gift guide

Artisan Indira Flores of Mexico binds this pretty journal by hand, using amate paper embedded with dried flower petals for the cover. The journal contains 90 pages of unlined, recycled paper and features a suede binding.

This charming cotton stool by Indian designer Ganpat Mehta is handembroidered by women artisans in Rajasthan, India’s colorful “Land of Kings.” Standing atop acacia wood feet, the stool’s intricate stitching features a mandala - a Hindu representation of the universe and a guide on the path to enlightenment.

Designed by Shashi Sehgal, a lovely cushion cover tells a story of ancient life in India. Herders guided their flocks to graze in lush grasslands bordering the Thar Desert. For coverlets, the women created quilts of layered fabric, stitched by hand in a technique known as gudri-making or hand quilting. This quilted cushion cover is created in the same way of cotton voile.

The motifs are created with block prints, applied by hand in blue on ivory. Neat rows of flowers represent the unbroken lineage of tradition handed down over generations. Finished with piping, the edges are scalloped and the stitching is done by hand.

A zipper at the bottom of the cushion cover opens to insert the cushions.

Designed by Shashi Sehgal, this lovely set of bed linens tells a story of ancient life in India. Herders guided their flocks to graze in lush grasslands bordering the Thar Desert. For coverlets, the women created quilts of layered fabric, stitched by hand in a technique known as gudri-making or hand quilting. This set of quilt and two pillow shams is created in the same way of cotton voile.

The quilt is reversible and the motifs are created with block prints, applied by hand in blue on ivory. One side depicts foliage and flowers in a pattern named "Cool March," for chilly evenings in early spring. On the reverse side as well as the shams, neat rows of flowers represent the unbroken lineage of tradition handed down over generations. Finished with piping, the edges are scalloped and the stitching is done by hand.

A zipper at the bottom of the shams opens them to insert the cushions.