How is Aksa Made?

Aksa Home Decor is home to ethical gifts. Based in Australia, our business model ensures that our goods are handcrafted by established fair trade artisan producers who put people and planet first and are skilled in their craft.  We are currently member of Fair Trade Association of Australia and New Zealand (FToA) and are Endorsed Fair Trader of Australia.

Many traditional skills, art forms and techniques have been passed down through generations. Aksa products have many handmade details like engraving, braiding, embroidery, welding, paper mache, and jewelry making using sustainable and eco-friendly raw materials. Each product is a celebration of the time and effort spend to make that truly one of its kind. 

 

About Indian Woodcraft & Artisans 

Wood crafting is an ancient art that dates back to the Maharajas of India. While at first, woodcraft was limited to carving sculptures and windows of temples and palaces over generations, influenced by its region's culture, it has evolved into articles like furniture, decorative pieces, storage boxes table lamps toys—and puppets! The abundance of native Indian woods—such as Ebony, Rosewood, Sandalwood, Sheesham, and Sal —yields beautifully rich results for inlay work.  

The diversity of each region's style and carving technique reflects in the motifs, and patterns on each carved article. The geometrical and floral patterns are the most popular.

In many regions, woodcraft production is vital for community livelihoods. By participating with Fair Trade organisations, we contribute to alleviating poverty and promoting sustainability through ethical practices. These organisations aim to educate and empower disadvantaged sections of the Indian community by providing them with job opportunities, gender equality, fair wages, safe and healthy working environment while preserving the local culture & traditional skills.

 

About Indian Metal Craft & Artisans

The Indian Handicraft industry provides livelihood to many artisans. Amongst the wide range of handicrafts, metalwork is one of the most popular crafts in India. Some popular techniques can be traced back 5,000 years to the ancient city of Mohenjo-Daro in the Indus Valley Civilization.

Artisans mainly use metals like brass, copper, bronze, iron, and silver which are durable and lend themselves well to delicate designs and patterns. 

Bells or commonly called Ghanta in Sanskrit are a unique cultural form of Indian culture. These Ghanta or ritual bells are an essential part of Indian temples. Hindu temple has a metal bell hanging at the entrance and devotees use it to ring the bell while entering the temple as a sign of their prayer. It is believed that the sound and the ripple echo the bell generates reverberates on the human aura.
Bells are also tied around the cattle’s neck so the owner would know of their whereabouts. A great way to find the cows on huge farms.

Artisans cut and then hammer metal or scrap iron sheets to create bell structures. The outer is coated in brass and copper and fired in local or homemade furnaces. The most fascinating part of this process is that all this without using welding! This lends a rustic and unique look to each bell.

About Jewellery Collection & Artisans

The Jewellery Collection at Aksa is comprised of pieces with a modern twist for the fashion-conscious woman. From earrings to necklaces, designer rings to bracelets. Made by talented artisans in India in designs that are timeless yet forward-thinking. Experience classic beauty without compromising personal style through luxury-lite jewellery options ideal for every occasion.

All the pieces are carefully crafted in North India. Local artisans have produced jewellery pieces using stones, glass, upcycled metal and wires, seeds, and other materials making them truly unique.

Here at Aksa, we hand-select each item to ensure its uniqueness and quality are never compromised. From time-honoured traditions, to design innovations with a modern edge, every piece embodies timeless elegance and sophistication while showcasing your individuality unlike any other store in town. So make it your lucky day - shop now for gifts for all ages including mothers/friends/grandparents.

 

About Indian Patchwork

A patchwork is a form of needlework, where small pieces of cloth (usually in Indian motifs) are sewn together, to make an attractive product. 

The craftsmanship and attention to detail make the products created using this technique unique and intriguing.

 

About Handmade Paper 

The traditional Indian art of cotton paper making was passed down for generations in Rajasthan, India and it continues to thrive. Artisans convert cotton waste into pulp to create richly textured, 100% tree-free paper pages with a uniquely soft feel.

For creating this unique paper, cotton is broken down into fibres using a traditional wheel press and is left to soak overnight. The next day, the pulp is strained, pressed into pages and hung to dry. After ironing, the crisp and dry paper is used for journals.

 

About Indian Chindi & Artisans

This item has been made using the traditional method of Chindi weaving. Chindi literally means 'torn cloth' in Hindi, the national language of India.

Chindi bags are made from old clothing – recycled and repurposed clothing is first sorted into colour piles and then torn into long strips of useable material.  Next, these strips are woven into colourful “plaits”. These plaits are then crafted into beautiful sustainable and eco-friendly bags.

 

About Papier Mache & Artisans

Known for its intricate work with paper pulp and famed across the world, Papier Mache has been synonymous with Kashmiri art since the 15th century.

Paper mache or Papier Mache derives its name from the French term meaning ‘mashed or chewed paper’.

The creation of a papier-mache object can be divided into two distinct categories, the sakhtsazi (making the object) and the naqashi (painting the surface).

Artisans soak used newspaper or scrap paper until it disintegrates, then mix it with cloth, rice or straw to form a pulp. The mixture is moulded, dried, and cut into shapes. Artisans coat the surface with glue paste, rub it smooth with baked clay and paste it on layers of tissue paper. The base colour and motifs are all created freehand with paints, then burnished and coated with lacquer. 

Common motifs that appear on Kashmiri paper mache products include flowers, box patterns, jungle motifs, and Kashmiri symbols like almonds and the chinar, a five-pointed leaf.