Design for 'An Indian Summer'!

Can you draw/sketch/paint/doodle or such?

If you do,
Hallelujah!
Where have you been?
I need you!

Long time readers of this blog  have been a witness to my many attempts at creating an identity for An Indian Summer. While I am quite talented otherwise (ahem), I am no artist, sadly. And, as this blog gears up for some exciting new ventures, I would like it to have a distinct identity. And that's where You come in! I mean, I do do hope that you will come in and help me out here. Pretty please?

So, calling out to the fabulously talented people who I know read 'An Indian Summer': If you are an artist, a graphic designer or love to paint / draw / sketch, will you please help me create an identity for my blog? A logo. Some icons. All that will proudly showcase your work and announce 'An Indian Summer' brand.

I will be ever so grateful, not to say chirpy like a spring bird and happy like a well fed kitten, if you would do this for me. And to thank you, I would like to send the creator of the selected design a Gift Box. A rapidly growing Gift Box that has personally handpicked gorgeous items for you and your home. And that's not all! Your work will be credited like for ever on this blog's home page, and any other sites/publications where I use your designs. 

[So far in the GiftBox: Chanderi block printed stole, Wood printing blocks, Madhubani paintings, Tribal necklace and earrings, Incense sticks and blue pottery holder in a cute wooden box, andhra leather puppet for the wall, kantha stole/throw and more pretteh tidbits to be added....Ooo, somebody stop me!]    

So how does it work:

1. Click here to read a quick requirements doc. I have put a few relevant details in here. Feel free to send me any other questions that you might have, or, just drop me a note letting me know that you are going to design for the blog (and I'll send virtual kisses back!).

2. You design for the blog! (yippee and yips) and send your design/s to me by August 18th 31st, on the blog's email ID. 

3. I ooh aah over what you all send to me, and then select the one that is the closest to what I would like the identity to be.

4. The creator of the selected design receives an email from me because well, there is this fabulous Thank You Gift Box that I would need to send you, and I would need your shipping address (ships to anywhere in the world)! Wohoo!

5. I also share all the designs I have received in a post, with credits (unless, you specifically ask me not to share your work). So even if I pick up some other design, your work would still be showcased to my fabulous readers. Like forever. In a post. On this blog.

Sounds good? I am all aflutter with anticipation already! 

Send me any questions or thoughts you have via comments or email. And Oh My God, please DO send me some designs, or I would forever be held captive by evil PowerPoint. (Yes, I created the current header in PowerPoint. Designers/Artists: Don't kill me! Just design for me please!)

Psst: Dear readers and blogging friends: I would love it if you could help spread the word! Please share on facebook, twitter and/or your blogs. Thank you!

Much Love

Mr. Blog & Bhavna

Update: Read the latest here!

Pure Ghee Designs

One fine day, I stumbled upon Aditi Prakash's blog/design studio, and spent a good part of the morning going through this super talented designer's vast repertoire of projects. From creating bags in beautiful fabrics, to designing painted furniture to helping design interior details - she has her hands full! The project that impressed me the most was the work that Aditi did for Samode Lodge. She worked with arts and crafts from different parts of India, and translated them beautifully into contemporary interior objects. Have a dekko at her work, and read through her inspiration, in her own words..

Key chains from fabric remnants, Birds using Gond art and patchwork pouches 

Pure Ghee Designs is a research, design and production studio working mainly with traditional crafts. It is named so after a crafts person who brought back a gift of home made ghee (clarified butter) from his village for Aditi. It was the only thing he could think of that was pure, home made and precious. It stands for all things Indian and it appeals equally to urban and rural sensibilities.

Burnt wood birdies and tribal candle stands in metal

 Different art forms on the walls of Samode Lodge. From Gond paintings to mud relief

Leather puppets from Andhra on the walls

Aditi has lived and worked in Hyderabad, Ahmedabad and Delhi - cities that have a rich history and synergetic culture. She loves things hand made and is constantly exploring ways to make space for crafts in our modern lives. She believes in creating products with a soul, products that are powerful antidotes to the big hollow brands of commerce.

Sketches for a fabric wall art in kalamkari

As a child she loved making things and working with her hands. She studied fine arts - sculpture and then specialized in furniture design at NID. She then worked for various NGOs and private organization in the crafts sector giving her the opportunity to explore the length and breadth of the country. She has also curated Indian crafts exhibitions for events in London, Frankfurt and Sri Lanka and was shortlisted for the Young Creative Entrepreneur award last year.

Beautiful and unique metal figurines

Textiles galore!

Gond paintings on the walls

Wood carving from Kalahasti

One of the primary product in Pure Ghee Designs range is the limited edition bag made from traditional textiles. During her travels Aditi was fascinated with the sheer variety and beauty of traditional Indian Textiles. The bags are a celebration of the Indian design aesthetic whether it is fabric from fourth and fifth generation crafts people in Bhuj or kitschy lungis from streets of Hyderabad and Cochin. Every bag has a story to tell. Pure Ghee bags focuses as much about finishing, detailing and quality as they do about aesthetics.

How gorgeous are these bags! I am in love with the indigo one!

Phew! Didn't I say she is one talented designer!?

See more of her work here

And you can reach her at this email

[All images Aditi Prakash]