Well Off Handmade

Down here in Iringal, Vatakara, things move a little slower. Well Off Handmade is based out of our small space near the post office. We spend most of our time working with our hands. Whether it’s weaving or crafting, there is always something to be done. It’s not a factory. It’s more like a workshop where a few of us sit and create things. We use local materials when we can. The air is usually thick with the smell of wood or natural fibers. We don't have a big sign out front. People know where we are. We get letters at the P.O. box from people far away asking for our work. It’s a lot of sitting and focusing on the details. My eyes get tired by evening, so we usually stop when the sun goes down. We don't have many machines, just the tools we’ve used for years. It’s a quiet way to make a living. Sometimes the neighbors come by to help or just to watch us work. We don't have a website or anything like that. We just focus on making things that won't fall apart. It’s about the process and taking the time to do it right. We aren't in a hurry to grow big. We just want to keep making things with our hands in our own village, living simply.