Island Craft.

Island Craft connects traditional craftspeople to modern designers. The result is some cool and creative home furnishings and fabrics at quite affordable prices.

The Stuff

We normally start with the stuff. For example, these are woven bears on a Dumbara style chair. 

What’s unique about Island Living, however, is that each piece has a story behind it. These bears, for example are hand-woven by women from Mullativu who had been weaving smaller pieces (socks and those hats Sri Lankans put on babies) until people from AOD had the idea to make bigger pieces like this and wraps, etc.

These masks (Rs. 1,000) are takes on the traditional Sri Lankan demon mask style. The ones below are actually boxes that you can keep stuff in. These are made by the Hirukirana Folk Art Center in Bentota, basically a father and son operation.

Painted elephants are a classic Sri Lankan gift, but they’re usually a riot of colors. These ones by Nirmala Handicrafts of Galle tries a different stroke – painting them all solid. Through Island Crafts connections they’ve also started selling these on Sri Lankan airlines. You can get them in store for Rs. 370 to 1,925.

This is a close-up of a wastepaper basket (Rs. 2000-3000) made by Earthbound Creations from Peradeniya. Sagara, the owner, collects old newspapers and magazines and works them to create solid and fascinating boxes, bowls and even elephants.

The shop also has a range of saris from Rs. 6,500 to 8,500 from handloom weavers on the East Coast in the Divulapitiya village in Gampaha. They have more expensive (around Rs. 10,000) batik saris and beach wraps, throws etc.

In terms of goods and prices alone we think this is a nice place to gift shop, especially for tourists, but what sets Island Craft apart is the story. Which we’ll get into more below.

The Service

Normally this section covers customer service. In our case Michele, who does business development was showing us around. The gentleman who seems permanently in the shop knows the prices better but he may not be able to relate the stories as well. We’ll ask them if they could maybe put some written material next to things, because the sourcing and origins of these items is the most interesting thing.

What we’d also like to discuss here is the service to the community. People all across in Sri Lanka make amazing things, but they may not be able to market them to the maximum. Island Craft steps in by A) connecting craftspeople with designers and B) connecting those products with local and international hotels, shops, etc.

At the shop you see the results, but the real sales are in bulk to hotels and the like. If this process keeps growing, Island Craft can really contribute to gainful employment across the island.

The Location

The Island Craft shop is just next to the Academy Of Design on Duplication Road, just past Bauddhaloka Mawatha. It’s a small space but it’s full of interesting stuff and fun to wander around.

Conclusion

Island Craft is a fun place to shop because there’s a story behind every piece. They work with local craft-people and trained designers to produce creative traditional houseware and fabrics. The main business is actually sales to big hotels and shops, but you can get individual pieces at pretty good rates here.

Share on facebook
Share on twitter
Share on whatsapp

Highlights.

Latest.

KAMU.

Tenkū – a hidden Gem of the Japanese Cuisine

By Vimasha Weerawansha Ambience  The Kingsbury Rooftop offers a breathtaking panorama of the cityscape and

Highlights Kamu

Discovering Kamikura: A Journey into Authentic Japanese Cuisine

dBy Sharon Nonis Welcome to Kamikura, where the essence of Japanese cuisine meets the heart

Kamu

Full’R Burgers is Flipping into Maharagama

by Vimasha Vishvadari If you're on the lookout for the ideal burger spot in the

Kamu

Yi Jing Unveiled: Sri Lanka’s Top Chinese Dining at ITC Ratnadipa Blends Tradition with Modern Flair

By Poornima Bandara Yi Jing Unveiled: Sri Lanka’s Premier Chinese Dining Experience at ITC Ratnadipa

Highlights Kamu

Seafood Watti Rice: A Flavorful Feast from Fathi’s Spice Attic

Watti Rice is a delightful Sri Lankan dish that combines various meats, such as seafood

Highlights Kamu

Shahi Mughal Dastarkhwan — An aromatic journey to the Mughal Era 

By Shamrina Carim From the Royal Kitchens of the Mughal Empire Chef Asif Qureshi, a

Highlights Kamu

Trending.

A Cup Of Kindness: Brewing Compassion At Courtyard By Marriott Colombo

On September 6th, from 10 AM to 7 PM, Tito’s Café at the Courtyard by

Trending

Soul of Seychelles at The Kingsbury, Colombo

This August, we are thrilled to bring the flavours and music of Seychelles to The

Trending

Radisson Hotels Sri Lanka to Unveil “Nizam’s Feast – A Royal Hyderabadi Banquet” Across Colombo, Galle, and Kandy

Radisson Hotels Sri Lanka is excited to present an exclusive culinary journey, “Nizam’s Feast –

Trending

The Barn House Studio partner with Thema Collection & Control Union to Lead SL’s Low-Carbon Revolution

The Barn House Studio and Sherwood by The Barn, in collaboration with Thema Collection and

Trending

MSI සමාගම MGA 2024 සඳහා මාර්ගගත ලියාපදිංචි වීම එළිදක්වයි. 

ලෝකයේ ප්‍රමුඛතම ගේමිං සන්නාමයක් වන MSI සමාගම හරහා පවත්වනු ලබන, 2010 දී ආරම්භ වූ, MGA

Sinhala Trending

පාරිභෝගික අත්දැකීම පළමුව! ලැප්ටොප් අධිරාජ්‍යයක් ගොඩ නැගීමේ MSI සමාගමේ 20 වසරක සාඩම්බර චාරිකාව!

ලැප්ටොප් අධිරාජ්‍යයක් ගොඩ නැගීමේ MSI සමාගමේ 20 වසරක සාඩම්බර චාරිකාව! පාරිභෝගිකයන් වටහා ගැනීම මත ගොඩ

Sinhala Trending

Yamu Guide.

Top Restaurants with the best Cashback offers from Mintpay

With Mintpay, have a gastronomic journey and earn cashback rewards as you go! Every taste

Highlights Yamu Guide

10 Places To Celebrate Father’s Day 2024

By Fathima Rukaiya, Father’s Day is a special occasion dedicated to honoring fathers and celebrating

Highlights Yamu Guide

Top 10 Places to Work or Study in Colombo in 2024

By Fathima Rukaiya Hey there! Feeling the walls closing in at home while you work

Highlights Yamu Guide

Celebrate Mother’s Day with Shirohana

by Fathima Rukaiya, Mother's Day, a special occasion to honor mothers and motherhood, is celebrated

Highlights Yamu Guide

Steak Bar: A Grand Sunday Brunch at Kingsbury, Colombo

Written by Shamrina C Welcome to the ultimate brunch experience! Nestled in the heart of

Highlights Kamu Yamu Guide

9 Special Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas for Him

By Fathima Rukaiya Are you trying to find the perfect way to show your special

Highlights Yamu Guide