12 best Indian handicraft items for purchase online

Since the beginning of time, India has been famous for its traditions. When it comes to cultural and artistic aspects, India features amongst the top rated, culturally rich nations worldwide. The crafts of India are adored and admired by all over the world and left people awestruck. Many people in rural areas still make a living from their artistic creations and India has managed to keep its craftsmen alive as well as its art and handicrafts.

List of 12 Most Amazing Handicrafts of India:

  1. Pashmina Shawls

Pashmina is one of the finest kinds of wool that is fine and luxurious. The textiles it produces are first made by hand in Kashmir. These shawls are crafted from the finest cashmere wool. They are taken into the valleys in Kashmir located in northwestern India in northern India, where they are completely made by hand. Every step, from combing and spinning, to weaving , and finalizing, are done by skilled artisans and craftspeople. The primary center of Pashmina fabric production is in the ancient district of Srinagar. The average time for crafting into making one Pashmina shawl is around 180 hours. They come in gorgeous bright colours and are adorned with beautiful embroidery. They also keep you warm. They are also famous for their softness.

  1. Woodwork

The states that lie in the northern part of India are rich in the history of woodwork. Regions of Punjab have become well-known for their beautiful wooden furniture. Kashmir is known for its unique artefacts made of walnut trees. The artisans from Chhattisgarh specialize in wood crafts, such as masks, doors, windows, doors and sculptures. Jharkhand is renowned in the world of wooden toys, which are usually in pairs. The wood carvings from Goa represent an aesthetic mix that combines Portuguese and Indian culture and the patterns are predominantly floral animals, human and animal figures.

With a wealth of forests Woodwork is a very popular art form across South India. It is mostly done on sandalwood and rosewood. The red sandalwood of Andhra Pradesh is utilized to make small boxes, cutlery and knives made of paper in a variety of styles. Madurai(a City located in Tamil Nadu) is famous because of its beautiful rosewood carvings. Karnataka Karnataka is well-known for its stunning elephants, pictures and furniture made of rosewood. Sandalwood can also be used to create ornamental and utilitarian objects, that are etched with images of flowers, creepers, animals and birds. Beautiful female figurines are made from the Kumbli wood found in Kerala.

  1. Pottery

Pottery is believed to be the sensual form of all the arts. The art of hand-crafted pottery is prevalent in India since the time of the Harappan Civilisation. North India is also known for its various pottery designs that range from colors like brown, orange and light red , in Uttar Pradesh to dark red and black within Himachal Pradesh. The state of Rajasthan, Bikaner is well-known for its painted pottery. Pokhran in its clay has geometric patterns in it, and Alwar due to the Kagzi pottery. The blue pottery from Jaipur can be extremely well-known. The ceramics maker holds a distinct place in the traditional craft practices of India.

  1. Leather

The long-standing tradition of leather craftsmanship in India is proven by the old sages and ascetics. In the past leather was not only utilized to make shoes and clothing, but also for making saddles, bags, caps as well as shields. India is known internationally for its leather goods. Madhya Pradesh is well-known in the field of leather making. There are a variety of leather products made including bags, shoes, and clothes. Maharashtra can be well-known for its leather shoes known as Kolhapuri chappals.

  1. Jute

Jute craftsmen have established an international reputation in the world of handicrafts made from jute. India is a hub for handicrafts made from jute and individuals from across all over the world visit the fairs for handicrafts made from jute to purchase these works of art. West Bengal, Assam and Bihar as the most prominent jute producers are the main players in the market of handicrafts using jute in India.

 

  1. Shell

There are three types of shells that shell handicrafts are produced in India: Conch shells, tortoiseshells and seashells. There are many kinds of items such as bangles, forks, decorative bowls, locket curtains, chandeliers Mirror frames, mats for tables etc. are products made by shell handicrafts. The places located along the shores of the ocean, such as the Gulf of Mannar , Goa, Odisha , etc. are the ideal locations for shell crafts and these artistic items are available in abundance in this area at a cheaper price.

  1. Brass Handicrafts

It is renowned for its durability which is its value when utilized as handicrafts. Brass-based items like Lord Ganesha's image in various poses as well as vases, tabletops ornament boxes, perforated lamps as well as wine glasses and many more are employed in several Indian homes even to this day. The artisans who make brass handicrafts are referred to by the name of "Kansaris". Handicrafts made of brass are usually performed by artisans in Rajasthan.

  1. Bamboo Handicrafts

Handicrafts made using bamboo are among the most environmentally friendly crafts that are made in India. The many items made from bamboo include dolls, baskets, furniture, toys mats, wall hangings, mats, jewellery boxes, crossbows and other things. Bamboo crafts are mostly made by hand in West Bengal, Assam and Tripura.


In the end, we can observe that every area of India has its own distinct handicrafts that add a touch of an appeal to the state and the entire country. The craft's history has been passed down through the generations and there's a need for new ideas and innovations that gives each craft a modern appearance while still preserving the Indian traditions and heritage.

  1. Phulkaris

Phulkari embroidery technique originated from the Punjab region as well as Haryana actually refers to flower work. It was once used to describe embroidery, but later the term "Phulkari'' was restricted to embroidery on shawls or head scarves. It's a type of embroidery that is intricate designs created using vertical horizontal, diagonal and vertical stitches. This entire process is made using silk floss that is yellow or white on cotton khaddar. It starts at the center of the fabric, which is known as "chashm-e-bulbul" and extends over the entire fabric. They're bright and vibrant. Fashion designers of the present are using this technique in their clothes and it's been incorporated into bags, jackets and cushion covers, table mats and slippers, shoes, juttis and children's garments.

  1. Zardozi

Zardozi embroidery involves creating intricate designs made of silver and gold threads and sparkling gemstones, pearls, and other precious gems. Gold-colored intricate designs are made from velvet, silk and even tissue , which is a popular material within the Indian state that is Uttar Pradesh. In the beginning, embroidery was made using pure silver wires and gold leaves. Nowadays, crafters employ a mix of copper wire, the silver polish, or golden polish as well as a silk thread. 

  1. Saris and Silk

Saree, also known as saris, is an elongated cloth that ranges from 4.5 meters to 8 meters that women wrap around their waist and drape one side over their shoulders. The east region of India is also known by its silk-saris, specifically the Baluchari sarees from West Bengal and Mooga and Assam silk from Assam. The saris are available in a variety of shades and look incredibly rich and stunning. Banarasi Saris are among the best sarees available in India and are famous for their silver and gold brocade, zari, fine silk and extravagant embroidery.

Saris are woven as a family custom among the rural areas of South India. Tamil Nadu is famous for the Kanchipuram sarees. Traditional Kanchipuram sarees are now sporting modern-day appearance with fewer designs and introduced new colors. Andhra Pradesh is known for cotton sarees with golden borders and thick phallus, which are found in Gadwal or Kothakota. In Karnataka the cotton saris are made from dark earthy hues. Irkal is a specific sari from Karnataka that is dominated by rich colors like peacock blue, pomegranate red and parrot-green. Maharashtra is known for its Paithani Sarees.

  1. Carpet Weaving

Carpet weaving is an important part of North India. More than 500 carpet production factories have been spotted within the town of Bidohi and has made it one of the top hand-knotted carpet industries located in South Asia. Additionally, Jammu and Kashmir is known for its silk carpets that are made mostly in Srinagar.