othing beats the charm of handmade products. Not only are they always unique and exclusive, but they also bear that personal touch, warmth and love that are characteristic of artisanal offerings. They also resonate with a story of the land, the history of the craft and the legacy of the generations behind it. Gorgeous and precious, handmade products are always perfect in an imperfect way. As a business owner, you may need to communicate this to your buyers in a manner that is honest, yet unalarming.
Qalara lists out some of our hot-selling product types and their inherent characteristics, so that you are able to manage buyer expectations while keeping them informed.
1. Marbleware
This magical stone has been wowing the world, one offering at a time. As per Vogue’s 2021 trends, marble’s popularity has sky-rocketed. With biophilic designs trending, everything from marble bathware to décor has taken center stage. Smooth to the touch, marble is all about understated luxury. No two slabs are alike due to the natural veining and spotting pattern of the material and the color undertones. The handmade process further lends exclusivity to each offering, making it unique. Take a look at some marble tones to be amazed by its range of appearances.
2. Longpi
The pride of Manipuri artisans, Longpi pottery is made using materials and techniques native to the village of Longpi and its people. It is an ancient craft that was originally used by the locals to create pots and pans, much before the advent of metal kitchen utensils. The stone and clay used in the making of these products, are found only in this region. Every step is done by hand, all the way from molding to firing. These offerings get their iconic black color from a combination of rocks and of course the firing. Since different varieties of rocks are used, you can notice hints of dark brown, rust or charcoal grey if you look closely. The color of the product can range from a deep black to a muted black to a greyish-green. The products are manually shaped without a wheel and polished with a leaf, hence the texture may be slightly rough with a naturally crude finish. This adds to the earthy appeal, making every purchase truly unique. Check out the swatches below to understand the range of some of longpi’s tones and textures.
3. Ceramics
Without a doubt, the most preferred, popularly consumed and easily accessible material for daily use are the varied forms of ceramics. Ceramics are broadly categorized into three forms namely earthenware, stoneware, and porcelain. The functionality of ceramic products can extend from being used as kitchenware and bathware, to even aestheticizing a space by means of embellishing walls and mantels. Ceramics can vary in colour based on the temperature of the firing, the clay mix and the composition of the glaze. The texture too is defined by the above factors and the techniques adopted by the potter. It can vary between smooth to grainy, glossy to matte. Have a look at these fine ceramic textures yourselves.
4. Soapstone
In its primary raw form, soapstone is a type of rock. The prefix ‘soap’ hints at the soapy texture of the rock that is reinforced by the talc like substance in the stone which constitutes up to 50-75% of its composition. The practical applications of soapstone are aplenty. From tiles to sculptures, show pieces to kitchen counters, soapstone is capable of giving your décor a clean, shining, and immaculate look! Just like marble, no two slabs of soapstone are alike due to the natural veining pattern, the color undertones and the naturally occurring fault lines. The handmade process further lends exclusivity to each offering, making it unique, exclusive and precious. Check out the swatches below to get a sense of variations within this gorgeous stone:
5. Copper
Copper surely has found its way to become the talk of the town after a brief layover. It’s on a trendy rise currently in the accessories and jewelry market, as copper reclaims it crazed fans. Laden with a gorgeous reddish glow, copper is all about luxury and decadence. It’s tone and texture may vary depending on the production method and the degree of oxidation it has been exposed to. Like most metals, copper darkens with age, leaving behind a greenish-brown patina or tarnish that can be easily cleaned using various methods. Here’s presenting some more insights on the phenomenon we like to call the Curious Case of Copper’s Comeback.
6. Wood
One can’t utter the word ‘durability’ and then disregard the all season champion that is wood. As a natural and easily accessible material, wood offers an array of choices in the form of Mango Wood, Neem Wood, Indian Oak wood, Rose wood and other worthy competitors. This wide range, in turn, makes way for myriads of tones, textures, patterns, swatches and other properties to choose from! Let’s sneak a peek at Acacia wood whose colour, texture, grain structure and tone varies based on the region, season, production method, and the treatment. Textural nuances like knot holes, scratches and blemishes are highlights of natural wood, lending a distinct rustic flavor to the offerings. Some of these characteristics are shown below. Take a look and be wooed by wood!
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