Our beautiful handmade paper products that includes notebooks, gift wrapping papers, gift bags and greetings cards are made with love by artisans at Eco-Friendly Papers (EFP) in Jaipur. We visited them on 5th Dec 2012 to talk to the artisans and see how the products are made.
Nancy and I reached EFP office in Jaipur on 5th December around 10 am. After a quick greetings, we left for sanganer to visit the handmade paper factory. In the factory there are about 25 people working, out of that about 10 are women. The workers earn between Rs. 4000 to Rs. 8000 per month, depending on the skill and experience. They work from early morning 6 am to afternoon 2 pm. We spoke with one worker who learned the skill from his brother and has been working in the factory for about 4 years. He is very confident and proud of his work. He is also happy to have daily job so that he can take care of his family in the village. EFP is working with factory management to build water recycling unit to make the handmade paper making more sustainable.
Women working at handmade paper factory
Handmade paper factory
Nancy and Vaibav (EFP) with owner of handmade paper factory
In sanganer we also visited screen printing workshop, where our gift wrapping papers are made. It is a small scale unit run by local entrepreneur and there are 6 people working in printing different designs to make beautiful gift wrapping paper. Here the workers earn between Rs. 4000 to Rs. 7000 per month depending on skills and experience.
Screen printing artisans demonstrating the printing process
Gift wrapping paper with screen printed design
In the afternoon, we visited the production unit in Jaipur, where the finishing work on journals is done. There are about 30 people working and the salaries are between Rs. 4000 (house keeping) to Rs. 20,000 (managing director).
We spoke with Sita, who has been working with EFP for more than 6 years. She comes from very traditional family where women wear scarf to cover their head and face. Initially when she started working at EFP, she was very hesitant to talk to strangers. After about 6 years, she manages 6 people who are making embroidery work on journals and coordinates the work with designers. She is very confident now and spoke very openly how she has changed in the last 6 years. She is also happy that by working at EFP, she could take care of her family and send her son to good school in Jaipur.
EFP artisan Sita
We also spoke with Bhavari, leather artisan who makes covers for our leather journals. Before joining EFP, he used to make leather shoes and because of multinational shoe companies they could not sell their traditional handmade leather shoes. At EFP, he uses his skills to make leather journal covers. He also works as interface between EFP and leather artisans in his village. Once the designs are finalised, he takes the raw material and designs to his village and get the leather covers done by the villagers in their homes. With this several women who are staying home to take care of their children can earn additional income. In total there are about 100 families who are working for EFP remotely from their homes.
Bhavari and team of leather artisans
Leather artisas demonstrating design on leather cover
EFP is also providing medical support for the employees and if there are any marriages in family they provide financial support. In all, people working there are happy being part of EFP family and proud of what they are creating.
