Bags and Shawls

from Local Women's Handicrafts in Kathmandu

Local Women's Handicrafts is one of our favorite collaborators. This fair-trade textile and handicraft collective was founded by Nasreen Sheikh, a brilliant young social activist and entrepreneur who rebelled against the traditional arranged marriage that her parents had in mind. With the assistance of her younger sister Saheen, Nasreen is helping disadvantaged women take control of their own lives by training them to design and produce a range of distinctively Nepalese accessories and by mentoring them in the acquisition of entrepreneurial skills.

Saheen now manages a chic new store on the western edge of Thamel, which has become a tourist favorite (rated #7 of 62 shopping sites listed for Kathmandu by Tripadvisor). If you would like to support LWH or buy wholesale, let us know and we'll put you in touch with this amazing team.

(Read the article about Nasreen in Forbes Magazine!)

Our Nasjola Bag

Save the world!

The Nasjola is our first product marketed collaboratively by Sunrise Pashmina and LWH. It is [sort of] named for Nasreen; jhola is the Nepali word for bag.

Before we commit ourselves to a larger venture with LWH, we are offering a small number of these bags at $24.50, which is close to what we paid for them, including shipping to the States. You could get them a bit cheaper at Nasreen's store, but not much ... certainly not enough to cover your travel expenses.

Please note, however, that we have an $85 minimum purchase policy, so we are hoping you will decide to purchase one or more shawls to stuff into this yummy bag.

Handcrafted Nasjola bag, with zippered pocket inside. Dimensions: 37 x 6.35 x 28 cm ( 14.5 x 2.5 x 11 inches). Exact dimensions and design details vary somewhat.

Price: $24.50

Price: $70 (Remember that Sunrise has an $80 minimum purchase requirement)

The Kadai shawl is woven from sheep wool and embroidered using hand-controlled treadle sewing machines.We have two different patterns, the Aago and the Bagaincha.

Price: $105