Asha Handicrafts, Mumbai

Our place is located in Bhuigaon, which is part of the Vasai area in the Thane district. It’s a bit of a journey to get here from Mumbai, but it’s much more peaceful than the city. We are in the Samni area, near the post office. At Asha Handicrafts, Mumbai, we spend our days working with various materials and handmade goods. It’s a very hands-on kind of job. The workshop isn't air-conditioned or anything, so we just keep the windows open to catch the breeze. You can hear the birds and the local traffic outside, which is mostly just scooters and the occasional truck. We’ve been here for years, and the people who work with us are mostly locals from the surrounding villages. We don't really use big machines; it’s mostly tools and our own hands. It’s a slow process sometimes, but that’s just how handicrafts work. We don't have a big marketing team or anyone like that. Usually, it's just us packing things up and getting them ready to be sent out. The post office is close by, which is convenient for our shipping needs. We take a long break in the afternoon when it gets really hot. It’s a simple life out here in Bhuigaon, and we’re quite happy with the way things are. We just focus on making things that look nice and hope people find a use for them in Maharashtra or elsewhere.