ABOUT US
Custom & Curated
Masmara, based out of Bangalore, was started to bring little known rural crafts to a global audience. Masmara acts as a bridge between the rural artist and urban buyers. We strive to present to our customers beautiful hand crafted products which also help sustain and promote good craftsmanship. Masmara also gives the artists support in the product development and design department. With our designing help, the artists contemporize their designs to appeal to a wider audience. Our products are original handmade items that are functional as well as eye-catching. We also collaborate with NGO’s who promote craft based sustainable livelihood projects for women who earlier depended on seasonal agricultural wage labour or migration to cities for work.
Vision and core beliefs
Creating sustainable equitable livelihood opportunities for the marginalised rural communities. Providing consistent all year around work for our artisan groups instead of sporadic seasonal work – resulting in regular income. Respecting the environment by designing products with only eco-friendly renewable resources. Working with locally sourced raw materials. Empowering women to form and lead their own craft groups. People over profits!
Vision and core beliefs
Creating sustainable equitable livelihood opportunities for the marginalised rural communities. Providing consistent all year around work for our artisan groups instead of sporadic seasonal work – resulting in regular income. Respecting the environment by designing products with only eco-friendly renewable resources. Working with locally sourced raw materials. Empowering women to form and lead their own craft groups. People over profits!
Bio
A highly experienced social entrepreneur with 17 years in the field, 12 of which were spent in craft-based industries and 5 in international logistics. Proven success in identifying gaps in supply chains, facilitating skill development, and improving product pricing and marketing strategies for craft groups. Committed to fostering sustainable craft clusters that utilize local resources and talent.
Recognized as a trusted consultant for craft groups, she also serves as a trustee for “Kalike – The Learning Foundation,” which supports educational needs of rural children. As a partner at “The Cottage Collective,” an online platform for artisan-based cottage industries, and “Beeja Botanicals”, a maker of eco-conscious skincare products, the entrepreneur is dedicated to encouraging and supporting sustainable entrepreneurship.
In her free time, she enjoys reading, gardening, and conducting cooking and science experiments with her daughter.
Veena with Bangalore team
Founder , Masmara