Star Fish Oceanic Block Printed Bag

Bearing an adorable star fish block printed design, this tote bag is crafted from cotton by North Indian artisans. An ideal accessory for your next grocery store or library visit, it features the complex block printing technique, an art which calls for steady movement and meticulous hand and eye coordination. The craft has been passed down generations within families and communities. The process starts with the block design, first drawn on paper and then carved by hand onto wooden blocks which are approximately 18-24cm. The block is dipped in dyes and carefully stamped on fabric. The process is repeated multiple times by skilled hands. Block carving in itself is a precise art requiring years of apprenticeship and done entirely by hand. Each colored pattern is stamped individually onto the fabric. It takes time and skill, as the pattern must be stamped repeatedly across the fabric, color by color. The subtle gaps and overlaps are a beautiful reminder of the beauty of handmade crafts, gi