepare these pigments using centuries-old traditional methods. Our pigments are ground extra fine for textile use.

Earth pigments are not dyes: they do not dissolve in solution, nor do they form molecular bonds with cloth fibres. Earth pigments are minerals and oxides that are collected all over the world for their characteristic colours. To work on textiles, the pigment is suspended in a medium and the medium bonds with the cloth. Acrylic is a popular media, however, at Maiwa we prefer soymilk. The protein in soymilk binds the earth pigments to the fibres.

At Maiwa we only use earth pigments on natural fabrics; cotton, linen, hemp, wool, and silk.

For more information please see our Earth Pigments instructions.

See the Earth Pigments Kit

See all Earth Pigments