Artisan Spotlight: Cardamom Designs
In this cold winter weather, one of our favorite things to do is snuggle up on the couch and watch a movie or read a good book. At Modern Folklore, we have the perfect blanket for getting cozy and watching the snow. Our throw quilts from Cardamom Designs are comfortable, soft, beautiful, and a perfect addition to any couch or bed. These quilts are hand block printed, and there is a story and artisan behind each one. The quilts are beautifully patterned and made from natural cotton, eco-friendly dyes, and hand-stitched in a traditional Jaipur Razai style.
Cardamom Designs is one of the many wonderful, women-owned businesses we work with at Modern Folklore, and there are so many things we love about them. Cardamom Designs was founded by Kate Kellogg after an artist residency in Jaipur, India. This residency led her to the art of hand-block printing and traditional Indian artisans who could make her dreams of combining her artwork with her love of Indian culture a reality. Every design is hand-drawn or painted by Kate and sent to artisans in India who carefully carve the designs into wood blocks. Artisans use the blocks to print the designs onto natural cotton and silk fibers.
The art of hand-block printing originated in the 3rd century in China and reached India by the 12th century. Block printing is a generational art that has been passed down through the years. It has taken on the culture and community of the region and has become an important Indian tradition. Many people are involved with the different parts of the process, from creating the designs to carving the blocks to eventually printing on the fabric. This beautiful process shows the heart of community and culture that we value so much.
These quilts are just one example of the beautiful work that they do. Cardamom Designs makes everything from quilts to bandanas, kitchen towels, and napkins. The Modern Folklore shop is proud to carry many of these artisan textiles. Every pattern is handmade and thus truly one-of-a-kind, displaying the heart and hard work that goes into authentic handmade, artisan goods.
The story behind Cardamom Designs + founder Kate Kellogg.
for more information on block-printing and blog sources…
https://www.marketplaceindia.com/product/blog-a-rich-tradition-hand-block-printing
https://www.jdinstitute.edu.in/history-of-block-printing-with-infographics/
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/18/t-magazine/block-print-jaipur-india.html
written + compiled by: ava lypps, modern folklore sales guide
