https://padlet.com/aakansha_09345/craft_lac en-us 2018-09-10 21:35:58 UTC 2024-12-10 21:46:41 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/icons/Balance.png aakansha_09345 https://padlet.com/aakansha_09345/craft_lac/wish/279635345 While looking for Lac bangles at Maniharon ka Rasta, we were guided to the residence of Muhammad Niyaz, a  bangle-maker and seller, who works all day in a small, dimly lit room with his wife, crafting lac bangles by hand all day. They make bangles of all sizes, shapes, colors and with embellishments, for occasions ranging from weddings to festivals to daily wear.]]> 2018-09-10 22:08:52 UTC https://padlet.com/aakansha_09345/craft_lac/wish/279635345 aakansha_09345 https://padlet.com/aakansha_09345/craft_lac/wish/279635644 I chose to buy a pair from the stock of bangles they were making, so as not to disturb the workflow and also because these were the ones that were made right in front of me, and were like a souvenir from the process.]]> 2018-09-10 22:10:44 UTC https://padlet.com/aakansha_09345/craft_lac/wish/279635644 aakansha_09345 https://padlet.com/aakansha_09345/craft_lac/wish/279636417 2018-09-10 22:16:48 UTC https://padlet.com/aakansha_09345/craft_lac/wish/279636417 aakansha_09345 https://padlet.com/aakansha_09345/craft_lac/wish/279637295 2018-09-10 22:23:28 UTC https://padlet.com/aakansha_09345/craft_lac/wish/279637295 aakansha_09345 https://padlet.com/aakansha_09345/craft_lac/wish/279720234 Design: Plain, unembellished bangles in a bright red color, with a glossy finish are in production today. These are made for daily-wear, and some may be fitted with stones and embellishments later.

Perceived Value: For married women, this could be daily wear. For younger females in the urban context, these could be statement pieces to be worn with specific outfits.

Price: The maker pitched Rs. 50 for a pair from the set of red bangles he was making. In a shop in the market, this could be called over-priced. But seeing as we were at his residence-workshop, and the hospitality and kindness extended to us for the last hour, I felt that bargaining isn't required here. Also, for me this is a statement piece, more of a collectible than a regular-use product. Someone buying it for regular use might only pay Rs. 50 for a set of 6-8 bangles.]]> 2018-09-11 06:47:24 UTC https://padlet.com/aakansha_09345/craft_lac/wish/279720234 aakansha_09345 https://padlet.com/aakansha_09345/craft_lac/wish/279720243 Crafts have existed for ages. When something has been present for so long, people get used to it and think of it as commonplace. Locals who have seen the craft products all their lives will not be willing to pay a higher price for them. Over time, they might even start to bargain.
Someone who is not used to it or belongs to a different society could be convinced to pay more for it.
Also, the concept of 'market' forms a different image in the buyer's mind. A line of shops stacked with the same products, in a market where people come to pick up things they require and things they want, a place like this is not where the value of 'handmade' can be appreciated or even understood.
People engaged in various handicrafts supply their products into the mainstream market, where factory-made, machine-made and hand-made products are all sold together. The value of 'hand-crafted' is lost in this process. ]]> 2018-09-11 06:47:27 UTC https://padlet.com/aakansha_09345/craft_lac/wish/279720243 aakansha_09345 https://padlet.com/aakansha_09345/craft_lac/wish/279736885 First, Why a contemporary audience?
The locals will not be willing to pay a higher price, and the value of the craft gets lost in the mainstream market. Therefore, it is a good strategy to serve it to a different market altogether, a segment that is aware, willing and able to understand the craft and the story behind it, and can recognize its value. This is where the contemporary audience comes in.]]> 2018-09-11 07:56:01 UTC https://padlet.com/aakansha_09345/craft_lac/wish/279736885 aakansha_09345 https://padlet.com/aakansha_09345/craft_lac/wish/279758233 So how to convince them?
During my visit to Mr. Niyaz's workshop, I was able to observe the entire process, how the product is made from melting, coloring, shaping to the final product. This increased its value for me, and I was willing to pay the quoted price. Similarly, if instead of supplying finished products to the market, the craftsman's work and process is put on display,  the audience understand the amount of work and skill that goes into it. A product sells better with a story, and today's buyers want to know the story and background behind products.
Also, awareness about the living conditions, hardships and income of the craftspeople will make the audience more willing to support and appreciate the work.]]> 2018-09-11 09:13:05 UTC https://padlet.com/aakansha_09345/craft_lac/wish/279758233 aakansha_09345 https://padlet.com/aakansha_09345/craft_lac/wish/279758500 Craft products have seen little changes throughout the course of history, and often fail to keep up with changing aesthetic and design sensibilities.
This is where Designers can help.
The artisan and the designer can work together to develop products that cater to the tastes of today's audience without losing the authenticity and the essence of the craft. ]]> 2018-09-11 09:14:19 UTC https://padlet.com/aakansha_09345/craft_lac/wish/279758500 aakansha_09345 https://padlet.com/aakansha_09345/craft_lac/wish/279761383 The couple making the bangle narrate how they were given prime importance in Rajput and Muslim weddings, where the elders of the family would call Bangle makers and sellers to decorate the brides with their adornments.

They further state how brides getting married today want fancy plastic bangles. and  their authentic craft no longer sees those glorious days]]> 2018-09-11 09:26:20 UTC https://padlet.com/aakansha_09345/craft_lac/wish/279761383 aakansha_09345 https://padlet.com/aakansha_09345/craft_lac/wish/283726597 2018-09-20 04:33:33 UTC https://padlet.com/aakansha_09345/craft_lac/wish/283726597