She is the answer to all your questions,

The one who knows you better than yourself,

The solution to all your problems,

She is always there when you need her

The soothing hand on your forehead,

The strong support you need to move ahead,

She cries when you cry laughs when you do, she is soft on the inside and strong and focused on the outside

Always by your side, she is called MOM.

“God could not be everywhere and therefore He made mothers”, this Jewish proverb is so true and aptly describes the love, care, concern and sacrifice a mom makes all her life for her baby.

Her world revolves around you, she spends all her waking moments working for you and thinks of only your very best the rest of the time. A selfless role like no other, a Mom plays such an important role in each of our lives. From being the one who brought us to this world, nurtured and cared for us to being the friend, philosopher and guide we always look up to. No matter how much we grow up in age or social standing it is home that we all love to go back to. It is one place where we can just be ourselves, no pretences, no formalities; just pure love and good times that make relationships so strong and important.   

She is always there when you need her. You are the focus of her universe. This Mother’s day make it special for her with words, a gift, a gesture to say Thank you Mom…for being there for me. Here are a few picks that promises to bring a smile to her face:

1. A beautiful handcrafted Kundan work Keychain.

2. Block printed silk cotton saree with a rich zari border and pallu

3. If she loves her books then these colourful and vibrant set of 4 bookmarks are sure to please her.

4. A gift befitting a queen this oxidized necklace with semi-precious stones from the royal collection combines pearls, blue aventurine and amethyst beads.

5. Thisjute wallet with a velvet and leather finish has a mobile pouch at the back and also with a mirror and enough space to keep all your cards.

6. A fancy maroon purse with a kada (bangle) handle, a pendant on the front and silver design is just the gift you were looking for.

7. This is just what you need to tell her that She is the best.

8. Praline Chocolates with soft fillings of fruits, caramel and nuts.

9. Traditional necklace with pearls and golden beads strung together and enhanced with the pendant of the Goddess, this is a traditional piece that is perfect with any ethnic wear.

10. A handmade bunch of flowers arranged in a basket made of banana fibers.

A gift of love, express your love for the woman in your life who has been there for you no matter what. Make sure to spend some quality time with her, it will surely make her day. A very Happy Mother’s Day to all of you. 

Do you own an online store or wish to start one? If the answer to this is a “yes”, then increasing traffic and revenue are definitely a priority. Did you know that spending a little time to write effective product descriptions can actually bring you more traffic and result in increased sales and revenue? Effective product descriptions are a key factor that can actually help you turn your sales figures skywards.

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Online Shopping has come to be the trend of the times. More and more people are now turning to the online world. A huge number of brands, an array of unlimited products from all over the world and all this delivered right to your doorstep at just the click of the mouse. What more could one ask for? You, as a business owner are on green pastures and all you need to do is make a few small changes to reap the benefits of this online shopping revolution. Let us delve a little deeper to know how it can be done.

Why do you need a good product description?

The virtual shopping experience does not allow for feeling and touching a product and thus, the bridges of trust are created solely by the content provided online. The pictures displayed and the information or the product description is what creates the real experience for the customer. The information that you provide is what enables the customer to experience the product. It is important that you create the right picture. This is also essential to make sure that the customer is happy and satisfied when he receives the product physically. With so many products of the same kind available to the customer at just a click, your quality and content is what would make you stand apart from the crowd.

Most online stores have stunning products, great pictures displayed, however, when it comes to the details regarding the products or the product description there is a huge gap that exists between what is available and what is desired.

What you need to do first and foremost is to think like a potential customer. What would you as a potential customer type in your search box and what are your expectations from a website that sells the product is where you need to start from. With a unique copy that is a combination of information and assurance you are actually extending a hand to reach out to your customer. Your copy should be unique and should provide just what the user is looking for, in fact, the search should end right here.

How to write an effective product description?

Now comes the question of how to write an effective and informative product description or copy. Most online users do not actually read through the entire content, they simply prefer to skim through the matter. Only if the content manages to catch the attention and is interesting enough to hold it will he/she go on to read it. Thus, there are a few things that one needs to keep in mind while writing a copy.

#  Understand the fact that the online user has a rather short attention span. Thus, it is important to ensure that the content is short, informative, attractive and concise. Write short sentences rather than long winding sentences. Small paragraphs help to break the matter into short pieces rather than having it all bunched up together. Using bullets to highlight the main features is a good technique.  This will give the prospective customer a clear picture at just a glance.

# Simple and easily understandable language is the key. Using technical jargon would actually scare the customer away. Your customers come from different backgrounds and sections of the society, thus, it is important to cater to the requirements of the individual customer.

# Keep it simple and informative. Do not go overboard with the sales tone. Put yourself in the customer’s shoes and think before you draft your content.

# Good English, perfect grammar and no spelling mistake is the key to a good copy. You are creating an image for your brand of products and thus, attention to detail is extremely important.

# Be transparent. It is important to let the customer know all details regarding the product and the policies of your company. Transparency helps in establishing trust and the customer is also sure that what is promised is what he gets. Make sure that your description answers all the queries of the prospective customer.

# The search engine is the greatest friend online and thus, you need to make sure to incorporate keywords into your copy in a manner that it enhances the value of the message without being too loud. The keywords should be chosen on the basis of their competitiveness and potential. Using a keyword tool would definitely help to cater to the needs of your target audience. However, do not go overboard with the use of keywords. Make sure that the keywords used are relevant to your website and blend naturally with your content.

Take time to work on your content, with well-written and informative product descriptions that cater to the needs of the user you will see that you can make a significant difference to your traffic, sales and revenue.

Moments, pleasant and beautiful, are what make life really worth it. The memories of the lovely moments shared with dear ones are the strong sails that help you sail through the sea of life and the ones that see you through even bad weather. With every little moment of joy, we wish we could freeze it in time forever and ever. We wish to hold on to good times and embed it in time so that we can go back to it as and when we so desire…f only time would stand still and let us savor it all.

With technology gifting us picture and video cameras of various kinds it has become possible to capture the beautiful moments and keep them for life.  Time spent with family, milestones achieved by children, occasions and celebrations; how we wish to hold on to all these and make life a fabulous celebration in itself. The digital cameras have now made it possible to click away and get hundreds of pictures, just plug in and watch yourself and all your dear ones. However, even in the digital age when you can go click-click, the charm of leafing through the sheets of an album that can be physically held in the hand is unmatched. Sitting together over cups of tea and coffee and reliving those golden moments is a joy in itself. These memories frozen in time are in fact like wings to our thoughts that can take us back and forth in time.

Preserving memories in beautiful albums for life can be the best thing to do. Organizing and documenting them appropriately makes it possible to cherish these moments time and again. In fact, when you think of making a personalized   gift to someone special, for someone you care, then a gift like a handmade album or creative and eye catching photo frames that can be kept on your office or bed side are indeed thoughtful ones. A framed picture of the two of you brings back romantic memories of the time spent together.  Family reunion pictures, snaps with children all speak volumes of happiness and togetherness and are treasures for life. Preserve them and you would love the experience of taking a walk back in time.

Here are some exquisite picks that are made just for sweet memories:

Beautiful handmade photo album of 10 pages that allows you to compile the pictures of memories that would forever stay sweet.

Lovely handmade photo frame decorated with delicate quilling flowers. Creativity and beauty at its very best.

Pretty pink circular photo frame, the perfect gift for a girl. Make her feel special with a gift that she would simply love. 

Handmade hanging photo frame embellished with beautiful handmade flowers and glitter. A three in one surprise that will make an ideal gift for someone who is often thought of.

Designer handcrafted photo frame made of mango wood with two beautiful white hearts that complete the romantic mood.

Indulge your loved ones with gifts that are both thoughtful and an expression of your love.  

 Indian handlooms, its beauty and variety have always made the world stand by and take a second look. The beautiful and varied range of fabrics, the intricate weaving, traditional and contemporary designs, there is truly so much in the world of Indian handlooms that never ceases to impress. With the kaleidoscope of colours and textures that are weaved into intricate patterns, there is a surprise waiting for you at every corner.

Indian handlooms have always kept pace with the times and have been able to weave in the traditional with the modern with utmost ease. From traditional designs to the modern day wear the blending of designs with weaving techniques has resulted in each piece being par excellence and a masterpiece in itself. The land is replete with skilled weavers who can weave magic with the strands of thread on their loom.

The villages of India are truly rich with skilled weavers and craftsmen who have learned the trade from their ancestors and have practiced and perfected it for several generations now. They know each thread, each design inside out and this is evident in the unique pieces that they create. Unlike the machine operated looms the creations from a hand operated loom is unparalleled in quality and there is no one piece like the other. With several designers and NGOs taking the lead there has been tremendous value addition to the craftsmanship and the traditional art form has truly moved on to meet the needs and aspirations of the new generation both in India and abroad.

The creations are all a beautiful blend of fabulous colours and designs that match the styles of contemporary India and the world at large. Each of these is a collector’s item and truly an owner’s pride. Indian handlooms have come to be a preferred choice abroad too and thus, form a major part of the exports. What with the style and finish meeting international standards Indian handlooms has touched all new heights in the recent years.

The Sari

The sari is a symbol of the Indian culture. A piece of unstitched cloth that is draped in myriad styles depending on the particular region to which it belongs. The saree has come to be a fabric that depicts perfectly the Indian woman. Style, sensuousness, beauty, grace and fashion all captured in the many folds of fabric is what the sari is all about. The sari has definitely undergone a transformation in recent times and the experimentation by designers and trained hands has only gone on to add to its glamour and beauty. From a traditional heirloom to the modern day work wear, this piece of fabric has transcended beyond physical boundaries and also attracted the attention of the western world, what with celebrities like Oprah Windfrey and Madonna looking gorgeous in the traditional Indian wear.

We have here at Craftsia two women entrepreneurs who have ventured into working with the actual weavers themselves to ensure that the looms create designs that appeal to the fashion conscious women of today. Merging traditional and contemporary designs to find the perfect blend, experimenting with traditional fabrics have all been on their agenda, and the result…absolutely brilliant. With the fashion industry reaching new heights here are some creations that are possessions you would love to have in your wardrobe.

Gaon by Dakshayeni is a brilliant effort in the direction of creating traditional Indian sarees and dress materials in handmade looms by weavers from the Indian villages, infact, she employs mostly women in the process. Here are a few lovely picks from her collection

This beautiful saree in Maslai silk fabric and traditional Kalamkari work is a true masterpiece. An ideal wear for summer, it is evidence of the high quality of fabric and craftsmanship that is prevalent in the villages of India.  

This Gaon sari is completely handwoven with vegetable dye and coloring making it eco-friendly and a pick of today’s generation.

Thamboori silks by Uthra Arvind of Bangalore is the other shop at craftsia that is focused on reviving traditional patterns and colors and blending them with the contemporary making it the choice of the modern woman of today. Block printed tussars, silk cottons, woven tussars and pure silks are Uthra Arvind’s forte and she works with the best weavers in the country to transform her designs into reality.

Tussar silk woven saree in striking blue with woven zari buttas in the body and rich jute in the pallu.

Thamboori Silk cotton saree in dark green and mustard combination and a matching blouse to go with it.

Kurtas

The Kurta is yet another piece of Indian clothing that has come to be a rage in recent times and the garment that makes a stylish fashion statement. With several patterns, designs, fabrics and textures to choose from there is a lot waiting in store for you. Bhushavali’s designs aim at bringing together the traditional and the modern all in one. Each of the pieces is unique in itself and is 100% handloom making it a wonderful gift to someone special.

This 100% cotton top from Bhushavali is hand block printed with natural dyes is a work of art like no other.

A partywear from the collection of Bhushavali, this top is 100% cotton with golden thread detailing and styling that makes it a beautiful piece of garment for your wardrobe.

Each of these garments and fabric is completely hand made on the looms by skilled artisans and craftsmen and truly depicts a slice of India. A piece of Indian culture and traditions to cherish for a life time. 

There is certainly a feel good factor associated with fashion jewels. Maybe it is the pop of the colors, smooth finish of the beads or the creativity behind the intricate designs. Sruthi, a home maker says she accidentally found her love for making fashion jewelry and now there is no stopping her. We are proud to have Sruthi Shyam of Fashion Jewels as our Featured Artist of the week. Read on to hear what she has to say about the various aspects of jewelry design, her dreams and challenges. 

Tell us about yourselves

I am Sruthi Shyam. I am a Home maker. I love Art in almost all forms be it music, dance, paintings,hand works........ Jewelry making is my passion.

What or who inspired you to start jewelry making?

After resigning from my job I had lot of free time and confused about how to use it effectively. Then I saw an AD offering jewelry making. So I thought let me give it a try. Thankfully I got a very good teacher who perfected my Basics. Thus I entered to the world of Jewelry making accidentally. But once i started making my own pieces, I loved the way it evolved, from a simple bead to a beautiful piece. Nowadays I am addicted to it, collecting variety beads, making different pieces etc. 

Which according to you is the biggest challenge in pursuing your passion – finding time, staying committed or coming up with new designs?

The biggest challenge I am facing now is finding good quality materials for Jewelry making. I am sourcing my materials from different places. I want my products to be the best in quality. So I am searching good suppliers with good quality materials at affordable prices.

Staying committed is also challenging but I am enjoying the process. I do have a website where I share my ideas, tutorials, my works and details about other very useful jewelry making websites in internet. So Staying committed is necessary for connecting with your readers.

Who is your best critique?

My friends

Three products from your shop that is close to your heart…

Crystal Beauty Bracelet

Multi Coloured Bead and Crystal Necklace

Beaded Beauty Necklace

Three products from other shops in Craftsia that you like…

Jewelry Box From Farah Creation

Quilled Birthday Card By Miras

Earrings From Stop And Stare

Given a chance to learn something new with respect to jewelry making, what would it be?

I am learning new methods in jewelry making like bead weaving, bead embroidery etc, mainly through books and from internet. If I get a chance to attend class I would love to learn Wire Wrapping.

Share some of your other craft interests, if any.

I make Glass paintings and also do Pencil sketchings.

Tips/suggestions for budding jewelry makers.

Be confident about your designs. Jewelry making is a field where there is ample space for experimenting. You can make beautiful works from things you never thought can be worn as jewelry.

What can we expect to see in Fashion Jewels soon?

I am working on my new set of Bead Embroidery jewelry work.

Thank you Sruthi for your time and your responses. Craftsia wishes you the very best in all your future creative pursuits.