Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Mahogany and leather table, 'Garland'(handmade table)

Mahogany and leather table, 'Garland'


Product Description

Bordered by a floral garland, a wide expanse of richly tooled leather reveals contrasting textures. Adorning a mahogany accent table, the elegant design is hand-crafted by the Asis Family.

Asis Family

"Handicrafts are born within us. They permit us to make them a reality."
Born in 1953, Eduardo is the head of the Asis Family. He worked with wood from a young age in his uncles' workshop, where he learned to carve and give a fine finish to their designs. He especially enjoyed developing furniture for homes and restaurants.

Customer Reviews of Asis Family

Very Nice Item-Wonderful Workmanship.Extra Fine Details in Leather. Everything I had Hoped for in Quality.Mahogany is Superior to my Expectations, Really Exceptional. Many Thanks....

bye..thank you :D

Monday, July 21, 2008

Quilting Through History

Quilting is an ancient activity, present in many cultures and each of these cultures influencing its development and particularity through time. The quilts became the expression of their maker's feelings, the witness of historical events or happy moments in simple people's lives. From its beginning until the present days, quilting had its ups and downs. Today, the development of the textiles industry and those of the machines and accessories used in making the quilts, the improved techniques of quilting have transformed this simple activity into a true art.

The oldest quilt was comes from ancient Egypt and it consists in a clothing item found on the statue of an Egyptian pharaoh, who lived around the year 3400 before Jesus Christ. The technique used in quilting stitches was also found in decorative objects from Middle eve churches. It is considered that the Templar Knights themselves took over the idea of quilted garments from the Muslim soldiers, who used it to replace parts of their armour when the metal was not enough.

In America, the ones who have brought and developed quilting were the Dutch and the English colonists, who made three laired clothes to protect them from cold and, from the remains of the fabrics they made bed coverings. This happened in the early 12th century and there are some written records about the quilting craft and the designed used in those times, but few samples were found because the fabrics were perishable. Though, a well-preserved sample is dated 15th century and you can observe here the parent of the quilting stitch represented by the coarse line and embroidery.

The 17th century gives us the first bed covering the Levens Hall, made from imported Indian chintzes. The details and the exquisite craft design indicate it as an example of high quality quilting, not just an ordinary bed covering.

When colonists brought the first patchwork-quilted products in America, they did not know how much this art would develop here. American women saw the great advantages of quilting, the functionality and the artistic experience of quilts and decided to expand and improve the scarce samples brought by the colonists. Therefore, they started to create interesting geometrical designs that became very popular in the 1880's fairs and competitions.

Long with the modern sawing techniques of the 20th century, the traditional craft of quilted bed coverings, table coverings or child comforts slightly decreased. Cheap and mass-produced garments and comforters replaced the original quilted bed coverings.

The 1960's brought the remerge of the quilting activity in the southern areas of the United States and the tradition was once again brought back to life and passed from one generation to another. It took almost 20 years, until 1980, to make the art of quilting be re-appreciated and practiced all over the country by passions women, even became a flowering business.

If you are truly interested in learning more about quilting then you absolutely must visit the Long Arm Quilting Machine Site. Clive thoroughly recommends this site so check it out today here: - http://www.longarmquiltingmachinesite.com/ For comprehensive and helpful quilting advice and tips. Visit the site now for some great advice on the latest quilt patterns.

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Teak spirit house, 'Vihara Spirit House'

Hi, how are you? Today i review...

Teak spirit house, 'Vihara Spirit House' (Thai spirit house)
by Novica.com

Florid gables bring artistic grandeur to a captivating spirit house. Pirot Gitikoon preserves Buddhist spiritual traditions as he carves the temple by hand from Thai teak. It is known as a vihara or san phra poom, meaning "guardian spirit house." When a family moves into a new house, it is customary to hold a Buddhist ceremony to invite a protective spirit to inhabit the ornate temple replica. It is believed it will bring luck, happiness, success and security against mean spirits or enemies who might threaten the family or their home.

Product Details

6.1" W x 6.9" H x 10.2" D

Weight: 1.8 lbs

Teakwood

Customer Reviews :
The Spirit House is truly beautiful! We visited Thailand last summer and it will be a daily reminder of the wonderful people of Thailand. Thank you.

Have a COOL Wednesday!
Cheers.

Saturday, July 12, 2008

Handmade Thai Placemat

Placemats, 'Blue Distinction' (set of 6)

products by NOVICA Elegant navy blue hosts an admirable constellation of green and burgundy patterns reminiscent of Lisu hill tribe artistry. They adorn this original set of cotton-blend placemats by Thai Tribal Crafts. Set includes six placemats.
Presented by Thai Tribal Crafts, these pieces are a personal expression of the individual artisan, thus the color and motif could vary slightly from that pictured.

Product Features

Handmade by Thai Tribal Crafts
Ships from Thailand within 7 days
Dry cleaning recommended

Product Details
13.1 ounces
17.3" W x 12.2" L
65% polyester, 35% cotton

NOVICA , in association with National Geographic, offers thousands of limited edition and one-of-a-kind gifts, jewelry, and home decor treasures handmade by master artists and artisans throughout the world. Leaves drift languidly on a shady background, their delicate shapes shown in silhouette. Working with the silkscreen technique, Thanyarat Sananpanich creates a sensation of springtime. The handmade placemats and matching coasters arrive in a saa (mulberry) paper gift box. Artisan Info: "Sawasdee ka! [hello!]. My name is Thanyarat Sananpanich, and I was born in northern Thailand. I went to school and lived my life just like any other Thai teenager growing up in a city. I was lucky, I was always chosen to join in all the traditional Thai dance recitals at school. I love my traditional Thai culture, so I joined a dance group when I was at school. I once had the chance to perform our traditional dances at the Festival Mondial Folklore de Drummondville in Quebec, Canada in 1989. "My first contact with Thai silk came after I graduated from the university in dentistry. I began to work as a dentist at a community hospital. I met a group of silk weavers during one of my dental assistance trips. The beautiful patterns and the people's kind manners made a big impression on me. So much so, that I decided to buy all 30 pieces of phrae wa silk before returning home. "Right now, I am trying to weave wall hangings from phrae wa silk as well as replicate the hill tribe's embroidered work. I

Can see Other products by NOVICA at Amazon.com

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

Thai Spirit House ("san pra poom")

Thai Spirit House

When Buddhism first arrived in Thailand (Siam) over 2500 years ago, spirit worship, or animism, was already widely practiced throughout Asia. Today, many of these animistic beliefs are intertwined with Buddhism and it is here that the Spirit House makes its entrance. A spirit house (‘san pra poom’) is a small shrine usually found outside residential or business buildings in Thailand, Laos and Cambodia. In Thai's beliefs the spirit house chosen to protect a dwelling will depend on which type of spirit is expected to live there.

Characteristics of spirit houses depend on the style of the spirit house crafter. This Thai Spirit House made by wood.

Can see any Thai Spirit House on Ebay :)


Friday, July 4, 2008

All Natural Handmade Wood Decorative Box - Elephant


Product Features
All eco-friendly and non-endandered source materials
Handmade , handcut in Bali, Indonesia
9.5" x 3"
Product Description
This box was handcrafted in Bali, Indonesia from exotic hardwoods. Octagon shaped wooden box with intricate work of carving. These individually handcrafted decorative boxes may be carved, painted, stained. The decorations add a touch of elegance to this unique art. These pretty decorative wooden boxes make great accents for any room of the house and can also help keep it organized. Perfect to keep your precious memories and keepsakes in a special and beautiful box and therefore makes an ideal gift.

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

Savon de Marseille (Marseille Soap) with Pure Crushed Local Flowers: Gift Set

From Savon de Marseille

Product Description
Absolute bliss. Pure, moisturizing Savon de Marseille soaps with the regional flowers of lavender, orange, rose and verbena. In the Middle Ages, big blocks of gentle soap were first crafted in the Mediterranean port city of Marseille with olive oil from local groves, marine ash and sea salted water. The quality of these soaps were immediately famous throughout Europe and in 1688 French law declared that only soaps made according to certain ancient methods could bear the important mark Savon de Marseille. Now the most prized of all soaps in the world, our Savon de Marseille is still crafted by hand, in Marseille, just as it has been for hundreds of years. It takes the Maitre de Savon (soapmaster) two weeks to make Marseille Soap. The purest ingredients (mentioned above) are heated for ten days in antique cauldrons. Know-how passed down through the generations will reveal to the soapmaster the right moment to pour the mixture into open pits where it slowly hardens. Cut into cubes and stamped, without machines of any kind, the soaps are then set out to dry in the sun and cool winds. Savon de Marseille (also known as "Marseille Soap") is once again being rediscovered for its extraordinary purity, gentle skin care and ecological value. Savon de Marseille is recommended by dermatologists throughout the world for dry or sensitive skin, eczema and other ailments. In France it has been trusted for generations to cleanse everything from linens to little faces. Marseille Soap is totally biodegradable, requires little packaging and its manufacture is environmentally friendly. Authentic Marseille Soap is stamped with its weight in grams - allowing households to compare prices and plan their inventories. No soap is "greener." This set includes 1 bar of each of the heavenly scented soaps (Lavender, Verbena, Orange Flower and Rose), gift wrapped in a clear bag and tied with a coordinating raffia bow.

Product Details:
Features
  • Made in France
  • Hand-Crafted
  • World-Famous Since 1688
  • Gentle and moisturizing
Customer Reviews
I love French Soap! The soap smelled fresh and the foaming action was very creamy!