the making of: tie dye rug

Above, hand-tufting and finishing the natural wool pile—the base of a tie-dye rug—then prepping the rug for dyeing.

After dyeing, rinsing, and blocking, a latex backing is added above. Below, four tie-dye rugs shown side by side—each unique in pattern and color variation—ready for inspection, wrapping and shipping.

one of a finds: XL cinema journal

With the film industry of India’s move to digital vinyl billboards, sadly, the talents of an almost extinct community of Bollywood artists—known for their kitschy, glamorous movie posters and sets—is no longer in high demand.

Once required to produce up to 20 posters a day, this special initiative provides the artists not only a new source of income, but also the opportunity for a slower pace focused on their skills and passion for painting.

In an effort to keep their art alive, each XL cinema journal is made of special white pH neutral handmade paper, reclaimed from cotton rag, and is bound by a canvas cover which is hand-painted and signed by these original masters.

One of a Finds original works are offered one time only as a limited edition for collectors and enthusiasts—the fluorescent lips/eyes painting has a fall 2011 release of 200.

Note: this one of a find will be available mid-October.

one of a finds: fluorescent lips and eyes painting

With the film industry of India’s move to digital vinyl billboards, sadly, the talents of an almost extinct community of Bollywood artists—known for their kitschy, glamorous movie posters and sets—is no longer in high demand.

Once required to produce up to 20 posters a day, this special initiative provides the artists not only a new source of income, but also the opportunity for a slower pace focused on their skills and passion for painting.

In an effort to keep their art alive, each fluorescent lips and eyes painting is a collage of details that takes its inspiration from the most vibrant and colorful vintage posters and is hand-painted and signed by these original masters.

One of a Finds original works are offered one time only as a limited edition for collectors and enthusiasts—the fluorescent lips/eyes painting has a fall 2011 release of 624.

one of a finds: knead it side table

Inspired by the centuries-old red lacquer wood kneading bowls of the Chettiar in Tamil Nadu, India, each knead it side table is handpainted in an optimistic burst of bright calligraphic squiggles and brushstrokes.

The striking designs are hand-painted by artisans in the northwestern state of Rajasthan—one of India’s largest regions—in the city of Jaipur. Their skills were once used to support India’s huge signboard industry, but with the rise in technology these painters have been replaced as companies turn to computer graphics and digitally designed signboards.

One of a Finds are offered one time only in a small reserve for collectors and enthusiasts— this table is from a limited edition of 500.

one of a finds: chapatti rolling pins

Traditionally gifted to Indian women in their wedding dowries, these vintage chapatti rolling pins, or belan, recall the daily ritual of rolling out unleavened dough on a chakla board to prepare the round breads essential to every Indian meal.

Gathered from different states, this collection represents a culinary tour of India. Three black pins from Rajasthan are sized wider for the northern region’s thicker chapatti. Two slender, colorful lacquered pins from the western state of Gujarat shape thin delicate roti. Two brown pins are intricately grooved to achieve the cracker-thin papadum of the southern regions.

While each is authentic, they have been preserved for display as conversation-worthy objects only.

photo by: mckaysavage