This festive season we're delighted to bring you something a little different. Our beautiful new Booja Baubles are hand-painted and handmade in Kashmir, India, by the same artists who paint our Heart-Shaped Gift Boxes, Artist's Collection Gift Boxes and Easter Eggs.
For over twenty years we've been working with a social enterprise in Kashmir, India called Persian Dowry. Over that time, and with the help of our business, they've grown from a team of 30 artists to a community of about 150.
When we began working together the artistic industries in Kashmir were in decline, largely due to a downturn in international tourism caused by years of political unrest. Now Persian Dowry is helping to inspire the younger generation; encouraging young people to take up apprenticeships with older, skilled artists who are making a healthy living from their art. In this way we’re helping traditional, ancient skills and artistic techniques to flourish again.
Kashmir is one of the few places in the world where handmade work still dominates over industrial mass-production. All of our boxes are made, painted, checked and packed by hand. Many of the artists involved work from home, which is important during the freezing Himalayan winters, when families need to support themselves but would have difficulty travelling to and from work in severe weather conditions.
Working from home is also useful when periods of civil unrest lead to curfews. Persian Dowry works creatively to continue to supply people and support as many families as possible, even during these difficult periods. This sustainable model means that people are able to work from home and stay with their families, and support each other in a cooperative, community-based way.
Persian Dowry plays an important role in the lives of the people it employs; as well as giving them work, it often assumes responsibility for caring for their essential needs. This approach has won the company awards within its region for its success and ethics.
Until now, we've always packed our delicious chocolate truffles inside the boxes made by these talented artists. Unfortunately it's just not practical to squeeze truffles inside these exquisite decorative baubles, but we just couldn't resist them so we're selling them as they are, and bringing a little handmade Booja-Booja magic all the way from Kashmir to your Christmas tree.
