Shopping in Chiang Mai: Furniture and Handicrafts at Baan Tawai Village

Chiang Mai is a city of artists: no traveler can doubt this after having stepped into one of the many handicraft centers located throughout the provinces, where there are flowing abundances of paintings, exquisite fabrics, umbrellas, furniture and silverware. It is no surprise, therefore, that in January 2011 the governing body of Chiang Mai initiated a procedure to apply for a Creative City Status with UNESCO for the province as a joint effort between the municipal authorities, the communities of Chiang Mai, and the Chiang Mai University. Toward this, efforts have been made to coordinate different sectors of the city's economy, from cottage industrialists to hospitality to independent artists to develop human resources, increase jobs, and encourage the development of the arts.

While most travelers will be more readily familiar with the Night Market and the Walking Streets, both of which are within the city center and therefore more conveniently accessible, you might want to consider going a little off the beaten track and trying the Baan Tawai, an OTOP (One Tambon One Product, a program to encourage and sponsor Thai artisans) village. Located on Route 108 in Amphur Hang Dong, about fifteen kilometers south of the city center, it has in recent years streamlined into convenient "zones" of shops, eateries and cafes while the main street itself is home to furniture shops that sell some of the most creative furniture and home décor items found anywhere in the world: there you will find chairs and couches in flowing abstract wood, delicate forest nymphs, and beautiful bamboo lanterns. Prices are also ridiculously cheap for such workmanship, material and artistry; the only possible concern you might have would be shipping logistics, but you can be assured that if you're buying furniture or decorating a new house then you can certainly do worse-and do more expensively-than browsing through several Baan Tawai shops.

Your next stop should be some of the inner zones. Zones 2 and 4 are particularly popular, flourishing with little art galleries full of oils and acrylics in styles both modernistic and traditional Thai, unique pieces that can be had for as little as $20. Zone 4 also features a corner with upscale shops selling fantastic glassware, celadon ceramics, and a little café that offers free WiFi, decent bakery, and killer frappe coffee made to order as well as a small menu of traditional Northern Thai fare. The style of goods in general are very particular to Chiang Mai, quite distinct from that found in other regions of Thailand (or any other parts of Asia) and the quality is consistently high: did you know that some ceramics from Whittard of Chelsea are, in fact, made in Thailand and indeed right in Baan Tawai itself?

While the area is somewhat remote from city conveniences, there is a smattering of eateries throughout the village that will more than serve the need for light lunches and breakfasts. Pharmacies and convenience stores, such as 7-11 and others, are also scattered about the zones should you feel the need for a quick drink or need to top up your pay-as-you-go phone cards. The shopkeepers price their goods fairly, and often the salesperson and the artist (or sculptor, or weaver) are one and the same. Incenses, novelty candles, papier-mache dolls, Thai silks and more can likewise be found in the village. It's the perfect alternative to shopping therapy in air-conditioned malls, and sure to offer everyone something to like.

Joanne Chong works in Business Development as an expert at the Empress Hotels Group, a family of Chiang Mai luxury hotels providing the best value for three/four-star Chiang Mai accommodation suited for Chiang Mai holidays and long-stays, convention facilities and fine dining in the city center.

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Craft Products

Craft products are generally defined as handmade artistic products. While the craft industry is growing in products and ideas all the time, one of the best things about crafts is that they are generally a traditional item.

Today there are many millions of crafters that are happily doing crafts all across the world, and they are doing this individually, in clubs and in classes. One of the nicest things about crafts is that they are generally a social pastime, as it is almost impossible for a crafter to not share their handiwork.

Home and hobby crafter

This type of crafter practices their crafts purely as a hobby and derives a great amount of peace and fulfilment from starting new craft projects and taking them through to their completion. Generally a crafter of this sort does not need to sell their finished item, and does crafting for the love of it.

Small home crafter business

Small home crafting businesses are very numerous across the world. What normally happens is that a crafter makes a conscious decision to develop the volume of the craft produced to sell on local craft markets and through friends. Very often this financial decision is reached to try to get extra money as a second income to a household. Occasionally these small home enterprises go on to become large craft retail outlets. However the truth is that most fail through lack of funds and lack of business planning and business skills.

I have found that a very large percentage of these small home businesses could have been a roaring success if they had followed a few simple craft market marketing principles.

Crafter store

This crafter store business model is one that not a lot of crafters start out trying to do as an initial business plan. Generally a craft store is conceived as a store from the very beginning, and in my experience, tends to be started by a person who is more business orientated than craft orientated. Nothing wrong with this approach and a business person who loves crafting is great because they are the stable ones that allow all the rest of us to have access to a store in the neighbourhood.

Craft products online

There are some fantastic craft websites online and many of them have thousands of members selling their crafts very successfully. If you are looking to buy crafts online there is a number of high-quality shopping based websites. I would suggest that you simple put "buy crafts" or "craft shopping websites" into your search engine box and you will get some great options.

Another very popular website that has thousands of individual crafters registered is blogger, and the good news is that you could search internally there and will be well rewarded with a lot of craft websites.

If you are looking to take your own craft products online, I very highly suggest that you take the whole idea to the highest level and do it properly from the beginning. This really just means correct keyword research, your own domain and then a long list of marketing methods that if properly done will catapult your personal website to the top of the search engine results pages.

Getting the best advice possible

I have 20 years of craft market experience, and now 26 months of internet marketing, and the combination of these two skills can be a massive advantage to your craft business.
If you would like more information or any help at all, I suggest that you visit my website and either contact me, get my free report or simply buy my training course on Flea markets and craft markets

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Essential Paper Craft Tools For Every Home Craft Set

Paper crafted creations are great, they allow you to create something that is completely unique to personalise your home or as a gift. Paper craft is a hobby that needs a great deal of creativity, buy there are some essential tools that can be a great hand in helping make your creation just how you want it.

As paper craft requires a large amount of cutting the first essential items are all for use when carving and cutting your paper. Firstly we recommend both a pair of high quality paper scissors and a multi paper craft cutting tool. There are tools available that incorporate a selection of blades, scoring tools and piercing tips that are ideal for cutting, embossment and parchment creation. When working with sharp cutting tools then it is important not to damage the table or working surface that you plan to use. Specialist cutting mats provide good protection and have special cut resistant surface so they last for a long time.

A good ruler is a must, and it is essential that you get a long metal with millimetre and centimetre markings. This is apposed to a wooden one as it can become damaged during use, they are especially important important for both drawing out correct measurements and as a guide for cutting and scoring the paper accurately.
When measuring and cutting paper its imperative that you mark and cut correctly, however working with small materials this can be difficult and its important that you have sufficient lighting in your place of work. An adjustable table lap with a powerful bulb is great for helping you work better, especially if you do not have a great deal of natural light.

By employing ink pads and a selection of different stamps you can create a range of embossed surfaces that look brilliant and provide a great effective to your paper craft. They can also be used on a range of different projects to add unique designs to your paper.

However the most important paper craft tool is the material you work on, the paper. There are a range of different high quality papers available and the one you are best suited to using will be purely down to your paper craft project. If you are unsure you can buy paper packs that have a range of different paper colours and thicknesses, and practicing with these is usually the best way to gaining experience of what paper is best for the project you have in mind.

Scott King is a consumer specialist who reviews the latest Craft Supplies and other Craft Tools on the market.

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How to Make an Innovative Online Handicraft Store

Handicraft can be defined as an art or trade formed as a result of human skills and artistic ability. It is a sort of unique and talent accompanied with a creative and synchronized effort of human hands and human minds. Handicrafts are purely handmade; they do not use any kind of machines or equipments. You will be astonished to see the enticing masterpieces created by these skillful craftsmen that contain intricacy and great techniques. An artisan tries including the essence of their culture, tradition and heritage in their art works. Because of their marvelous works even today handicrafts are a trend. Handicrafts can be purchased from any local store or directly from craftsmen or you can find them in any remote areas. But it is not always necessary that these handicrafts are available to you in your local area. Moreover, always it is not convenient to go to a local store for shopping and here comes the application of online handicraft store.

The evolution of Internet has made shopping lot more exciting and easier activity. Some people really enjoy shopping and certain others try keeping it simple. Since there is no time limit for online shopping, they are more comfortable as you can shop any time at your convenience. Also you can make a comparative study on each product which is not all that easy when it comes to a local store where you will have to run around different stores. You can save a lot of time while shopping online when compared to local stores, as you will just have to browse online for a few minutes. Also the products displayed in an online store may not be from one region alone, it can be from any part of the globe.

A number of sites are offering handicrafts online, so when you go in for an online store you should be unique from the others in some or the other way. Initially you should plan the architectural structure, design and layout of the online store thoroughly. You should offer the best quality products so that customers stick to you. Also display the best collections in the online handicraft store which will draw the attention of the customers. Each product should be explained in detail, so that customers get an overall idea of the product. There should be additional feature like review section where they can share their experience of shopping online and feedback on how the product is. Easy back navigation is an important feature that you should include, as this can annoy the user. Provide some discount offers or coupons or gifts to drag visitors to your site. Money transactions are done by online banking facility. To make online transactions easier, register with more than one payment processors. However, these days identity theft is a very common in online shopping. So provide more security to your website with the help of powerful encryption procedures, to make your craft stores online a successful one.

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Indian Handicraft: The Best Way to Decorate Your Home

India has a rich heritage, and its culture is one of the oldest in the world. Since the time of Mohenjo-Daro, handicrafts of India are famous the world over. The Indian handicrafts can be rightfully described as the best in the world and can add to the style and taste to even the most elegantly designed house and room.

Probably, there is no country in the world with such high concentration of handicrafts and craftsmen as in India. You will be able to discover it all here: - Paintings, Wood Sculptures, Woodcarving, Silver and Gold Jewellery, Stone carving, Puppets, Terracotta - the list goes on and on. Here are some Indian handicrafts that you can use as home decorations.

Wooden Handicrafts: Traditional Indian woodcarving has been of Gods, flowers, jewellery boxes, nameplates, key chains, room screens, and much more. Famous areas for wood carving are Saharanpur in UP, Kashmir and Tamil Nadu. The most significant part is that you can always find something you like for an amount you can pay for.

Pottery and Stone Sculptures: Rajasthan is famous for items like pottery and marble item, which are always in huge demand. You can use these to decorate your home and to add to that look of luxury. There are many types of stone carvings, for example, traditional idols, sculpture, hyper-realist animals, etc. The favoured material for stone carving is marble.

Silver and Gold Jewellery: Jaipur, Lucknow and Delhi are main centres for buying ethnic Indian jewellery. Indian jewellery is available in a wide range that suits the budget and taste of the people. You can choose from silver, gold, carved jewellery, etc. Every state is famous for its own special style of jewellery. The east is famous for beaded jewellery, the west for stones and mirror jewellery, the south for refined temple jewellery and the north for its carvings and designing.

Other handicrafts of India: These include textile and costumes such as saris, kurtas, paintings, terracotta figurines, ceramics, musical instruments, furniture, leather works, brass bowls, bronze statues and other ornamental items.

If you want to find something beautiful and attractive for yourself or somebody that you love, then should always go for some Indian handicraft item.

Kingdom of Dreams offers a complete entertainment package including musicals, live shows, Indian Handicrafts and whirlwind of Indian dances.

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