Neeti designs a tunic that is rich in organic elegance. It is sewn with handspun cotton that is dyed with natural indigo. Lateral drawstrings pull into shape the loose fitting blouse, which is adorned with sujani running stitch patterns around the neckline and cuffs.
"Hand crafted pieces adorned with laughter, gossip, shared hopes, whispered secrets and myriad dreams. Each piece embracing vivid tales, some told and some waiting to unfold."
"Ever since I can remember, I have been fascinated by the richness of Indian crafts – I would say the profession chose... me. I come from an army background and hence traveled all over the country. I studied at the Army Public School and went on to pursue a Bachelor's Degree in Fine Arts and later a Masters in Textile Design from National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad.
"Every day is an ongoing process of teaching and learning. I get inspired by the earthy organic elements of nature. I like working with natural materials including fabrics, wood, bamboo, stones, metals, etc. While not working, I love to write stories for children as well as painting.
"In October 2008 I co-founded Sumearth along with other creative professionals in different designing fields. Our mission is to promote sustainable livelihoods by developing a network of designers, social entrepreneurs, producer groups, and market facilitators. We have been actively involved in linking artisan groups in India's countryside with urban markets. The focus is on developing rural entrepreneurs and stakeholders, especially home-based women's enterprises.
"Sumearth derives its name from the Hindi word Samarth, meaning 'able.' The word gave us an opportunity to spell it differently, without losing its original articulation, and so it could also mean 'sum (core) of the earth.' We work with all natural materials and then we do a value addition to it, which then gives us another meaning: 'sum (adding) to earth.'
"Sumearth works with women's group in Bihar specializing in sujani embroidery; woodworkers; leather artisans; appliqué artisans; and hand-block printers in Barmer, Rajasthan, and weavers in Chanderi. To create sujani embroidery, old worn out sarees are piled together and tacked, with the colored threads pulled out from the borders to make quilts and mats. The running stitch motifs depict scenes from daily life and run in concentric circles within the shape to give an interesting quilted pattern. In olden days, sujani embroidery held a place of high esteem and was given as heirlooms at weddings even though these were made from old clothes.
"Sumearth is such a great venture with even better objectives and goals. We love working with a wide range of crafting styles and materials, with the aspiration to harness traditional handlooms, handicrafts, and designs to create income generation opportunities for women.
"We work with approximately 25 to 30 artisans, and we also train women so that once they master their craft, they can go back to their own villages and work from their own homes. My role is to design, as well as to check for quality. The next step is to empower craftspeople by strengthening them with market-led design input and making them partners and stakeholders in our mission.
"I remember a long time back, I was waiting at a shop for some paintings I had taken in for framing, when I heard a singing voice coming from the back room. A young man was busy with a hammer making frames and just I stood for some time watching him, realizing he was really enjoying his work. When I approached him, he told me he loved his work and that his frames were the best ones around and different from others.
"That day I realized that although all frames might look the same to some, to others it does make a difference. And that 'it is not important to do different things, but to do them differently.'
"There can be a lot of traits that describe me, but it is my passion for my work and crafts that define me; they are what make my life interesting and worthwhile. Now, I also sing when I work.
"I am glad to be associated with Novica, because they can help by giving Indian handicrafts a contemporary market platform. Sumearth brings you the buoyancy of life from the heart and hands of embroiders. Handcrafted pieces adorned with laughter, gossip, shared hopes, whispered secrets and myriad dreams. Each piece embracing vivid tales, some told and some waiting to unfold."
All the pieces under Neeti's name feature the Sumearth label.
Only valid on the Normal shipping option for shipments to 48 Lower US states.
Discounted shipping price may not be applied to previous orders.
This item ships with a free artist storycard, so you can remember who you impacted today. Customized gift messages are also available with every order.
We want you to be 100% satified with your order, so if you are not completely happy with your item, you can return it within 60 days of receiving it.
We pack, ship, certify and 100% guarantee the quality of this item. Watch this video to see how.
This item is available for backorder and will ship within 2 to 8 weeks. Artists love to get backorders. Placing a backorder ensures that the artisan will do their best to create and deliver your item to our local office for shipment.
Although we cannot guarantee availability, we do expect to be able to fill the order within the timeframe indicated. But sometimes life happens - special materials may not be immediately available to the artist, or there might be some other circumstance beyond our control that could delay the shipment.
If for any reason we are unable to ship the item within the timeframe indicated, we will notify you.
In the unlikely even that we are unable to ship the item within the timeframe indicated, we will contact you and provide an updated delivery window.
This item has a special shipping flat fee which means that due to bulk, duties, or other special requirements, the item will be shipped to you via one of our special one-rate services. Shipping is only available to the United States (lower 48 States only).
WOMEN
S
M
L
XL
XXL
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
22
BUST
35 - 36
37 - 38
39 - 41
42 - 44
46 - 48
WAIST
27 - 28
29 - 30
31 - 33
34 - 36
38 - 40
HIPS
37 - 38
39 - 40
42 - 43
45 - 46
49 - 50
MEN
S
M
L
XL
XXL
CHEST
36 - 38
39 - 41
42 - 44
46 - 48
50 - 52
WAIST
30 - 32
32 - 34
35 - 37
38 - 41
43 - 45
NECK
14 - 14.5
15 - 15.5
16 - 16.5
17 - 17.5
18 - 18.5
SLEEVE
32.5
33.5
34.5
35.5
36.5
FINDING YOUR SIZE
Take your measurements with the tape measure over your under garments. If your measurements fall between sizes you may prefer the next larger size. Inseam, skirt and dress lengths vary by style and will be listed in the item description. Our sweaters are knit in standard American sizes, however actual measurements vary by style.
BUST / CHEST
Measure around the fullest part of chest under the arms and over the shoulder blades keeping the tape measure level.
WAIST
Measure around the smallest part of the waist keeping the tape measure comfortably loose. Most garments use the low waist measurement noted below.
LOW WAIST
Measure around the body approximately 1.5" below the natural waist (above). This is the area where most pants and skirts actually fit.
HIPS
Standing with your heels together, measure around the fullest part of the body approx 7"-8" below the waist.
NECK
Measure around the base of the neck keeping the tape measure comfortably loose.
SLEEVE
Bend elbow slightly and starting at the center back of the neck, measure across the shoulder, to the elbow and down to the wrist.
INSEAM
Our standard inseam length for women is 32" and 34" for men; however inseam measurements will vary slightly by style.
Belts with buckles are measured in inches that correspond to a waist size however, most people do not wear belts on the waist, they wear them closer to the hips. A buckle belt measurement is take from the end of the "pin" of the buckle to the middle hole on the belt. Generally there are 5 holes for size adjustment, with a 1" space between each, so the middle hole will the be average size of the belt.
For at tie belt (no buckle) measure the belt portion end to end and half of the tie portion. This again is the medium size of the belt.
For a soft fabric tie belt it can be called "1 size fits most" and the entire length of the belt should be measured and listed.
See buckle/tie belt size standards below.
WOMEN
S
M
L
XL
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
22
inches
26 - 30
28 - 32
31 - 35
34 - 38
38 - 42
cm
76 - 86
81.5 - 91.5
86.5 - 96.5
91.5 - 101.5
96.5 - 106.5
+/- tolerance: 0.5 inches or 1.25 cm
MEN
S
M
L
XL
XXL
inches
30 - 34
32 - 36
35 - 39
39 - 43
43 - 47
cm
81.5 - 91.5
86.5 - 96.5
91.5 - 101.5
96.5 - 106.5
109 - 119
+/- tolerance: 0.5 inches or 1.25 cm
Sash tie length
Lay sash/tie out flat away from the garment and measure from end to end.
Belt with buckle
Measure from the end of the pin of the buckle (where it touches the buckle) to the middle hole.
Belt without buckle
Measure from the belt portion end to end and half of the tie portion. This is will give you the medium size of the belt.
Download our printable ring sizing chart to find the perfect fit!
We refer to these items as "discounted wholesale". Such items carry a deeper wholesale discount than other items, and have greater potential to provide your business with healthier resale margins.
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UNICEF Market offers triple win pricing, where YOU the consumer, Children from around the world, and Artisans all benefit.
WIN # 1 You Save!
Handmade goods from developing nations usually pass through a series of intermediaries before being purchased by retail consumers. Each of these intermediaries adds cost to the product, and that cost is passed on to the customer. UNICEF USA partnered with NOVICA, who works directly with artists through their regional offices in Asia, Africa and Latin America, allowing purchases from UNICEF Market to go directly from the artisans to fulfilling customer orders. By skipping steps in the traditional supply chain, you can buy high quality items for less than the regular retail prices.
WIN # 2 Children Benefit!
Each item purchased from UNICEF Market will benefit UNICEF's programs that provide lifesaving nutrition, medicine, education, clean water, emergency relief and more to children in need.
You can learn more about UNICEF's work, on About UNICEF.
WIN # 3 Artisans Profit!
UNICEF Market artisans set their own prices and control their own businesses. UNICEF Market offers artisans a free platform to sell their work throughout the United States.
