Painting by Durga Bai Vyam for Pari Bazaar, Heritage Festival Season 5 of Bhopal. (Photo Credit: Begums of Bhopal Club.) Gond art is more than just an artistic tradition. It bridges the past and present, conveying stories, beliefs, and the spirit of the Gond tribe. This art form preserves its cultural and historical significance and inspires future generations.   Why Gond Art Matters?   Celebrating Gond art acknowledges the rich cultural legacy of one of India's oldest communities. It serves not only as an expression of creativity but also as a testament to the resilience and creativity of the Gond tribe. This art reminds us of the strong bond between humanity and nature and the enduring, captivating power of storytelling. In an era when traditional arts struggle to survive, Gond art symbolises a beacon of hope. Its ability to adapt to modern contexts highlights the timeless relevance of cultural traditions. Diving into Its Origins and Significance   Gond Art is a visual delight. 'Gond' comes from the Dravidian word 'Kond' , which means 'green mountain'. It represents a valued cultural heritage originating from the tribal inhabitants of central India, linking ancient traditions with modern aesthetics. This art form mainly derives from the Gond tribe and illustrates stories about nature, mythology, and the daily lives of its people through intricate patterns and vibrant colours. A deeper exploration of Gond art reveals its musical roots, historical evolution, symbolic richness, and contemporary significance.   The Musical Connection of Gond Art   The origins of Gond art are closely linked to music and oral narration. Traditionally, Pradhan Gonds were regarded as bards and musicians within Gond society. They sang epics and myths about gods, ancestors, and nature, recounting these tales at festivals and ceremonies. These stories laid the groundwork for Gond culture. Over time, these oral narratives were documented in the visual art form now recognised as Gond art.   For the Gond tribe, each painting extends its musical and storytelling traditions, expressing the rhythms of its songs through patterns and forms. It represents a creative evolution and a means of establishing a more lasting way to communicate their stories.   Photo by Sumita Roy Dutta (Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons) Central Motifs and Symbolism in Gond Art   Deeply rooted in its connection to nature and spiritual realms, Gond art encapsulates a niche of recurring themes and motifs that are embedded with symbolic meaning:    Nature and its elements: Gond works of art typically consist of nature, i.e. animals, trees, birds, and natural landscapes. Trees are considered sacred and symbolise the interconnection between life and the universe; animals such as tigers, deer, and snakes are depicted as representations of coexistence and harmony with nature. Birds, particularly peacocks, symbolise beauty and grace.   Mythology and Folklore: Gond art often tells stories from Gond mythology, including the creation of the universe and the adventures of their deities. Mythological figures, such as deities and mythical beings, serve as guardians, protectors, and symbols of prosperity. These stories are passed down through generations to preserve their cultural heritage.   Everyday Life: Farming, festivals, and community gatherings illustrate the vibrancy and resilience of Gond life. These depictions provide a glimpse into the daily life of the Gond tribe.   Abstract Patterns: In Gond paintings, the signature 'Digna' features dotted and lined patterns that add texture and depth to the artwork. These patterns also signify a rhythmic quality, reflecting the musical origins of art.    The Artistic Transformation of Gond Art   Gond art was traditionally executed with intricate decorations on the walls and floors of homes. The artists used naturally available materials like cow dung, coloured mud, charcoal, and plant sap to create these murals. Beyond simple decorations, they brought prosperity, protection, and blessings from the divine. The modern journey of Gond art began in the late 20th century, largely due to Jangarh Singh Shyam, known as the father of modern Gond paintings. His innovative use of Gond art on paper and canvas introduced this style to galleries worldwide and inspired other artists. By embracing an acrylic palette and incorporating ancient motifs, he paved the way for many artists and ensured the survival of this art form.   Jangarh at work at Bharat Bhawan, Bhopal. (Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons) The Visionary: Jangarh Singh Shyam   The story of Jangarh Singh Shyam, born in 1962 in a small village in Madhya Pradesh, highlights a remarkable talent who achieved international fame as a mural artist. Discovered by artist and curator at Bharat Bhavan, Bhopal J. Swaminathan, Jangarh transitioned to creating Gond paintings on paper and canvas, combining traditional motifs with contemporary styles. His vibrant, detailed works brought Gond Art to the forefront, with exhibitions in Japan and France firming his status as a trailblazer. Jangarh passed away in 2001, leaving behind his wife, Nankusia Bai, and children, Mayank and Japan Shyam, who continue his artistic legacy through the enduring "Jangarh Kalam" style.     Gond Art's Global Journey   The global recognition of Gond art began with the efforts of Jangarh Singh Shyam, who showcased his works in galleries in countries such as Japan and France. Gond art is celebrated and has gained worldwide acclaim, which is evident in its presence in renowned galleries and museums. Books like "The Night Life of Trees"  by Bhajju Shyam, Durga Bai Vyam, and Ram Singh Urveti are captivating art books that explore tree lore from the Gond tribe in central India. These artists, including Bhuri Bai and Subhash Vyam, are popularising the Gond Artwork for its rich narrative and aesthetic beauty. A book by Shri Udayan Vajpeyi, titled "Jangarh Kalam" , is an extensive essay on Pradhan paintings and the retold folk tales of the Pradhans, which continue to enhance the glory of the art form.   Madhya Pradesh remains the epicentre of Gond art in India. Cities like Bhopal, Jabalpur, and Mandla serve as hubs for artists, and Bharat Bhavan  in Bhopal plays a significant role in preserving and promoting this art form.   Challenges and Sustainability   While Gond art enjoys popularity, it faces numerous challenges. Its commercialisation raises questions about the artworks' authenticity and fair compensation to the genuine artists. Additionally, the younger members of the Gond tribe are gradually transitioning to urban life, distancing themselves from the traditional practices.   Efforts are underway to tackle these issues. NGOs and organisations promote Gond art and foster a supportive environment for artists by providing fair wages, giving them due credit for their paintings, and showcasing their remarkable artwork.   Educational initiatives and workshops are organised to inspire younger generations, instil pride in their heritage, and preserve the legacy of Gond art.   Gond Art in Contemporary Context   Modern Gond artists often use the latest techniques to address global issues like environmental conservation and social justice. They blend traditional elements with contemporary themes that resonate beyond the Gond community, making it adaptive. These changes keep Gond's art relevant in today's world while remaining deeply rooted in its rich traditions.   Digital platforms have also expanded their reach to larger audiences. Online exhibitions, e-commerce sites, and social media have allowed artists to connect with art enthusiasts and sell their work.    Gond art is a tapestry of history, culture, and creativity, beautifully woven with intricate patterns and vibrant colours. It tells stories that transcend the barriers of time and space, offering glimpses into the rich cultural lives of the Gond tribes. By continuing to celebrate and support this art form, we ensure its legacy endures for generations. Gond art is an artistic tradition and a living testament to the human spirit's capacity to create beauty and meaning in harmony with the natural world.

You are gifted. Do you enjoy painting, clay modelling, sewing, origami, toy making or making/designing handmade products? Do people appreciate you for those exceptional skills? Do you feel any sense of satisfaction when people take time to appreciate those objects? Are you passionate about those hobbies?  Then it may be just perfect for you to take your hobbies to the next level. Those hobbies may be your source of a niche business. You may consider developing those special skills into a source of income. Welcome to the humongous world of handmade products market. There are many handmade business ideas you can start at home.  "The secret of getting ahead is getting started" - Mark Twain.  Handmade Products of Unique Value Articles of unique value can vary from wall décor to showpieces and costume jewellery to hair bands with their multiple utilities, and each one has a unique market. Each category has a demand for those fancy articles from the students to the professionals and entrepreneurs to homemakers. They are cool and chic and contemporary yet personalized at the same time as per everyone's taste. So you already have a ready market out there for your labour of love. You only need to put a signature mark to your creations and find a way to connect to those who value your creation. Developing an Identity for your Creation Be it costume jewellery or showpiece, a flower vase or a cane basket, each item produced by you needs to have a unique identity. Those may bear some uncommon features which are representative of you. But a marked difference or unique mark that is created to differentiate them from the rest of the market always helps.  You can always develop a beautiful name under which you market those products, or you may even use your name. But always remember a unique name that is easily memorable and has a greater significance matching your category of products always helps. Develop a Logo & Brand Identity for the Handmade Products  The best way to establish your products' distinct identity is to create a brand identity for them. You can start by developing a logo for them and push it forward with their packaging and means of distribution.  You can always add a tag for them that bears the logo, your production units address, and a brief product descriptor. It may also include brief instructions for safe use and long life of those products. Developing Great Products Remember that whatever you make irrespective of its creative brilliance is not a popularly marketable product until it fulfils some requirements of your target consumers. For example, if you are making cane baskets, they should be sturdy and useful to carry goods and be fashionable and affordable.  So matching your skills that require identifying products that are useful and valuable for your target consumers. Simultaneously, you have to keep an eye on the market and include unique features in your products that can compete with other products in its category. Finding a Market for Handmade Products As soon as you are seriously considering your hobby as a successful business, you have to understand your products' market and market dynamics along with the nature of the consumers who use them.  If you are producing handmade ladies' purses, it is always better if you can distinguish between the women who use purses from those who do not. Next, it pays to understand the price range of the purses used by different categories of women. Then comes the nature of the purse, raw materials needed for them, their availability within your reach, their price and time and effort needed to produce them.  Once you are done with all these, you need to understand how to reach your potential consumers. That you can do in two ways, you can sell them directly to the customers, or you may sell them to the retailers who in turn sell those to them.  Earlier it was essential to reach out to these consumers. Now, it is possible to draw the consumers to you with the advent of the internet and eCommerce. Nowadays, it is rather simple to develop an e-store or e-commerce solution to reach your consumers. With proper digital marketing techniques for innovative products, it will mark a strong presence. Developing Individual e-Market Solutions The best approach to establish your footprint in the virtual domain is to create a website for your handmade products. It may be individually designed from scratch, or you can buy customized websites from different e-commerce solution providers.  For designing an individual website for a business that is not theme or template-driven, available from popular website builders aligned for eCommerce, you have to hire a full-stack developer specialized in website building (as opposed to mobile applications, desktop software, or video games).  Suppose you are qualified enough to get it done at your level, nothing like it. But if professional assistance is essential, go for it. That is because this initial identity is going to be the most vital touchpoint of the world to connect you. As an alternate option of avoiding the pain of explaining your requirements elaborately, you can select a convenient eCommerce website builder. They are website builders developed specifically for eCommerce. You can have multiple options to choose from suited to your necessity once you mention your objectives. It's much easier than building out the entire website yourself. To know more about your website's final development, please visit the second part of this blog.  How To Build Online Presence For The Handmade Items Business?

Today we all talk about new fashion trends, but have you ever thought about the origin of this concept? How did we come to know what is wearable and whats not? Who has decided on the clothing styles for men and women, and why do we feel odd if the order is not followed? But despite all the thinking, we agree that fashion existed since the earlier civilizations. Only the forms have changed during all these centuries. As a student or a designer, you need to understand the history behind fashion, and its evolution as these historical costumes can provide a wealth of ideas and inspirations and are still relevant in modern times if not taken literally. So, let's start with the journey of Early Civilisations. Early civilization's fashion journey. To understand this journey, you need to dig deep into history. Let's go back to the experimenting age, where people were clueless about fashion trends. Though humankind had started using clothing at the stone age by wrapping leaves to cover and protect their bare bodies from harsh climates, actual variations in fashion evolved around 3500 BC. The wealthy class adopted it first to establish and spread new trends. These trends had limited reach as they were not suitable for the working people's requirements. How was mass fashion introduced in Mesopotamia (3000-300 BC)? The vast network of many empires, states, cities, and societies between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers in modern-day Iraq, had many similarities in their living style. The principal civilizations under Mesopotamia were Sumerians (3000–2300 BCE), Akkadians (2350–2100 BCE), Babylonians (1900–1600 BCE), Assyrians (1100–612 BCE), Persians (538–330 BCE). The Babylonians, Assyrians, and Cretans had almost the same clothing style for both men and women. They wore ankle-length rectangle woolly fur or thick fabric, wrapped and knotted around the waist. The torso was either left bare or covered with a mantle. The Sumerians were more fashion-conscious and emphasized more on exaggerated hairstyles, false wigs and beards, and personal grooming. Too fashion-conscious, isn't it? During 880 BC, Assyrians introduced a new garment style. They wore an ankle-length woven tunic with sleeves worn with an embellished mantle (embroidered and tasseled) on one shoulder with a narrow Fringed Scarf. Long and thick fringes indicated higher ranks and shorter, lesser fringes for the king's attendants and no fringes for the lessor rank officials. They preferred wearing hues of purples, blues, and white colors on coarse wools, leather, fine cotton and silks. These costumes were often pleated and richly decorated. They also loved wearing ornaments on the neck, arms, ears, and fingers. In the late 7th century B.C., Persians defeated Babylonians, and their clothing style influenced Mesopotamia in a significant way. Persians contour fitted tanned hide garments introduced the concept of tailoring. They adopted softer and woven fabrics from the tribes they conquered and introduced well-fitted clothing like jackets with set-in sleeves. Isn't it like a fashion revolution? Why was Egyptian civilization (4000-332 BC) considered fashionable? They mainly used woven linen fabric made of plant fibers and avoided sheep wool as it was considered unclean, but used animal leather. Although the footwear made of gold, leather, and woven straws were fashionable, Egyptians preferred to stay barefoot. Gold was a popular metal for making jewelry, belts, and hair accessories in those days. It seems dazzling white color was Egyptians favorite color, but they used other colors too extensively. They had a dedicated color scheme for various causes like pharaohs used blue for wars that represented sky god Amon. Green symbolized the freshness of youth and life, and yellow depicted the sun and gods. They had few sets of palettes which were quite popular in those times like red, blue and white; red, yellow and blue or green, blue and black. Along with clothing, Egyptians had given equal importance to hairstyles, ornaments, and makeup. Only royals wore false beards, while men were generally clean-shaven. They used woolen wigs of red, black, and blue colors. Women often accentuated their hair with accessories like flowers, ribbons, gold clips, ornaments, and headbands. They decorated and protected their eyes from sunlight with heavy eye makeup and applied kohl, green and blue colors on their lids. They painted their face white and used to apply red and orange zest to their lips, cheeks, temple area, and trimmed the eyebrows. These details are evidence that Egyptians truly believed in contemporary living. How did Indus Valley civilization (3300 - 1300 BC) perceive fashion? Another set of fashion-conscious people were from early Indus Valley Civilization, also called Harappan civilization , which was the starting point of the Indian subcontinent's bronze age. This was one of the three dominant cultures of the ancient east, along with Mesopotamia and Egypt around 3300 BC. Although the people were not as fashionable as Egyptians, they had their own style. The clothing was very much in sync with Mesopotamia fashion, thanks to the trade between them! Cotton, jute, silk, and woolen fabrics were used for clothing. Men considered wearing a cloth around their waist (loincloth) in the same manner as dhoti. The head of the tribe wore a long robe on the left shoulder while a long fabric was used as turban-like headgear. Whereas, women wore knee-length skirts with a long shoulder shawl to cover the upper torso. Both men and women adorn jewelry pieces like bead necklaces, bangles, earrings, finger rings, and anklets. Women elaborated on their hairstyles and often used flowers and gold and silver accessories for hair. Much like Egyptian women, Mohen-jo-Daro women also used heavy neckpieces and makeup. They painted their face white, and the lips, cheeks, and temples were tinted red or orange and applied kohl in the eyes. There were many similarities between these three major early East Asian civilizations due to trade. They learned many new skills in making fabric, clothing, hairstyles, accessories, and makeup from each other. They also exported and imported many such items and followed each other's fashion trends. The fashion history of early civilization is not complete without mentioning the trends and styles followed by other cultures such as Minoans (2700-1100BC), Greece (700-53 BC), Rome (50 BC- 476 AD), and Byzantium (315-1453 AD). Soon, I will be coming up with another fad and fable attached to early western civilizations. Till then, happy reading! Information Reference - The Fashion Design Manual

This question often comes to my mind. What need gaps have schools discovered in their curriculum? Why are schools making an effort to teach fashion designing despite many institutions already offering such courses after school? The answer is simple. Teenagers are exceptionally aware in recent times. Most often, they get their fashion tips from social media. So why not teach it at schools formally? How to make teenagers more conscious and well aware of the current trends with formal education? As a teenager, you are keen to learn the basics of fashion and styling to understand the right mix of clothing and accessories to make you look presentable on every occasion. From a career point of view, many institutions and workplaces give a lot of weightage to such applicants. So, it is mandatory to have some knowledge about a well-coordinated appearance. How to be presentable? To look presentable, you require both natural and acquired skills. You can inherit creativity but will need a well-structured knowledge base to learn a skill set. So, how will you obtain the desired expertise? Since most of the information is available online but not presented in a structured form, it has increased the popularity and demand for fashion designing courses. As a result, schools made this as a core subject choice and opened a career option in front of the creative aspirants at a very young age. What is the importance of these structured courses? Being interested in a career in the fashion industry, most organizations look for qualified and trained personnel. Pursuing a career in design will satisfy your creative itch and allow you to become a vital part of the glamour industry. Hitting the right chords is the key to achieve the desired success, and for that, proper knowledge, hard work, and experience are the key factors. The best courses require both skill sets, and schools play an essential role in discovering both at the right age. What do these courses offer? These courses offer a combination of theory and practicals. Theoretical knowledge is essential to understand every detail for making a creative piece. Opting for these courses will help you in many ways. Improve your drawing skills and help you in understanding various combinations of tones, shades, and colors. It will teach you to understand and handle all kinds of fabrics. Design, pattern, and silhouette creation with different types of materials. Enhances your visual imagination and three-dimensional thought process and transforms your ideas into beautiful pieces. It provides insight into the fashion market and will help you evaluate the demands. Keep you updated with emerging and current trends and help in understanding the forecast well in advance. Keep your learning path smooth with the help of various published materials. Allow you to interact with the local artisans and karigars to understand the making process. It provides you opportunities to visit and experience other designers' artwork and assist them at times. The course syllabus includes the introduction of fashion, classification, fashion cycle, trends, forecast, terminology, design types, elements, principles, wardrobe planning, designers' journey, embroideries, drafting, cutting and finishing of fabrics, printing, dyeing, sewing, body measurements, illustrations, textile chemistry (in-depth knowledge of textile, fiber, yarn, construction, weaves, etc.), history of fashion, careers, and care of fabrics. It also includes the fundamentals of styling, e-commerce, marketing, merchandising, and some more business skills. What is the outcome of this structured learning? The outcome is in terms of self-expression, better personality, and confident communication. Own style awareness and unique expression amongst young adults and a deep understanding of different cultures and traditions worldwide. The first definite step towards a fashion career and acquiring different business skills with much clarity. Overall, schools help their students understand their own identity, individuality, self-consciousness, and sense of belongingness, but you should not indulge in discrimination, judgment, and prejudice. Do not ridicule if you come across poor fashion. So, teaching fashion designing in schools has many benefits for creative minds. The most important amongst all is to understand the importance of a well presented and groomed self. Here is a piece of advice to all the aspirants, if your school is offering fashion designing, take it and do not wait until college. Let your creative journey start to get a feeling of a sense of accomplishment at this beautiful age.

"If you hear a voice within you say 'you can't paint,' then by all means paint and that voice will be silenced." - Vincent Van Gogh Dharini Sachin Shah Zaveri from Mumbai proved the saying right by creating a brand that has not only given her an identity but also introduced her to her creative self. Despite being an MBA in Marketing from NMIMS, she built her own space in the creative field and instead of testing the waters of the corporate world, she chose her childhood hobby. A mother of a loving teenager, housewife and entrepreneur, she is proving her mettle in all walks of life. Often, her MBA batchmates would mock her saying "you have wasted a seat... you choose to be a full-time mother and homemaker," and she would retort saying, "Really, it's a 24/7 job. No pay packages and the only perks come in the form of being loved and needed. But wait for it, I am building my brand, my son." And they would all laugh The conversation that enlightened her. She was once in a conversation with her childhood literature teacher who was also her friend, philosopher and guide and the teacher inquired about her life and marriage. It was as if this was the cue she was waiting for to pour her heart out. She said, "It's a joint family. So different from the nuclear family that I come from. Every minute is like crisis management. My heart is always pounding when I open my door wondering what awaits me on the other side. My husband does not listen to me. My father in law does not think my opinion counts. My mother in law is too busy playing household politics. It's like no one knows my worth. Or for that matter even cares about it." After listening to all her whining, the teacher said the golden words, "All girls should be financially independent. Only then will your words bear their weight." Dharini was left pondering.  An argument that made all the difference. The final push came during one of the very heated arguments with her husband. Though it was just a casual argument between a couple, his words impacted her deeply and made her feel helpless. She hated that feeling. He said, "You think money grows on trees. You do not value money. Your father gave it to you too easily. You were treated like a princess and never had to ever look at a price tag. Go out there and see how tough it is to earn a single rupee. I challenge you, if you can earn even a rupee." That was it. Dharini had to do something about it. What he said held a little truth. But she vehemently disagreed with her husband's observation that she did not value money. She kept asking herself "I cannot earn a single rupee? Surely that is not true?. I had to do something. I had to prove to myself more than anybody else. I am worth it. I do not shy away from hard work. I can earn money."  Her teacher's words resonated in her ears, "all girls need to be financially independent." The laughter of her batchmates and everything else made her realise "this is it. I have to figure it out. Do something." And there her search began. A new beginning! "The Secret of Change Is to Focus all of your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new." - Socrates It was teachers day, and her son asked her, "mum, let's give something different to the teachers. Everyone gives them pens and flowers." That's when her creativity came to the fore, and she made a bunch of little petite towel roses. It was certainly something different and useful, and everybody appreciated her creation.   A hobby that made her stand out. Towel styling was something she had picked up as a hobby from her travels across the world with her dad. He was a passionate traveller. She being the only child got into a habit of strolling into the hotel's restaurants looking for entertainment when her parents rested. The napkin fold and towel folding of the housekeeping caught her attention.  She was keen on learning the art, so the kind-hearted hotel staff taught her the skill. It stayed with her. Whenever they had guests for dinner, she would lovingly arrange the table and very proudly do the napkin folds. Mum, Dad and the guests always appreciated that. It became a hobby that brought her appreciation and pleasure. Gradually over the years, she started doing folds for friends and family.  Search Ends Here. Her business idea struck her only a day after that teachers day. She thought to herself, "I am searching for a business of my own. Why not try it with my hobby. Towel styling is not yet seen in the market except in hotels. What if I create something giftable with it?".  She aimed to use everything usable, and without discarding anything, she started styling towels that would become the hero of the arrangement. With this, she created a niche for herself.  It did not require significant capital. Of course, there was always a question mark on how people would accept it. But she decided to do it on orders. She was all ready to try her luck. She thought, "If this clicks, I could be doing something worthwhile; gradually become financially independent." "God helps those who help themselves" - Algernon Sidney. The timing could not have been more suitable. The festival of Ganesh Chaturthi, the auspicious god of new beginnings, was just around the corner. What better time to begin and start her new venture than with creating god himself! Now, all she needed was a brand name, tag line, brand image and a zero cost-effective marketing strategy to get to her target audience. And here her marketing lessons took over. So, who is her target audience? It was evident in her head that her target audience will be those who would appreciate creativity. Who wants something different, exclusive and of designer quality. Most importantly, who believes in no wastage. She created a product line where every part of the gift is usable. She targeted those audiences who would not look at her creation as just towels or compare them with the non-styled towels market prices. She wanted the brand image that emphasised on quality over quantity.  She defined the need for her gifts as hampers. They were for all occasions, right from expecting mothers to childbirth to simple lunches and dinners to housewarmings to birthdays to weddings and anniversaries and even condolences. The list was long. She customised her hampers for every occasion. Each basket developed keeping in mind the receivers likes and choices and aiming to surprise them and make them feel special pleasantly. These were the little bundles of joy for her. D's Gallery The Birth of D's - Twist with the Towels. After a lot of thought, She came up with her brand name D's, that's the short form for Dharini's and added a tag line: Twist with the Towels. Word of mouth and close groups on WhatsApp was her marketing strategy to take the concept further. Also, she decided to stay focussed on quality and design primarily and create something unique and satisfying with and around the towels. It was essential to ensure that the folds held good without the towels getting destroyed. A lot of effort went in at every fold, but the results were very satisfactory. And thus began D's baby steps. The Success Story. Her first proud creation was the Ganesh, the peacock and the Elephant. Then there was no stopping after. Her clients briefed her of the occasion and their desire, and she took up the challenge to create around it with towels. She created various accomplishments such as chocolates, candles, spa items, diapers etc. It all started with a few friends and family encouraging her to do more and offering her business.  Gradually, her hampers started reaching out further. People started loving them and calling in to enquire and place orders. The most satisfactory reviews she got were that her clients loved her creations so much that they did not want to unfold the beautiful folds and instead, kept them for as long as possible. Slowly and steadily and with a lot of hard work, patience and a lot of love from friends and family, D's thrived and kept growing continuously. Dharini plans to sell online and worldwide, but till that time she says, "I am happy just where I am". For enquiries contact her on s_dharini@hotmail.com We, at Fads and Fables, congratulate Dharini for being a source of inspiration in the lives of many creative souls and wish her all the success for her future endeavours.

"Every great design begins with an even better story." - Lorinda Mamo, Designer. Often, you come across the word Design and Designers. These words fascinate you to know more about design professionals and their glamorous life. You end up searching for, 'what is design'? 'What are the different design professions'? 'What do these designers do and how do they perceive ideas'?  What is Design? Design is an organisation of creative thoughts and a vision. There is always a goal or an intent behind designing anything. Most of the creations are non-accidental and consciously designed. The audiences are the soul of the design thinking methodology. The main emphasis is providing the solutions to address a need, a want or a desire. The process of design is entirely user-centric. Is Design an Art or Science? Designing is the amalgamation of art and science. Art is the expression of vision, ideas and feelings, and science is the creation of an object with experience, right tools and techniques. It determines the solutions to the problems and needs. There are many misconceptions about the designing process. Often, people feel that designing something is to make an object aesthetically appealing, but actually, it encourages the audiences to interact with the surroundings effectively.  Invisible design is a great design. "Good design is obvious. Great design is transparent." - Joe Sparano An outstanding design is flawless. It is so natural and interactive that it does not interrupt the process. It is unnoticeable. This principle is particularly true in interactive designs. The rules and elements are well accepted and understood instantly and merged with the natural surroundings like an invisible hand is guiding the colours, shapes, contrast and repetitions. The Design Process. You should always consider the approach to solutions systematically and comprehensively. Excellent research and an informed format will help you organise the process of understanding the problem and will guide you to come up with the perfect solution. It also tells you why people face a specific problem and how the answers derived from a general hypothetical approach that represents the main features. Then experiment the different solutions that explain about the problem and its behaviour. Finally, decide the most reliable method and process for the best solution that satisfies the users' needs. Who are the Design Professionals? Designers are those who have ideas, emotions and experience of life. It is important to remember that all the designers use their necessary art skills to pursue a career in one or the other specialist area. Industrial Designers - They are concerned with the appearance and function of consumer products. Their work is mainly three-dimensional, and the products they design can range from cars, electronics, mobile phones to perfume bottles and toothbrushes. They are familiar with manufacturing processes and the different types of materials to create an innovative product. Graphic Designers - Visual communicators or commercial artists, who design different types of graphics required for print media like posters, stamps, magazines, books, packages and wrapping paper. Also create graphics for a digital medium like websites, social media, blogs and email marketing. They also describe signs and symbols. The aim is always to present information as clearly and attractively as possible. Graphic artists have to combine their artistic experience with technical knowledge. Some may specialise in illustration work and advertising. Textile Designers - They design the fabrics for a variety of purposes from clothes to carpets and must understand the nature of their materials. They acquire technical experience in dyeing, weaving and printing and proficient in dealing with the critical elements in the textile design such as colour, shape, texture and pattern. Interior Designers - They make interior spaces functional, safe and beautiful in homes, offices, restaurants, buildings etc. They determine space requirements and select essential and decorative items such as colours, lighting, materials and furnishings. Fashion Designers - They anticipate the latest fashion trends and design clothes for particular needs. They have a good understanding of the use of fabrics, pattern making and manufacturing processes. They communicate their ideas through illustrations (sketches and drawings). Other types of Designers - Jewellery designers design jewellery. Ceramic designers design and create stunning crockery pieces. Craft Teachers teach different crafts like paper (origami), sand art etc. Art designers for stage, film and television productions design sets and lighting for the production Costume Designers design costumes for stage, films and television. Designers from allied fields of study include architecture, gallery administration, museum administration, and photography. Can designing be tricky? Designs have many facets. Some are effortless and some complex, some succeed and some fail, some are casual, and some are high fashion. Whenever there is something purposely done, someone has designed it. Most often, things are designed with more than one purpose in mind. Altogether, it is a tricky proposition, but you can come up with a great design if you have understood the user's problem, done proper research and experimented with various solutions to settle on the most optimum result. A positive attribute of this profession is that it throws challenges at you, gives you opportunities to create and feel content with the results. However, the design industry has exponential growth worldwide. Professionals who are highly experienced as well as young designers with fresh ideas are sought after. Designers should be good at visual communication, technical, analytical, artistic skills and to some extent, understanding marketing requirements. Acquiring those skills are essential to create your niche and become successful. You must have the required qualifications and most importantly, necessary skills to obtain a good position.

"Shop where you stay, shop where you see smile, shop such so they sustain." ― Amit Kalantri, Wealth of Words Have you ever wondered what makes fashionable women and well-dressed men fascinated about exquisite handloom saris and traditional dress material? They are bowled over by the off-beat texture, vibrant colour, regional flair and homely comfort of those.  Gem of the Indian Cottage Industry Handloom is a noteworthy industry of India in employment generation, heritage and culture preservation of the country, and export. It has a glorious history of worldwide fascination and demand that ruled the International trade and commerce from time immemorial. Handloom is a tradition and a craft handed down from generation to generation. This industry is the most important cottage industry in India with a glorious past.  Historically, weaving, especially of cotton fabrics, has been an essential non-agricultural productive activity in the country. It was an artisan based activity that is not affected by industrialization. Handloom weaving is the most extensive activity in the traditional sector, next only to agriculture. The western imperial Gazetteer of India described that India is famous in the world for its craftsmanship in cotton weaving and dyeing and is the oldest cotton-producing centre of the world. In the art of cloth printing, India had also earned a name for itself. A Timeless Craft Did you know, in 1921, during the excavation work at Harappa, the spindles and spindle whorls were found to indicate that spinning of cotton and wool was very common in Indus Valley Civilization. Spinning and weaving became highly advanced occupations in the Rig Vedic Period. The art of dying and embroidering was also started at that time. A woollen thread called "Varna Sutra" is mentioned in the later Samhitas and Brahmanas of that period. The popularity of Indian Printed cotton fabrics had spread all over the world before the Christian era. Herodotus, the Greek historian, in his Thalia written in the fifth century of the Christian era mentions of Indian cotton in the highest terms." The Indians possess a kind of plant which, instead of fruit, produces wool of fine and better quality than that of sheep, of this the Indians make clothes." It is believed that this period marks the stabilization of costumes design in India. In 711 A.D., when the Mohammedans arrived, they were surprised by the Indian painted and printed cotton fabrics. The famous ancient Indian materials include Mulmul Khas (King's Muslin), Jamdani (figured muslin), Banarasi brocade, Chand-tara, Dhup-chhaon, Mapchar, Morgala, Bulbul chashm, Doshala, Kasaba or Chaddar, Rumal, Kashmir Shawl, Kanikar, Jamawar, Amilkar, Kashida, Phulkar, Bagh, Makmal and other fabrics. You would be amazed to know the Moghul poets have described the scintillating muslin and brocades by various names like Abe-Ravan (running water), Shabnum (morning dew) Sarbatt (Sweet as Sherbat), Bakt-Hawa (woven air) etc. In Arab nations, it was famous as 'Abe Hayat' and in Greece as 'Ganjetica'. Noted historians like Bernier, Tavernier, Voltaire and Daniel Defoe have appreciated the beauty, sensitivity and uses of Indian handlooms. A Source of Opulence Many stories mentioned that gold and silver were brought in loads to India from other countries owing to her textile industry. Indian muslins and chintz were the rages amongst fashionable women in Rome, Dacca, and Paithan. They were the noted centres respectively for muslin, chintz and pitambara.  In 200 B.C., Paithan was the capital of the Satavahana dynasty. They used to export cotton and silks to the great Roman Empire. During the 17th century, "Aurangzebi" designs were introduced by Aurangzeb by patronizing the weavers. The Embargo If you are aware of history, you already know how the British Empire ruined our national enterprises. Since 1813, Indian cotton and silk goods could be sold for a profit in the British market at a price 50-60% lower than the cost incurred to produce British goods. To dump the cloth produced by their Lancashire and mills in India and to prohibit Indian exports to England, British took resort to various restrictive and even brutal measures, including a heavy-duty of 70-80%  ad valorem on Indian fabrics. During 1813 to 1830 India was converted into an importer of cotton goods from England. As if this was not enough, the British rulers even resorted to the barbaric act of chopping off the hands of Indian artisans. The Resilience Nevertheless, this traditional craft of India is alive even today. You would be happy to learn the Indian artisans have stood the test of time and have kept this great craft alive despite various hardships they have had to face. It proves that this traditional craft possesses inherent vitality and great potential. The maintenance of our cultural heritage demands that this legendary art of our country should be preserved. The other historians also consider that India is the birthplace of cotton manufacture, and it is as old as our human civilization. From that time the hand spun yarn and the handwoven cloth has been handed over from one generation to another. The Pattern in the Industry Handloom and handicrafts have played a crucial role in the state economy in providing employment and income generation. As with many other crafts in India, textile weaving and the associated crafts were handed down from generation to generation, the art remaining within the family of the craftsman.  There would be a lengthy apprenticeship with a master weaver, and devotion to duty was mandatory. The effort of the craftsman was a co-operative one. The ownership of the business was hereditary and passed from father to son. At the same time, some form of co-operative guilds protected the craft from the external competition which you would find to date. The Challenge Since the introduction of mills and import of power loom fabrics, in the early 20th century, by the British, the expanding mill and power loom sector in the country has compromised the handloom sector. Despite these restraints, the handlooms and handicrafts sector remains a vital sector in the rural economy. Careful nurturing and an improved expansion plan to face market competition is the immediate and necessary requirement.  The artisans /master craftsmen are creating a distinctive regional identity and characteristics unique to the specific region through their labour oriented methods producing beautiful articles. These methods, expertise and unmatched skills are handed down from one generation to the next one. Design is improved to a certain extent in technique and the use of contemporary fibres. You will note individual weavers and artisans face difficulties in procuring finance, raw material and in marketing as the handloom and handicrafts sector is entirely decentralized. Due to paltry wages, the weavers are also not in a position to invest in learning new methods. They are reluctant to use modern technology and hesitant in product diversification considering the financial constraints. So lacking to earn the minimum wages to survive, they are shifting to other occupations. Only the weavers who produce specialized products, which do not face any threat from the power loom sector or those fabrics, which cannot be economically produced on power looms remained in business. The Scope This sector uses labour-intensive production techniques, with fewer capital requirements, and it is best suited for India and under-developed countries, where labour is abundant and surplus, and capital is scarce. There is no use of modern technology. The profession has the potential to generate massive employment and raise the standard of living of people living below the poverty line. The production is carried out from household premises or in the open as they belong to the cottage industries category. Government Intervention - Post Independence Policy on Handlooms and Handicrafts You would be happy to learn, multiple schemes of the central and state governments are making efforts to construct standard work sheds and common facility centres. A combination of land, labour, capital and entrepreneurial skills are required to manage the economic activity as a singular production unit. In the post-independence era, despite the thrust on heavy and medium industries for the economic development of the country, due importance was also given to village and cottage industries because of the considerable employment potential. Handloom and Handicrafts sectors were the major sectors in terms of employing next only to agriculture. Massive employment generation is best-suited under Indian conditions, where capital is scarce, and technology imports are not affordable by the nation. So the handloom and handicrafts sectors are also best suited to achieve planned objectives of "self-sufficiency" and "self-reliance." Exports are possible if the production cost is minimal and the price is competitive in terms of the market owing to geographical advantage.

"The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing." - Walt Disney Your skills for making any handmade articles can be your strength to develop a business. We are making you aware of the various ways through which to develop a hobby that you enjoy into a business endeavour. We are more specifically explaining how to create a market for your business through the eCommerce platform. To know about the area we have already discussed, go through How To Start Your Handmade Items Business? Most of the companies who are offering customized Website Builders for developing an online presence are relying on SAAS platform for their user's convenience and easily adaptable platforms. SAAS Platform As Website Builders SAAS (Software as a Service) is a complete website solution which offers ready to use website design templates, services like payment and marketing, and a hosted platform. When you use SAAS website builder and hosting, the website updates or any other technical details are automatically managed. The service provider's technical specialists do this. Here are a few SAAS platform with ready to use templates for your reference: Shopify With complete control over your website's navigation, content pages and design, Shopify is a fully-featured WYSIWYG content management system. It offers web-based, drag and drop, website builder that gets your online shop up and running in no time. To host your entire business website on Shopify is an easy and hassle-free option for new business owners. Wix Wix provides a world-class platform to millions of users in close to 200 countries, empowering the people to express themselves and build their strong online presence. Whether you're an entrepreneur, designer, developer, musician, photographer or restaurant owner, you'll find dedicated features to create an eye-catchy professional website and manage your business. Weebly Weebly's drag-and-drop website builder allows everyone from the novice to expert to build their online presence. You can use it for making an online store, a blog website, or create an impressive landing site for potential customers. It is simple, easy to use, and yet offers customization and adapts to your business needs as you grow. WordPress.org WordPress is a content-oriented site builder. You can use this for building a simple blog or even a beautiful full-featured website. However, wordpress.org is not a SAAS platform but offers an open-source for creating a website. You have to buy a domain and hosting services from other providers and build your online presence with the help of many free themes and available plugins. Did you know, 38% of the web is built on WordPress. Bloggers, small businesses, and many big companies use WordPress more than all other options combined. On the other hand, Wordpress.com is a SAAS platform very much offering the same services as other service providers.  WooCommerce It is the world's most popular open-source eCommerce solution. It means you retain full ownership of your store's content and data forever. You will, however, have to run and manage your web hosting. Therefore it does not come under the SAAS platform. Whether you are launching a new business, or taking you existing brick-and-mortar retail online, or developing an online store for clients, use WooCommerce for a store that powerfully blends content and commerce.  Since Woocommerce is an open-source (now owned by WordPress), therefore you will not pay the SAAS monthly fees as you do for other platforms and it will be your responsibility to look after all your customer details which otherwise is taken care of by other SAAS service providers. WooCommerce can be a lot more customizable, which can be useful as you grow and scale your online store.  Domain & Hosting Service Providers Name Cheap - Namecheap.com WPX - wpx.net Blue Host - bluehost.in Big Rock - bigrock.in Godaddy - godaddy.com Useful Designing Software For Contemporary Websites The most visible design element within your website is the design of the content itself. Whatever content structure you choose apt designing helps in its implementation. Selecting the best graphic design software can take your business to the next level. A smart graphic design tool enhances efficiency in addition to putting stunning creativity into real-world design. Here are brief introductions of the four prominent graphic designing software which are making stunning website designing possible: Adobe Photoshop It has become the reference point of image editing and graphic design software. Its numerous design tools for both mobile apps and web, its rich set of typography, its slick user interface and loaded 3D design capabilities makes it the first choice of the web designers. Adobe InDesign It offers excellent capabilities to design stunning magazines, info sheets, and brochures while easily exporting them to PDF or HTML. It supports HTML exporting that helps web developers to export clean and simple codes during the implementation of the website's layout designs. It is ideal for WordPress sites. CorelDraw Graphics Suite It is easy to use and packs some pro-level features and offers a highly accessible interface. It is a bundle of multiple applications software that deliver complete and powerful editing features. Adobe Illustrator It is much more than just a graphic design tool. It is perfect for illustrative artwork, page layouts, corporate logos, website mockups, and covers almost all your requirements. Moreover, it's an industry benchmark in perfect vector creation tools. Canva It is an easy graphic design platform that allows users to create social media graphics, presentations, posters, documents and other visual content in a few clicks. You can choose from many professionally designed templates, and edit the designs and upload your images through a drag and drop interface. The Other Essential Tools For Online Store Once you are on with the display arrangement and the terms and conditions of your products, you need to find a way to sell them against the payments made. These are taken care of by different special category software. Let's understand more about them: Shopping Cart A shopping cart for an online store is the most important element. As on an online retailer's site, it facilitates the purchase of a product or service. It accepts the customer's payment and organizes the distribution of that information to the merchant, payment processor and other parties. Shopping carts usually have collaboration with eCommerce website providers. But if you want to get it separately, then you can always choose from PayUbiz, Razorpay, Instamojo, BillDesk etc. Shipping Partners ECommerce owners actively search for inexpensive and reliable shipping companies so that they can reach their distribution deadlines. Seeking an eCommerce distribution service that has the best sales rate along with competitive pricing is vital for popularity as a brand. Yet you can always find your Shipping Partner like DHL or FedEx directly. E-Marketplace A marketplace like Amazon , Flipkart , and Etsy are ideal initially for developing individual e-market solutions. The Detail Elements Needed For The Website Once you have selected the website builder, you will need the following elements to develop your website: Graphics You would need these to develop the creatives and the infographics. Graphics should engage your customers, but it can connect with relevant customers only when they represent your appropriate business. Content Though the entire website is content, here we are referring to the textual part of it. Simple and lucid content that is direct and explanatory to the audience is a basic requirement. Product Details They are descriptors of the product. Without an easy yet captivating description of the products, the audience will not be curious about trying them. After Sales Service Your reliability and relationship development depends on these. Once a consumer places an order for a pair of woollen gloves and finds that as a misfit for her size, there must be an efficient customer relations team, who should address her issue on how to get it replaced by an appropriate size pair of gloves. Analytics There are ways and means to monitor the nature of the visitors who visit your website. There are ways to gain more specific information like which are the sections of your website that they visited and even how much time they devote for them. These are derived through checking the analytics at the backend. You can always analyze your consumer profile and their preferences to make charts from the analytics. The most popular ones are Google Analytics and Facebook Analytics. Last But Not Least - Digital Marketing  Digital Marketing is an integral part of any business nowadays. Through a well planned Digital Marketing Strategy, you can always create demand for your product and reach out to a wider market. From maintaining a social media presence to carrying out targeted content marketing and search engine optimization for search engine ranking are some of the proven tactics for that. We will discuss those in further detail later on. From Hobby To Business - A Matter Of Initiation So now you can see that with an entire marketing ecosystem around you, with a little confidence and determination, you can always transform your hobby into a rewarding business once you get started.

A woman's will is one of the most potent forces if she is determined to rise above unfavourable circumstances. No social boundaries can come in her path to success. She proves her mantle and eventually succeeds in her planned schedule. Running a small and medium business is not easy, and not a guaranteed path to outshine in society. Still, Rakhshan Zahid made it possible through her journey of empowering other women along with herself.   Education, her first Love! Love for education was the principal reason for her to dream big. She was a bright student all her school and college life and a postgraduate in English Literature. Recently in 2014, she did her MBA in HR and International Business too. Life goes on! Her professional journey started very early while she was pursuing her studies. Tutions from home were her first professional encounter. She then worked for a few small setups before finally pursuing a career in Journalism. She worked for a renowned local English newspaper MP Chronicle as a sub-editor. But that didn't continue for a long time as she prioritized her personal life over professional one.  Raising a young family and other family responsibilities made her quit the corporate world, but not her corporate attitude. While at home, she started designing clothes for family, friends, and acquaintances and then eventually she established her brand, Taraash. She specializes in ethnic and fusion style clothing. Empathy and help each other approach. During her designer's journey, she realized that many women in underprivileged society are very creative and talented, but they do not have the platform to showcase their creativity. She started providing them with job work, and there began her mission of empowering and educating those women. In 2017, she started an NGO, WEES (Women Education Empowerment Society), that works for the upliftment of the underprivileged women of backward areas and helps them join the mainstream. Not only underprivileged, but she believes in empowering fellow women also and encouraging them to work for each other. She made a team of enterprising ladies join her NGO. Under WEES, they exhibit and promote the talent and creativity of less privileged artisans, orphaned girls, and economically underprivileged women at various vital creative platforms and exhibitions. As a logical next step, they started a training centre ANWA, at the Barkhedi, an economically adrift locality to provide education and necessary skills to the less privileged women and help them become self-dependent.  Her life's new chapter. On November 15, 2019, Rakhshan and her team launched an all women's club, Begums of Bhopal, to promote the rich heritage, culture, and Ganga Jamuni Tehzeeb of the city. This club is a revival of a historic women's club made for the prominent women in the British era of Bhopal. She is the president of this prestigious club.  Taraash Collection Rakhshan is very determined to achieve her goals through hard work. She is empathetic towards other women and has received many accolades from well-known organizations for her social work. She is dreaming big for everyone around her and helping them by providing them with the best platforms to exhibit their talents. She believes that each-one-help-one approach will be required in these difficult times and go a long way in helping, collectively face many obstacles and challenges together, with optimism and hope. If you would like to volunteer, participate, or contribute to her causes, visit the website https://www.weesonline.org or email on info@weesonline.org. There is nothing more encouraging and satisfying than being a part of a noble cause.  We at Fads and Fables applaud such courageous and enterprising women of our society and are happy to share their journey as an inspirational story for many.

Do you have products like clothes, home furnishings, accessories, bags, jewellery etc. and you are finding it difficult to sell? Have you tried your hand at digital marketing and yet did not get the desired result? You are not alone. It is a typical problem you as a brand owner will face most often. In many instances, you are a creative mind who has poured your heart into an innovative idea and made a product but may not have considered the market and the buyer. You are trying your hand at marketing with unstructured strategies, thereby restricting your efforts and results. You have many plans, but not all of them are useful. To resolve these familiar problems, you should consider gaining in-depth marketing knowledge. You need to understand the importance of both traditional and digital marketing (not only social media marketing) for your product. Identify the target audience and define the appropriate place and pricing to sell your products effectively. Either you become well versed with marketing and business knowledge, or you seek help from a professional marketer to do it all for you. Is Creative Marketing Required? Yes, Creative Marketing will display the designer's creation to whole-sellers, retailers and finally, consumers. It will not only take your brand to people but also connects them emotionally with your product. The results will depend on the well-prepared strategy and execution of an efficient marketing plan that makes your design accessible and desired. Creation is designing a product, but it also puts across the point of view of the designer and the message you want to give through your creativity. Marketing plays a vital role in conveying your story to the audience, resulting in gaining their trust and loyalty towards your brand. Before creating the product and designing a marketing strategy, it is essential to know your target audience. What is the requirement of such products? Why will they consider your creation when many similar items are available in the market. Would your audience miss your products if you stop selling? How will you decide the medium for advertising? The most challenging aspect is the product display. Where and how your target audience will find your product? Which medium is suitable - Traditional or Digital? As a brand, you can combine both the mediums for effective marketing. Still, more emphasis is on digital in the present times. The youth most desire fashion clothing and accessories, and they spend their maximum time on digital mediums. You can target them on social platforms, search engines and through google and social display ads. Influencer marketing can be another great way to encourage them to buy your products. Traditional mediums like TV, Radio, Magazines and Hoarding can also be beneficial. Understanding the Process. Once you decide on the medium (in your case, digital is the primary marketing medium), then it is essential to make a funnel to break down the process. Before starting the process, ask these questions. What are you going to present in front of the audience? How will you draw their attention? Do they trust you and your brand, and are they transacting? Last but not least, what are they talking about you and your creation after the transaction? Are they advocating?  Start with niche selection followed by content creation in the form of text, graphics or videos. Style Guides are also a necessary piece of content for a creative brand. Search Engine Optimisation (SEO), Social Media, Display Ads and Retargeting ads are the tools to grab buyers attention. Complement this process with excellent communication skills, relevant audience personas and a good strategy. Building trust with buyers using marketing tactics is an advantage that makes them future advocates. Automated email marketing and Influencer marketing are such practices that are urging buyers to transact along with trust-building. Once a potential customer becomes your buyer, then maintaining and nurturing them is very important. Regular feedback, reviews and after-sales services will make them your loyal fans. (To understand the process in detail, please check out - How to Get More Results from the Process of Digital Marketing? ) How will you benefit from Integrated Digital Marketing? People love stories, and compelling stories make no room for doubts. Integrated communication efforts make great tales and boost the chances of getting noticed at every buyer stage to make them become brand advocates. Integrating all digital mediums comprises an emotion that is easy to distinguish at all channels. Create one power-packed bundle from the strategy that has blended all the efforts of effective marketing. Creating a uniform image for buyers to enjoy the journey, you should create a well-integrated, structured and adequately defined marketing plan. Each process should complement the other. Develop a method to unite different digital channels for making a great experience to your audiences.  How will Personal Brand help you in acquiring mass trust? While promoting your brand, it is essential to project yourself as an established designer, who has adequate knowledge about product creation and the respective industry. People would like to interact with you and relate to your emotions behind creating the product they love. Here, you are pitching yourself as a Personal Brand. To become a personal brand, you have to follow a path from learning about the intricacies of designing to working or practising those learnings either for self or others. It is essential to write about your experience as a whole about each process. Consult for other brands and budding talents in your industry to gain exposure and clarity over the subjects and eventually become a mentor or a celebrity/influencer to gain mass trust. Your Personal Brand will become a powerful force for your product brand. It will create a strong position in the industry irrespective of massive competition. Since learning never ends, personal branding follows the circular path of updating and educating yourself and others. Final Consideration Now, you know how to get market attention? Which marketing tactics will work for you to get better results? A well-structured marketing plan is in place and working towards effective integration of the different digital channels. You are also well pitching yourself as a personal brand. But in addition to these efforts, it is most important to create a niche for your brand. Develop excellent communication skills to present your thought process powerfully. Understand the target market segment and entice the customers with your significant digital presence, and you will undoubtedly get desired results. So, as a creative brand owner, get geared or reach out and get help from a professional to aid the process of marketing. Equip your brand with powerful marketing resources and excel to become the leader. Information Reference - Digital Deepak

Every brand owner looks forward to better results in their marketing efforts. These efforts start much before creating the product or even brand identity. You, as a brand owner, should prepare a series of questions and then answer them to bring clarity and structure to your thought process. Ask these questions to yourself.   Why will buyers prefer your product over others? How will you educate them about your product features? What are you going to present in front of the audience?  How will you draw their attention?  How will they trust you and your brand? Will they transact?  Will they become your brand advocate?   To resolve these questions, let's understand the process first. To start the process, first and foremost, we need to have excellent communication skills, audience personas and a good strategy.  Why will buyers prefer your product over others? Buyers will prefer your product over others if they find something different and appealing. Since many people are creating similar products and using the same methods and marketing tactics, therefore, niche selection is essential for the brand. Distinguish yourself from the competitors and play with your strengths. Highlight what different you can offer as a creative brand which other's can't. Become the leader of your narrow segment rather than fighting for a lower position in the broader sector.  How will you educate them about your product features? You will educate them with the help of great content. High-quality content provides consistent engagement. Therefore, it is essential to invest in great content marketing. Well written text copy along with impressive visuals, animations, infographics, videos etc. will make the content apt for sharing on social media, blogs and websites and mark your presence on digital platforms.  What are you going to present in front of the audience?  Style Guides are the relevant pieces of content for a creative brand. If you are offering clothes, then creating style guides is a fantastic way to present the entire range on your website and other platforms. Visitors will get an idea about different styles, sizes, colour combinations and themes that will allow them to shop with ease. You can also create multiple style guides for various occasions like events, weddings, seasons and themes like work, leisure, travel, fitness etc. It can be included in the marketing strategy, as well. How will you draw their attention? Once you have created the high-quality content, then the next step is to present that content to audiences through search engines, social media and display advertisements.  Search Engine Optimisation (SEO): Content Marketing and SEO go hand in hand to derive better results. SEO will enable your content to be recognised by the search engines, where people are looking for similar products. Relevant keywords in your content will provide potential customers to look for the solutions to their problems. That leads to influence them to generate traffic and valuable clicks to your website. Social Media Presence: Another important platform to grab attention is social networking. People spend substantial time on social media for various purposes. Presenting your content on these platforms will increase the reach and direct interaction that will build trust and loyalty amongst potential customers. Constant engagement will establish a community of buyers to perceive your brand in a better way. The target audience can be engaged in the following ways: Brand features and other information. Contests and Promotions. Polls related to your industry. Customer reviews and feedbacks. Event highlights. Giveaways announcements etc. Display Ads: This tool is quite helpful for other engagement tools to target the right audiences. Google display advertisements attract and will bring potential customers to your product page if they are searching for the related product. Similarly, social networking sites like Facebook, Instagram and Twitter will keep displaying your product advertisement. It will divert the traffic to your page or website for better information about the latest product launches, alerts, special offers and promotions at the storefront.  Retargeting Ads: These kinds of advertisements help buyers to make informed decisions after researching well about the product. Such ads target visitors by showing reminder ads to recall your product that offers similar features. In some cases, these ads offer lucrative deals and discounts to revisit the cart, page or website. How will they trust you and your brand? Well-structured marketing strategy, high-quality content and displaying your products and advertisements are instrumental in building the trust of the audiences. This relation between you and the buyer will lead to successful transactions and loyal advocacy in future. At this stage, your products will sell themselves. Reaching such a phase is the dream of many brand owners, and they keep looking for ways to achieve that.  Automated Email Marketing: This is the best practice for building trust as you will continue interacting with your buyer on a one-on-one basis. The personalised attention will give them a chance to understand the product features well and ethics you follow to build a brand. A customised offer conveyed to their emails makes them feel important and urges them to transact. Partnership with Influencers: Earlier brands have only celebrities and models to influence buyers, but the evolution of social media created a niche for many influencers to become the face of a brand. They have become celebrities in their capacity through blogging and numerous followers. Partnering with these influencers will increase your brand awareness and trust factor amongst varying age groups catering to wider audiences.  Will they transact?  You will find buyers in many stages, some will go through the entire process of marketing, and some have gone through the process earlier and now transact impulsively without a second thought. Understanding and acting according to these stages will help you to build a strong presence.   Will they become your brand advocate? Buyers who already transacted are equally important as they can become brand advocates. Maintaining and nurturing them is equally essential as acquiring them. They will take you to the stage where not much marketing efforts are needed to sell your products. Regular monitoring of their reviews and feedback will improve the quality of products and marketing efforts. Since you have already identified your niche and a well-structured marketing plan is in place, it's time to execute it effectively. Pitch yourself as a personal brand and build trust through regular and direct interaction. Develop excellent communication skills to present your thought process powerfully. Understand the target market and establish a strong brand identity. To know more about Digital Marketing, Check out - How To Promote A Creative Brand With Digital Marketing? Information Reference - Digital Deepak

Has your shirt button fallen off or is the seam of your dress ripped? Then for these general and day to day problems, you can't be running to a tailor every time. To quickly fix these issues, it is necessary to keep a sewing box at home. This toolkit is a must-have and should contain all the essential tools in one place for any sewing emergency. A Box With Lots Of Compartments To make this toolset, the first thing you will need is a sewing box, which will be readily available in the market. It would be best if you ask for a sewing box that has separate compartments for reels, needles and other essential tools. In case the sewing box is not available, then any other box that has lots of small or big compartments like a fishing tackle case to keep various items will do. It would help in arranging the kit organised and clutter-free. Once you arrange a sewing box, it is time to start procuring the necessary tools you will need to sew. There are some usual things that every sewing box should contain. A Pair Of Scissors The scissors should be sharp as dull scissors will make your entire experience of sewing a very frustrating one. The outcome of a sharp pair of scissors will be satisfying and will have cleaner lines. Different Types Of Needles Every fabric requires a different type of needle to sew. Hence, the size and sharpness of the needle will depend on what you will be stitching. The sewing kit should have a variety of needles including some blunt-ended needles as those too are required. Some projects need large-sized ones, and some need small. For example, quilting requires round-shaped needles. A Beautiful Pin Holder While you are sewing the fabric, along with needles, you will need plenty of pins to hold edges together for neat and precise stitching. There are many types of pin holders available in the market. You can even make your customised one at home. People generally use traditional fabric pin cushions, but magnetic pin holders are also widely used as they can hold pins as well as needles. A magnetic pin holder is preferred as it can easily attract all stray pins. Colourful Threads No sewing process can be done without threads. Each colour fabric requires a matching string, and the kit is not complete without these vibrant spools. Also, each fabric determines the weight of the thread needed. You will never want to do a project or stitch any ripped seam with only one standard colour. That will undoubtedly make the dress look awful. Many stores sell spools in various colour schemes and many variations within each colour family. They often provide small packages of spools for general use. There are many types of threads available these days like polyester threads for regular stitching, silk threads for embroidery and decorative stitches as well as denim threads for sewing jeans. A Stitch Gauge It is a kind of ruler with a sliding gauge on it. The stitch gauge is used to measure the size of the stitches and also helps you sew straight seams and hems every time. The gauge is used for measuring both the width and height of the stitches with the help of its two parts, i.e. stitches and rows. Since every knitter has a different style of knitting like tight knits or loose stitches, the stitch gauge becomes an essential tool for getting consistent knits. Tailoring Chalk For Marking Some people think that they can stitch or cut a pattern merely with their assumptions rather than with markings and most often than not, end up with an outcome that is a disproportionate and unappealing design. Tailor's chalk is used for marking the fabric for stitching and cutting purposes to get a neat pattern with proper proportions. The chalk can easily be removed from your final design. That makes the Tailor's chalk a must-have tool for the sewing kit. Fray Check Solution Most of the fabrics fray while stitching, and this makes the proportions look untidy. You can apply the fray check solution to the edges of the fabric or thread ends to secure them from fraying. The solution is like a glue that is safe for most of the fabrics. After applying or spraying the solution, let it sit for some time before using. Allow the fabric to dry for better handling completely. Trim off the excess. The convenience of the fray check solution makes it a necessary part of this toolbox. Pinking Shears The pinking shears are a particular type of scissors that cut fabric edges in a zigzag pattern. They have a practical function for cutting woven cloth. Unfinished edges will easily fray, resulting in undone weave and threads coming out quickly. Though the sawtooth pattern does not entirely prevent the fraying, it does limit the length of the frayed thread and minimises damage. The zigzagging is also helpful in giving a neat fold for the round or arch-shaped cuts. However, this is not an essential tool for the sewing kit. But its usage will make your life a whole lot easier. Elastic Puller It is used to pull the elastic through casings, mainly used in the waistband of the garment and is readily available and reasonably priced. If you are working a lot with elastics, then it is required in the toolbox. Seam Ripper It is a small tool used for removing and cutting stitches and is widely used as it helps in removing the wrong stitches or open any stitched part. Once the seam has been undone with the help of seam ripper, you can remove the loose ends and restitch the seam. It is an inexpensive item yet very essential for the sewing kit. Measuring Tape It is a flexible ruler that is used to measure the lengths and distances. It consists of thin, soft material like cloth ribbon or plastic strip with linear-measurement markings in inches and centimetres. It is foldable and can be carried in a pocket or a box toolkit because of its soft material. This tape helps in measuring around curves and corners too. Now that you have collected the essential items for the sewing kit, you are ready to face any sewing emergency or start a new project with ease. This magical toolbox will increase your productivity and will make your sewing experience pleasurable and organised.