July 27th, 2019

Today we continued our workshop aiming to complete the prototype design incorporating the embroidery threads to the golden grass products as well as the 3 different sized balls as accessories for the beach bags. We have thought that we will colour the balls using different colours. After starting our workshop we asked the artisans their feedback on the thread incorporation and the coloured balls. Some of the artisans replied that it was a good idea and the rest of them were saying it would take more time to complete the products.

After all the discussion we went to lunch and discussed with the craftmaster regarding our new idea, she thought it was very good. After the lovely lunch we came back to the workshop and most of the artisans had completed the work. We checked the product and we told them about the necessary changes. In the end we completed 7 to 8 coasters and 4 different size of balls as prototype designs.

In the end we told the artisans to try and come up with new ideas about how we can incorporate the thread into golden grass products, it was like  homework for the artisans.

July 26th, 2019

We went to Antia today to check up on the progress of the Golden Grass Project and were positively surprised to find the artisans working on our latest designs.

On our last meeting we decided to modify some details of the product’s design in order to make them more appealing, stronger and special by adding silver thread to some of them. Today they completed many different sample prototypes by embroidering the thread in different ways to see which one looked better.

The women have been learning new techniques, perfecting their own and even coming up with brand new design ideas. This is a big accomplishment for us given that our goal as a foundation is to spread art and culture as we enhance the lives we touch.

The next step for us is to continue to come up with creative and innovative designs (specifically deciding which designs work with the thread and which one’s don’t), produce the ones that are ready and continue to strengthen our partnership with the artisans.

July  25th, 2019

Today we had a cloudy weather in Antia The workshop we had planned for today was a little different from the previous workshops we had. We were thinking to incorporate the embroidery threads with the golden grass, this creative decision is a very bold one since it has never been done before, but it’s an experiment we’re excited about. When we reached the village we told the craftmaster about our idea she was skeptical and asked how putting threads into the golden grass was possible, they were also wondering about the benefit to put the thread into their crafts.

We addressed her concerns and told them that our idea was that if we put the embroidery thread woven into the golden grass crafts then it will be a little bit stronger than the normal weaving, it might also help us create more things and it will be attractive for the buyer since there’s a little more involved and the appearance is nice. After having a long talk with them and exchanging fears and ideas the craftmaster finally replied: “ok let’s try and see how it looks”. After some time the artisans came and started to share their opinions on these workshop and our newest idea. We told than to make 5cm coasters that would allow them to put the thread in. Afterwards we told them that tomorrow we would have a visitor from Mexico and from our Chairman. They were quite happy to know that they would have a new friend from Mexico and they were asking us questions about the visitors.

July 9th and 10th, 2019

On July 9th it was very cloudy in Antia, we were worried to hear that the artisans were not on time -some of them didn’t show up- because they were sick and suffering from a fever due to the weather. However we were able to talk to some of them and discuss our plans for the next workshop. We showed and explained to them the design of our lampshade which was luckily easy for them to understand and hopefully to make.

All of our designs keep in mind the process and difficulty they entail, that’s why we constantly work on improving the techniques the artisans already have so that they will make more and better products and learn new abilities.

Later on we showed them an updated version of our coaster design, this time we asked them to make 4cm wide coasters with different shaped and sized inner circles, we were trying to make a different diameter of the inner circles, hopefully they will find them interesting and easy to make.

During this day we only completed a few coasters as well one of the lamp pieces. We told our artisans that tomorrow they have to complete at least 20 pieces of the coaster design and the 2 top parts of the lampshade. 

On July 10th it was raining in Antia. As continued our workshop only 4 out of the 13 artisans came into the workshop in time. Since we had complete the work today (the prototype for the lampshade) and most of the artisans were not present, we had to continue with the 4 artisans that showed up, from which only 2 where very good in hand speed when weaving. We decided to give the top part of the lampshade to the twi artisans that were more skilled and a little faster. By the end of the day they had completed the top part of the lampshade and some 4cm coasters. We told them to make 98, 4cm coasters for next time, when they complete them we will come back and have a workshop on how to add the coasters to a lampshade.

June 17th, 18th,19th, and 20th, 2019

On June 17th we had very lovely sunshine in Antia, we started our workshop with almost all of the artisans on time and happy. We started our workshop by classifying the raw materials and setting an objective. On the first day of the workshop we had the aim to make the tassel cover in the smallest size possible as well as the smallest possible coaster sample. After trying different sizes we have begun the training on finishing touches and details on the products. During our last workshop in May, we had given them a Beach Bag Project, which was the first time we did such a dynamic. We were quite impressed with what they achieved, however they had not been able to make the handles on the bag because they were confused on how to do it. They had completed the base part of the bag and they left the handle part so this time we showed them the process of the handle making for the bags. In this moment some debates surfaced, since some of them wondered if they should put wires inside the handles -besides the golden grass- to which we replied that we had to try and make them first. We then decided to start making the handles the next day.

The 3 following days we had very sunny weather in Antia. As the artisans were happy because of the festival, which had just passed, they made many different kinds of sweets and they gave some to us to try, they were really good. We continued the workshop for three days because the handles were not yet completed and since it was the first time for the women making them, it took some time to complete. In the meantime, one of our older artisans, who has much experience, was there to help the younger ones make the handles in proper size and shape. She is one of the best artisans in the village and always tries to make the products perfect in terms of weaving, size, and shape. She also wanted to make the beach bag from our former workshop and the final result was a beautiful and perfectly done bag. We were very happy that she came and helped the other artisans make the handles, later she invited us for lunch at her home and it was very tasty. Afterwards we discussed the projects with her and received some valuable feedback on the artisans work, our communication with them, the obstacles that they were facing and so on.

May 11th and 19th, 2019

The month of May was a very sad and difficult time for all the people living in Odisha because of the cyclone Fani. So many trees and plants were uprooted and destroyed, there were big losses of animals as well, there was no current and mobile network for 15 days in the main part of Odisha. After the cyclone, on May 11th, we visited Antia Village and luckily all of the artisans, their families and homes were fine. We begun to work on the Golden Grass Project again and decided to give them one task as a group: one beach bag for all of them to make by May 19th. Through this activity we were hoping to teach them about teamwork, improve the communication and interaction between them and show them how easier it is and how -through teamwork- they are able to complete the work quicker. After a natural disaster it’s very important to reflect as a society and make conscience about the importance of teamwork, consideration and helpfulness amongst all of us.

On May 19th there was sunny weather in Antia, some of the artisans were on time. When they arrived we discussed with them about the project of the beach bag and whether it was difficult to complete or not. Surprisingly the answer was positive, they had completed the bag on time and they shared how they divided the work, improved the communication among themselves and helped each other rectify the mistakes in the product. When they showed us the bag we were pleased to see the beautiful work that they had done, then we made some notes on the possible improvements of the product and then asked them to make 10 more bags. It was very valuable for us to have helped them improve not only in their skills as craftswomen, but also in their relation towards each other and their teamwork abilities.