Cluster Name: Jibran Handicrafts Producer Company Limited
Location: SK Colony, Anantnag, Jammu & Kashmir, India – 192101
Established: December 23, 2022
Focus: Preservation and promotion of Kashmiri textile crafts, specializing in chain stitch embroidery, crewel embroidery, and gabba crafts.
The Jibran Handicrafts Producer Company Limited cluster, based in Anantnag, is a collective of skilled women artisans dedicated to creating high-quality, sustainable handcrafted textiles. The cluster blends traditional Kashmiri craftsmanship with modern eco-conscious practices, producing chain stitch shawls, crewel-embroidered furnishings, and upcycled gabba rugs for local and global markets.
Artisan Count: 500 artisans.
Demographics:
100% women, all local Kashmiri artisans, emphasizing women’s empowerment.
Age range: 18–50 years, including youth trainees and veteran craftswomen.
Skill Levels:
Master Artisans (20%): 100 experts with 10+ years in chain stitch or crewel embroidery.
Skilled Artisans (50%): 250 proficient in one or more crafts, including gabba techniques.
Trainees (30%): 150 new artisans learning through structured training programs.
Chain Stitch Embroidery:
Technique: Intricate looped stitches using an ari (hooked needle) to create paisley, floral, and chinar leaf patterns.
Products: Shawls, stoles, cushion covers, wall hangings.
Materials: Cotton, wool, or silk with high-quality, often natural-dyed threads.
Cultural Value: A hallmark of Kashmiri textile heritage, known for precision and vibrant aesthetics.
Technique: Bold, nature-inspired motifs embroidered with wool threads on cotton or linen.
Products: Curtains, bedspreads, artisanal apparel.
Materials: Locally sourced cotton/linen and natural-dyed wool.
Unique Trait: Durable, colorful designs reflecting Kashmir’s artistic legacy.
Technique: Upcycling old woolen textiles (e.g., blankets) with chain stitch or crewel embroidery.
Products: Rugs, mats, decorative textiles.
Sustainability: Reduces textile waste by repurposing materials, aligning with eco-friendly trends.
Market Appeal: Combines tradition with modern sustainability for eco-conscious consumers.
Workspaces: Dedicated workshops in SK Colony equipped with looms, embroidery tools, and sustainable material stocks, scaled to support 500 artisans.
Training Programs: Regular workshops on advanced techniques, gabba upcycling, and market trends, with a focus on skill development for women.
Sustainability Practices:
Use of organic cotton, wool, and natural dyes.
Waste reduction through gabba craft upcycling.
Supply Chain: Partnerships with local cooperatives for organic materials, reducing costs by ~15%.
Economic Empowerment: Artisans earn 20–30% above local handicraft wage averages, following fair trade principles.
Social Welfare: Health camps and insurance schemes for artisans and families.
Women’s Empowerment: 100% female artisans, with tailored programs for skill enhancement and financial independence.
Youth Engagement: Apprenticeships to preserve crafts among younger women.
Current Channels:
Participation in regional and national craft fairs.
Collaborations with local NGOs and government programs (e.g., Ministry of Textiles’ Cluster Development Programme).
Future Plans:
Launch an e-commerce platform by mid-2025 for global sales.
Secure Geographical Indication (GI) tags for chain stitch and crewel products to enhance authenticity.
Achievements:
Trained 30+ artisans in advanced techniques since 2022 (with plans to scale training for larger workforce).
Gained recognition for sustainable gabba crafts at regional fairs.
Expansion: Grow to 750 artisans by 2027 through outreach in nearby villages, maintaining 100% women participation.
Digital Presence: Launch online store for chain stitch, crewel, and gabba products by mid-2025.
Innovation: Develop new gabba designs using recycled textiles for global sustainable fashion markets.
Certification: Obtain GI tags to boost market value and protect craft authenticity.
Shop: Purchase chain stitch shawls, crewel textiles, or gabba rugs to support women artisans.
Collaborate: Partner for bulk orders, craft exhibitions, or sustainability initiatives.
Visit: Attend workshops or craft fairs in Anantnag to experience the artistry.
Promote: Share Jibran Handicrafts’ mission to preserve Kashmir’s textile heritage and empower women.
Address: Jibran Handicrafts Producer Company Limited, C/O Bashir Ahmad Rangraiz, SK Colony, Anantnag, JK, India – 192101