We start with a painting which is chosen because of its quality of design and colour and the ability of the image to translate into a different medium. Some images will work in the medium of chain stitch, some on lacquer ware and others are perfect for printing onto bone china. Very few images will work on everything.
Once the samples are done and we can see that they will work we place an order. We normally order between 3 to 15 different designs depending on the product. We need to create a critical mass of product and design. On rare occasions a design won’t work that well, even with a second attempt at making samples. At that point we will simply use a different design.
For example, lacquer ware requires making the pulp from recycled paper, moulding and shaping the boxes or Christmas balls, drawing the design onto the moulded item, and hand painting the design onto the dried mouldings. After the paint has dried the finished boxes and balls are varnished, one side at a time.
Chain stitch cushions and rugs require spinning and hand dying the wool, drawing the design onto the base cloth, embroidering the design by hand and then making up the actual cushion cover after washing the finished embroidered cloth in the nearby stream.
Finished orders are loaded onto container ships and sent to us.
Goods are unpacked and shelved, then received in our inventory.
If the goods have not yet been labelled with our swing tags, artist stickers, handicraft label and barcodes, this is also done.