Metal Crafts :

The metal craft products include metal images (statues/idols) of popular motifs of Hinduism and Buddhism and utilitarian utensils. These products are mostly produced by household units clustered around the city of Lalitpur (Patan). In Nepal, making metal images is a very old art. These are produced with the lost wax method of casting. This method of casting is done by preparing a wax model, covering it with varieties of clay, heating the piece so that the wax is melted , extract the liquid wax so that cavity is created , pouring metal into the cavity , cool it and the original model is translated into the metal image. The metal image out of the casting is very rough.

Rough image is then made smooth, chiseling is done to bring precision. This complicated job requires an artist's conception, proper technology, an engineer's perfection and the skillful hands of a craftsman. The art and skill is transferred hereditary and artisans follow the age-old designs and production technology. Today items like paper knife ,spoon and forks with traditional designs ,bagh chal games also added to the range.

Other Metal craft (Utensil) Utensils and garden articles are made through hand hammering and casting such as traditional metal wares, water jars & pots, singing bowls, crafted boxes, gurkha khukuries (khukuri), cooking metal wares, kitchen wares of copper and brass, metal wash basins, metal food dishes, metal decoratives, metal hand carvings, flower vase, bells, cymbals, wine jars, cups, tea pots, tibetan metal crafts ans artifacts and more..

(c) Natural fiber of Allo:- The natural fiber of allo comes from the bark of giant nettle Girardinia diversifolia and has been extracted for generations in the high mountain region. The allo plant occurs in most of the high mountain regions of Nepal ( Sankhuwasabha, Dhankuta, Rolpa, Rukum) at the altitude of 1200 and 3000 m, flourishing under the shade od mixeddeciduous forests. The seed are shed freely and begin to grow with the onset of Monsoon rains between April and June. Harvesting begins towards ends of August/September and continues until plants beging to flower around Dcember. Only mature thick stems are harvested; others left to seed. The stems are cut about 15 cm from the ground in ordewr to leave sufficient stem for new shoots to spread. After the cutting and stripping , bundles of about five stems are held at the butt end and an incision is made with the teeth in each steam in order to separate the outer bark and fiber layer from the inner stem.

The barks are either processed while still lush or dried and stored in bundles. The dried bark will be soaked in water before fibre extraction .The bark is processed by boiling for two to three hours , in water to which wood ash has been added .The exposed fibres are beaten or rubbed between fingers and thumb to remove any remaining plant matter, and rinsed in water . The wet fibres are then coated with a white micaceous clay soil to lubricate the fibres and make their separation and spinning easier. The dry bundles of all fibre are prepared for spinning by being shaken to remove surplus micaceous soil and then open out For spinning women use a light weigh hand spindle . Alllo fibres are taken on most journeys and are spun not only when resting but on even the most difficult walk. Allo is traditionally woven into cloth in a open back strap loom. Presently wooden looms are used to weave cloth , placemat and table runners . Allo thread also is knitted into vests, shawls ,nets. Variety of new products ranging from bags, cushions covers, wallet, and clothing with natural dyes are being produced and liked by many buyers at present.

Nepalese craftsmen have been producing handmade paper for a thousand years. The people of Nepal use natural paper in their daily life for writing valuable legal documents, for making sacred or popular masks, for kites etc. The monks of Tibet have always used it for their manuscripts and for printing sacred texts. This paper is renowned for its exceptional durability and for its lively and special texture.

A millennium has passed since the Tibetans introduced the still earlier Chinese technology of paper making to Nepal. The bark from Daphne cannabina or Daphne Papyracea " Lokta" in the local language, is the raw material used. It is gathered at high altitudes in a way that preserves the fragile ecology of Nepalese forests. Then, it is carried to villages two or three days walk down to the mountains, where the paper-makers clean and boil the bark. Beating with wooden mallets produces a pulp which is poured into wooden frames, sun dried sheets are transported to paper factories where they are dyed, stenciled, printed and transformed in to attractive products by craftsmen. Today products like greeting cards, stationary sets, notebooks, gift wrapping paper, bags, envelopes, photo frames etc. are made that reflect the tradition of ancient and original Nepalese culture.

With a wide variety of wool bearing animals available in Nepal, woolen items have traditionally played an important part in every day life. Today high quality sheep wool and agora wool from Nepal and imported wool from New Zealand are used to create beautiful knitwear sweaters, jackets, hats, and caps, gloves and mittens. Designs are based on both traditional Nepalese and classic western motifs and are available in a beautiful range of fashionable colors

Thangka is a Tibetan painting depicting various facts of Buddhism of mystic sect. They are painted on silk or cotton fabrics using bright colors of many hues. Thankas are used as wall -decorations. For,Lamas they are objects of religious importance.

Thankas have developed in the northern Himalayan regions among the Lamas. Besides Lamas, Gurung and Tamang communities are also producing Thankas, which provide substantial employment opportunities for many people in the hills. Some of the artistic religious and historical paintings are also done by the Newars of Kathmandu Valley.

In certain villages of southern Nepal ( Janakpur) it has been tradition for women to paint lively designs on walls for their homes, the designs varying with the occasions. Now artists are creating on handmade Nepalese paper and using poster and fabric colors vibrant adaptations of the same designs found on village walls. Images include elephants peacocks , symbols of prosperity and good fortunes, wedding scenes and gods to bless the new couple and parrots, bamboo , turtles and fish all symbols of happy union and fertility. Besides paintings, today the products includes mirrors, ceramics, table cloths and bed sheets and T-shirts all with beautiful Mithila arts.

In Nepal , building and modeling in terra cotta goes back to 2600 years and still continues to this day. Terra-cotta temples displaying superbly carved with lively motifs of sculptures were built between 14th and 18th centuries. Locally known as "kumhale" , one of several occupational castes of Nepal , Nepalese potters move the earth to produce a range of quality ceramics products. Earthenware statues, water and storage jars, and flower pots are traditional products. Today, producers have added interesting glazes ,all lead free, and an expanding product line of terracotta into useful and decorative items like glass, cup plate, tea pot, flower vase, serving bowl, soup bowls etc.

Paper mache masks, puppets and dolls
Colorful paper mache masks, depicting various Gods & mythical demons make unique decoration and are available in many sizes. Puppets made of wood and clay with paper mache masks come colorfully and ethnically dressed and are a popular export items. Some dolls made from cloth and corn husk depicting various occupational and tribal ethnic groups represent the culture of Nepal.

Baskets, as in many other cultures, play an important part in every day life in Nepal. They come in a variety of shapes, sizes , and colors; have many uses; and are made from materials ranging from split cane to rice straw to bamboo to pine needles. For example the "Dalo" was originally used in the temple, for straining rice bear, for storing grains, and holding fruits. Adapted for use today, it is both decorative and useful. Vases, coasters, purses, trays, storage containers, and serving baskets are just a few of many available products. Whether you choose a traditional basket woven according to time honored methods or one of the innovative new products , you will have a unique and typical piece of Nepalese culture.

The production of Nepalese silver jewellery has been an ancient tradition based predominantly on caste and culture. These silver jewelleries are manufactured by highly skilled craftsmen from Shakya and Sunar family , all by hand. These groups are able to adapt various designs and can now create beautiful works of art in Jewellery forms to meet the western market trends. Keeping the work completely hand-made still today by letting the workers do the new designs they are now able to adapt their ancient skills to modern designs. This unique feature makes Nepalese silver jewellery items different form those produced by other countries.