Blog by Shakti.ism, a women's empowerment initiative

Every hand-stitched piece from Shakti.ism carries the quiet confidence of someone who knows their craft. One artisan’s work is defined by precision and care.  Each item finished with the kind of detail that only time, practice and love can bring.

There’s a quiet strength in every stitch, a resilience woven into every seam and one artisan’s journey shows us just how powerful needle and thread can truly be. Eighteen years ago, she began crafting with a needle in hand and a heart full of determination.

There is always an ordinary kind of bravery that starts the steady, unseen work of women who stitch dignity back into their lives. One artisan’s story reminds us that every quilt, bag or journal made is more than a product; it is a lifeline, a declaration and an act of hope.

At our partner centre in Rajasthan, one artisan’s journey speaks to the quiet resilience and radiant passion that fuels her every creation. “I have always been a creative person,” she shares. Her roots in painting and crochet laid the foundation, but it was stepping into the world of textile printing that brought her creative spirit to life in new untapped ways.

In the heart of a busy workshop, one artisan has spent the last fifteen years transforming plain fabric into vibrant stories. Armed with her trusty Pantone cards and a set of newly inked printing blocks, she delights in experimenting with fresh hues.    

Screen printing is a centuries-old technique used to transfer designs onto fabrics using a stencil and ink. A fine mesh screen is used to hold the screen in place, and ink is pushed through the open areas of the design using a tool called a squeegee.

Each colour in the design requires a separate screen, making the process both technical and artistic. It’s especially prized for its bold, vibrant results and the ability to reproduce detailed patterns by hand.

Behind every Shakti.ism piece lies the story of an artisan whose hands have helped reshape tradition and in doing so, reshaped her own life. For seven years, this incredible artisan woman  has brought intricate block‐printing to vibrant life, defying expectations in a craft once reserved for men.

At the heart of every Shakti.ism creation lies a story of resilience, love, and unbreakable hope. One artisan in Bangladesh who has dedicated more than a decade to her craft reminds us that each piece we carry into our homes is far more than fabric and thread. It’s the product of hands shaped by hardship, hearts filled with determination, and spirits uplifted by community.

In an age where sustainability is more than a buzzword, consumers are increasingly drawn to eco-friendly products. Yet, lurking behind the green façade of many brands is a disheartening truth: greenwashing. This practice, where companies falsely promote themselves as environmentally or socially responsible, not only misleads well-meaning customers but also perpetuates exploitation in the supply chain.

So how do you, as a conscious consumer, ensure your purchases truly make a difference? By choosing small businesses like Shakti.ism, where transparency and ethical practices are embedded into every step of the process.

SAREETONIN is a saree donation drive that was coordinated by Six Yards Plus. It was started as part of Daan Utsav 2021, and is now a regular feature at Six Yards Plus. The sarees were donated to either go to Goonj for direct donation and further use, or to Shaktiism for upcycling.

This month, we’re lucky to have what I hope is the first of many guest posts by incredible change-makers that are tackling social problems with creative business solutions. First up is my inspiring friend Michelle, who is a co-founder of The Harvest Fund, a US-based nonprofit organisation that helps entrepreneurially-minded, small-scale Zambian female farmers access agricultural innovations and microfinance.