We meet again, Fall

Fall is around the corner. I know..I hear the groans from around the world.

We had a good time soaking in all the sun this summer, watching the sunset, feeling the ocean breeze. 

However, now it's time to cuddle up in our cozy fall goodies. 

One look at the organic cotton scarf and  I'm like, summer who? No, I will still miss summer but I am sure the warm scarves, socks, and boots will make up for it pretty soon. We will meet again next year though!

Until then, revel in the goodness of nature, with the colors changing and the warm coffees setting the mood for a cozy day. 

www.Ichcha.com

Sale at Ichcha

Hi Everyone! We're coming out of our hibernation period. Winter markets were good and now we're preparing for our next trip to India to work on our next collection. Loads of new prints and handmade products to look forward to. In the meantime, we're going through our inventory and putting up a sale as a THANK YOU to everyone's support in 2012.

The curtains are hand block printed with natural dyes. The natural dyes come from Indigo, Pomegranate skins, Flowers, Leaves, barks, and other natural products found in nature. They hang beautifully in homes, letting in the natural sunlight. The colors change through the day as the sun rises and sets.

There are two types of scarves. Block printed as well as embroidered. Both are hand made and carry with them the story of the artisan who helped create them. They are a product of an artisans love in his/her art.

Other various goodies include purse organizers for those who need some organization in their purses! This also comes in handy when you switch your bags a lot, the smallest pouch can go from your day work purse to your night clutch without the hassle. Our necklaces are all handmade with recycled fabric! They're so cute worn with any outfit and feel comfortable against your skin.

Thank you again 2012 for such a good year. We hope 2013 is just as good as you!

New beginnings

New Blog - New Name - New Beginnings. 

Thank you for everyone who has followed this blog in the past years. I hope to continue to bring you beautiful images, artisans, and crafts from India and beyond. 

Ichcha is going to be officially launched in a few days. You can keep in touch with the behind the scenes by following the Ichcha blog.

I hope to see you all there!

The imprint of the woman

Our inspiration wall is filled with the many embroideries of Kutch, a region in Gujarat, India. Many sub communities who are known for their embroidery hereditary are spread around the kutch region. We had the pleasure of visiting a few of them and buying straight from the women in the villages. Each piece is a living imprint of the woman and her craft history.

Many organizations work one on one in cooperatives with these women to help them zone in on their skill as well as elaborate their business skills. You can soon find unique Ichcha products that work to encourage this traditional craft.

Happy Monday!

Happy Monday Everyone! What better way to start out your week than to see what's new at the Ichcha shop.

The Ichcha shop is up and running with amazing block printed home furnishings and accessories. The designs are unique and fun, ready to jazz up your homes.

As you know, we work with natural dyes that are good for the maker as well as you guys! So you can feel good carrying a bag that was dyed in a dye bath of red flowers and/or onion skins. The materials vary according to color. If you're curious as to how your newly purchased curtain/bag got its color, just send us a comment and we'll be more than happy to tell your what natural plant/spice is spicing up your life.

Ichcha products featured in blog

Thank you to Schulman Art to feature my window panel on her blog. Check her out at: http://schulmanart.blogspot.com/

I would like to thank...

Check out the link for a brief statement featured in The Fashion Institute of Technology's Hue Magazine.

HUE MAGAZINE

What day is it? It's EARTH DAY!

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EARTH DAY IS EVERY DAY at Ich-cha, where we make a conscious decision to provide responsible products made with the environment, communities, and traditional forms of art in mind.  This mission allows us to be conscious individuals in our work and personal life, today, and every day.  Today, on the formal Earth Day, we present you with a challenge … should you choose to accept it. The biggest difference you can make in the world is by spreading the word – by educating and changing the consciousness of others. 

So, model good behavior to your friends by using reusable mugs instead of disposables (take your mugs to Starbucks or Caribou Coffee for some free coffee), turning off your computers AND monitors, and remembering to recycle. 

Send a reminder message to your family and friends (check out cute ecards on Care2.com).

See how businesses are getting into the spirit and what it means for you as a consumer:  Best Earth Day 2011 freebies, steals & deals - National Holidays | Examiner.com

 

To educate impressionable minds, be sure to visit Free Earth Day Coloring Pages and Crafts for Kids for a wide variety of Earth Day craft projects and coloring pages and Earth Day Fun and Games for the kiddies.

Whatever you choose to do – log it here (http://act.earthday.org/) and help reach the goal of “one billion acts of green”.

And please remember to pass it on…

This Blog was submitted by our guest blogger Monika Kumar. Thanks to Monika and her friends for contributing the information and helping to educate us!

Rajasthan 2011

I returned to Rajasthan after a year and what better way to start then by stopping for some local chai and maawa.

  I got the opportunity to print some of my own designs alongside the experienced block printers. The joy that came from seeing my carved designs of wooden blocks is unexplainable. Also, while printing, it was quite amusing to watch the dialogue between the block printers about the execution of my designs. Each one had their own input and experience to bring to the table. By the end of our trip I got to understand how strongly they feel about their craft and their designs that they've been printing all these years. Being a contemporary designer, I seemed to pushing against their traditional ways.  However, one of the sons, Azu, seemed to be dabbling in designing himself and fully understood my way of working. While printing my fabrics, he smiled with every contact the block made with the fabric and finished without a single stress in the world. That's exactly what I wanted. I don't want my designs to stress anyone out, it's supposed to be enjoyed as much by me, as by the printer, and the consumer. At the end of the trip, the youngsters went out to enjoy with some samosas and thumbs up. :)