This classic tote bag printed with contemporary kalamkari motifs is an all purpose bag. If you are a student, shopper, beach lover, work in an office or as a home maker, then this bag is suitable for all your needs. The spacious size and sturdy handles makes it good for holding books, papers, files, groceries, beach items, or even a picnic lunch. Hand block printed by artisans in India, traditional yet stylish, a bag just like you and your many roles in life!

The printed fabric is called kalamkari and it was handmade by artisans from Andhra Pradesh in India. The process to produce it is lengthy, requiring approximately 15 different steps, but the end result produces a textile in brilliant earth tones that can be made into beautiful handbags and scarves.

• Measures 12" high x 14" wide x 5" deep with a 12" drop
• Top velcro Closure 
• 2 interior pockets one closes with a zipper and the other with velcro
• Made of 100% Cotton

Handmade in India and fair trade imported.

SIPA artisans craft a variety of high quality products, including baskets handwoven from palm leaves, sustainable wood carvings and Kalamkari textiles. These textiles are designed by printing the cotton textile base with hand-carved wooden blocks using a rainbow of natural vegetable dyes. All the materials used are widely available within India, and SIPA monitors production to ensure that its artisans generate a minimal amount of waste. SIPA also takes an active stance on the environment by regularly planting trees and using eco-friendly packaging material.

"Kalamkari," the process of hand-painting or printing upon cotton textiles with carved wooden blocks, literally means "Pen-work." In Persian, ‘Kalam’ means Pen and ‘Kari’ means Craftsmanship or Work. However, the process is referred to by a variety of different names throughout the world, including pintado in Portuguese, calico or chintz in English, sits by the Dutch and toiles paintes in French. The process of Kalamkari is rather tedious and time consuming. The complete process of producing a bolt of Kalamkari fabric takes about 40-45 days, as there are at least 12-15 stages involved in the process; and nature can easily disrupt the work-flow because of the number of steps that must take place outside.

Click here for more about the Kalamkari printing process