Handicrafts, the way they have been

       

Over the last decade or so, handicraft pursuits have enjoyed an enormous upsurge in popularity. Traditional handicrafts, such as patchwork and quilting, tie-dying and batik, bead work and embroidery of all sorts - the origins and history of which in many cases, are lost in antiquity - have shot back into fashion, whilst new 'handicrafts' have emerged to meet the demands of contemporary living. All have been greatly enriched by the introduction of modern fabrics, colours and designs, which have done much to make handicrafts more exciting. Economy has doubtless had much to do with the current popularity. Clothes, gifts and all manner of household items, nursery and garden accessories - many examples of which will be found all around us can be made at home at a fraction of the cost of an  equivalent shop-bought item. They have the advantage that they may be made in the sort of materials wanted to achieve a chosen effect. The traditional handicrafts are present till today with some exciting and unusual ways of using them, and recently popularized rafts, such as candle and collage making, and constructing mobiles and wall hangings - now have become so much part of the usual home decor. There have come up some enchanting patterns for making economical toys and some bright knitting, crochet and rugs, to name just a few. The materials available today are also in abundance, paper of different sorts; leather, suede and felt. In terms of techniques, applique work, smocking, various embroidery stitches, paper patterns, transferring of designs to fabrics, proves the enrichment of handicrafts making. Happily, the days are gone when handicraft pursuits were pastimes only for those people who were especially talented or had lots of spare times. Nowadays, anybody can try their hand at any number of different crafts, and we are sure we will be of help at all the stages of your handicraft making pursuits. Happy Handcrafting !!