Hand-Painted Ombre Batik Silk Shawl from Thailand, "Nature's Whisper"

"Hi! My name is Tum. I was born in 1977 in Chiang Mai. I'm the oldest child of a merchant family, but I have always liked art, so I chose to study textiles and jewelry in the Rajamangala University of Technology.

"I participated in various textile projects as a part-time job while studying so that I didn't have to rely on my parents. I can do every step of the process, including designing, painting, pattern making, creating color formulas, and sewing.

"After graduating, my friends and I opened a small hand-painted clothing shop, selling every piece that came from my designs. We expanded our line in various ways, such as participating in the Department of International Trade Promotion, and went to many trade fairs nationwide.

"I moved the shop to the middle of Chiang Mai about six years ago. My friend manages marketing and I manage production. I taught our craftsmen how to draw patterns and a childhood friend helps with the sewing process. My craftsmen can draw and paint. We employ four people; three of them are Burmese and one of them is Thai.

"My products feature various styles. They are contemporary and classic, full of creativity. My inspiration comes from the things that surround me, from useless to valuable things, which I make new patterns from. I refresh my collection every three months, and am still finding new techniques for creating new patterns with unique textures.

"The challenge of my trade is that some customers want accuracy in every piece, but I have to explain to them that it's not easy to achieve consistency with hand-painted work.

"My dream is to participate in some fashion shows. That way, many people will be able to see the designs of my scarves and shawls. I hope that working with you will be a great way to introduce Thai skills and designs to an international market and help our economy grow. Thank you."