About
Our products are designed in Canada in collaboration with Canadian artists and entirely handmade by master artisans using centuries old embroidery and textile techniques. Our products are hand embroidered using 100% hand-dyed wool in a fair trade environment.
Blending modern designs and colours with time-honoured techniques, we strive to create products that are timeless in design, aesthetic appeal and enduring quality.
We practice fair trade production and ensure minimal environmental impact. We partner with small cottage industry artisan families and produce our own designs using traditional dying, weaving, chain stitch Embroidery,
A family business that supports a community
Manzoor Wani began Cashmere Crafts in 1997 as a way to support his family back in Kashmir. His family as well as most of the community were supported by tourism. As the political climate changed, tourism died and Kashmiri were left with few ways to create an income. Importing traditional Kashmir crafts was Manzoors’ inspiration to help his family and community, he brought the beautiful hand-made products to Canada to sell. At first this was challenging- although local stores were wowed by the beautiful designs and amazing craftsmanship the products did not sell. It seemed like the Canadian people were not ready to embrace the traditional items into thier own décor. After many years of roads trips across Canada to see what designers were selling, Manzoor decided to blend traditional ways of making textiles with a Canadian flare. In 2004 Cashmere Crafts began collaborating with Canadian designers to create unique patterns and styles.
Today Cashmere Crafts supports approximately 60 families. These families are farmers and in the off-season, they are able to make a living by creating these rugs and pillows. The supplies are given to the families to take to their homes. Any adult family member can work on the designs; mothers are able to take care of their children and still be able to help support their families. This allows other family members an opportunity to go to school and at the same time empowering the family to support itself. Profits from Cashmere Crafts also go to local schools sponsoring children in getting an education.
Environmentally friendly
Cashmere Crafts has a very minimal impact on the environment. Only natural products like wool and cotton are used. All textiles will last a lifetime because of the chainstitch technique that has been handed down from generation to generation. We are committed to creating decor that looks nice without destroying the environment.