Craft Focus - August/September 2024 (Issue 104)

92 If you have a product you’d like us to test, get in touch via editor@craftfocus.com Craft Focus Editor, Rachel Westall, tries out this stunning botanical print stamping set by The Indian Block Print Co. THE PRODUCT Designed in collaboration with the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford, these wooden printing blocks are inspired by the designs of design pioneer May Morris (1862-1938), and meticulously hand-carved by master craftsmen in Jaipur, India. May Morris was a leading figure in the Arts & Crafts Movement and a key exponent of decorative needlework. She described design as ‘the very essence and soul of beautiful embroidery’. The Ashmolean holds one of the largest repositories of her designs, though few of these have appeared in print or online. As a result, the archive remains a relatively hidden treasure trove. NATURE’S VIBRANT MASTERPIECE HOW TO USE IT Each kit contains everything you need to create a stunning set of handprinted notelets and envelopes inspired by May Morris’ botanical designs, including three wooden printing blocks hand-carved in Jaipur, fabric paints, and a basic printing kit. Each block is carved by hand, making each one an original work of art, crafted from Indian rosewood and treated with mustard seed oil to last a lifetime of crafting. Rachel says, “The colours of the paints and the leafy prints make for stunning notecards. I’ve really enjoyed the process and am thrilled with the results!” THE INDIAN BLOCK PRINT CO. The Indian Block Print Co. Is a most loved provider of Indian block printing supplies and workshops. REASONS TO STOCK • Timeless designs customers will love • Everything you need in the box • Easy to stock and present in store • Beautiful, plastic-free packaging

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