Threads of Wisdom: Artisans' Proverb Bags Weave Stories of Life's Lessons

Recently a group of more-experienced artisans (affectionately known as the "Golden Agers") got together for a thought-provoking event. The subject was proverbs and sayings, words that capture some truths about life. The artisans reminisced about the things they had experienced and seen and had a lively discussion about lessons learned from life.

After sharing their stories, each woman selected her favorite saying, some words of wisdom that she felt made a difference in her life. The goal was to use these words for daily inspiration. The women figured a good way to keep these thoughts close was to put them on cloth bags which they could use daily for shopping and for delivering their embroidery work to their workshop.

All the women embroidered their chosen words of wisdom on cotton bags. They used these bags daily to deliver and pick up their work. Vimla Gupta from Prerna Cooperative said, "The other artisans and even people on the street ask me what is on my bag and what it means. I must have explained it to over 25 people!" Her saying, "Nothing is permanent in this world, not even our troubles" can bring comfort in hard times.

Tara Tiwari from WARE Collective chose to embroider an uplifting "You are the HERO of your own life" on her bag. When the other artisans tried to correct her, saying she should have written Heroine, she responded: "No, it is HERO because like a hero I am independent and efficient in all aspects."

Rajkumari from WARE Collective was pleased and proud when her daughter asked her to make a proverb bag for her to take to work. These nuggets of wisdom are perfect for inspiration today, and for passing down through generations. The artisans' bags are spreading joy and insight wherever they go.