A cluster is defined as a geographic concentration (a city/town/few adjacent village and their adjoining areas) of units producing near similar products and facing common opportunities and threats. An artisan cluster is defined as geographically concentrated (mostly in villages/townships) household units producing handicraft/handloom products. In a typical cluster, such producers often belong to a traditional community, producing the long-established products for generations. Indeed, many artisan clusters are centuries old Artisan.

About Khetri Cluster:-

Khetri Cluster falls under Rajasthan State in Jhunjhunu district.

The Khetri cluster is able to form 350 plus Artisans & 25 SHGs supporting the strong work force. The mobilization gains momentum day by day. Khetri Cluster is famous for Leather Craft, Dolls and Toys.

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Leather Craft:-

The state of Uttar Pradesh is an important supply source for finished leather and leather products.The Tanneries in Kanpur are known all over the world for the finest quality leather tanned by them. Kanpur and Agra in U.P are the two renowned production/export centre for leather and leather products.While Kanpur is known for leather horse riding equipment, footwear (chappals and shoes), bags and purses, Agra is famous for shoes and shoe, garments etc. Agra is considered to be the biggest footwear-manufacturing centre in India.During Mughal reign, shoe and chappals were manufactured for the royal families.Western shoes were introduced in Agra after the East India Company took over Agra fort. To meet the demand of British soldiers, shoemakers from England were brought to train the local skilled artisans. By the end of World War II, market for Agra shoes expanded within the country and to outside countries like Iran, Iraq and East European countries.

Leather tanning seems to have reached a high stage by 3000 B. C. which use of this wonderful material. The manufacture of leather articles is carried out all over Rajasthan. Shoes made for rural use have a robust strength with bold patterns executed in very bright colours and heavy coarse stitches.Jodhpur and Jaipur is famous for making light, boat-shaped slip-on shoes called mojris. Bikaner is famous for making water bottles with camel hide.

Leather tanning have reached a high stage by 3000 BC. The skins used earlier were of tiger and deer particularly of the dark variety. Even Lord Shiva is clothed in a tiger skin and deer skin was used as a seat by the Brahmans of ancient India. Santiniketan under poet Tagore guidance blazed the trail for the modern decorative leather items, which include current utility articles.

Leather tanning seems to have reached a high stage by 3000 B.C. which paved the way for a wider use of this wonderful material man sought.Because of its wide prevalence in the rural areas, much of the tanning is locally done by indigenous methods which are quite laborious.

Leather tanning seems to have reached a high stage by 3000 B.C. which paved the way for a wider use of this wonderful material man sought.Delhi leather workers make traditional decorative joottis (shoes) and are engaged in general leatherwork.

Raw Materials:-

 
Basic Material :Antelope (sambhar) leather

Decorative Material : Brass, copper metal, beads, thread for embroidery

Colouring Material : Potassium dichromate, aniline, vegetable dyes

Basic Material : Camel leather, shell powder, glue, wood apple.

Decorative Material : Silk or metal embroidery beads.

Colouring Material : Colours.

Basic Material : Sheep skin, goat skin.

Decorative Material : Beads, copper metal, thread for embroidery.

Basic Material : Raw leather, clay, shell powder, glue, colours

Basic Material : Sheep skin, goatskin, antelope (sambhar) leather

Decorative Material : Brass, copper metal, beads, thread for embroidery

Tools:-

Knife, blade and chisel, measuring tape, revolving punch, stitch maker, pricking awl, a pair of scissor, wooden mallet, shoe hammer.

Process:-

Sheepskin or goat skin is first tanned either with tannic acid derived from bark of tree or from potassium dichromate to avoid the decay.It is finished with aniline.Pattern of the shoe or chappal is drawn on a thick paper.This tracing is kept on the leather, which is cut accordingly.To prepare the edges of the leather for sawing, weight and thickness of the hide is considered.If a heavier weight skin is sewn, inner edges to be joined are carefully thinned. Once skived and creased, heavy leathers are handled like light and medium weights. Stitch gauge is used to mark the seams for stitch holes. Lighter the leather, smaller the spaces between the stitches. To give a firm support glue is applied to the flesh or inner side of seam.
The camel leather is firstly softened and stretched over a clay mould made in the required shape.When the leather hardens, the clay is washed away.A kind of gasso work is used for decoration purpose.At first the pattern is drawn on the leather.After this the portion to be ornamented is raised by applying repeatedly a special preparation of shell powder mixed with glue and a kind of wood apple.The risen surface is painted in gold and other colours while the base is coloured black or red to make the shades at the top stand out.
Leather is first softened and then stretched over a clay mould made in the desired shape.When the leather hardens,the clay is washed away. The pattern is first drawn on the leather, then the portion to be ornamented is raised by applying repeatedly a special preparation of shell powder mixed with glue.When surface rises it is painted in gold and other colours while the base is coloured black or red to make the shades at the top stand out.
 

Techniques:-

1.    Softened
2.    Stretched
3.    Hardens

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Dolls and Toys:-

A soft toy is a soft, furry, stuffed toy. They are made in the form of cute animal usually an animal and human.

Raw Materials Used :-

These are manufactured from different raw materials such as fur, felt, polyester fiber, artificial buttons, ribbons and threads to provide in them flawless finish standards.We also offer them in customized finishes as per client’s given specifications.

Process:-

Broaden the Templates:-

You can enlarge the templates by using printer but if it is not possible you can make a paper grid. And then draw the designs on the larger grid while having the pattern on your computer screen.

Prepare the Template:-

One can use Bristol broad to prepare a template.You can paste the paper template to the card and then cut it off.It is better to mark the template with colorful dots to make facial features. Cut out the eyes and other embroidery areas carefully.

Trace the Template onto your fabric:-

You can use tailors chalk, tracing paper or expensive pencils, markers, pencil and crayons for this purpose.Try to sew inside the template line so that the pencil mark is on the seam allowance.

To cut the Pattern pieces:-

You need to cut two of each pattern piece for each toy.Fold the fabric so that the wrong side of the fabric is opposite.Trace the pattern templates on the incorrect side of the fabric.Use a few straight pins to unite the two layers of fabric. Cut out 1/4 inch outside the tracing line.

Sewing:-

You should always sew with the right sides of the fabric facing each other.

Sewing by machine:-

Stitch to the inside of trace line. Stitch all through leaving the opening. Go for an automatic tie off stitch at the beginning and ending. Use a needle to increase the loop then pull the bottom thread end to the top.Tie the two pieces of thread to create a knot flush with the fabric.

Sewing by hand:-

Take a thread of about 3 feet (90cm) and then double your thread and tie a loop at the end.Sew the pieces together using a strong back stitch.Clip the seam allowance on the inside curves Clip close to the stitch line without cutting the seam line threads.

To Turn and to fill:-

You can use a knobbed end of a knitting needle or a pencil as filling stick and then smooth the ends.

Prior to stuffing:-

Mark the facial features and other embroidery marks using template.Press the seam allowance with an iron or by creasing it between your fingernails.

Filling:-

Pull off small pieces of stuffing and push them into the opening Fill the areas like feet, hands, ears.Stuff till you have the softness and fullness you want.Close the opening with a blind stitch.

Features for embroidering:-

You can use a satin stitch or basic back stitch for making eyes, nose mouth and eyebrows.

Techniques:-

1.Broaden the Templates

2.Trace the Template onto your fabric

3.To cut the Pattern pieces

4.Sewing

5.Sewing by machine

6.Sewing by hand

7.To Turn and to fill

8.Prior to stuffing

9.Filling

10.Features for embroidering

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How to Reach:-

The nearest Airport is in Jaipur 184 KM. Jhunjhunu is connected by regular express trains with Delhi and Jaipur and other important tourist centres of the Shekhawati region. Jhunjhunu is well connected by roads with Delhi, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Bikaner and other important tourist centres in the Shekhawati.