I have recently returned from a trip to Indonesia.  I often travel there to visit friends, to improve my Indonesian language skills, to learn more about batik, natural fabric dyeing and to source new products for my business, VASNAS DESIGNS – Out of the Ordinary. 

VASNAS DESIGNS is situated in Jacaranda House Creative Hub, the latest incarnation for one of Wauchope’s most iconic buildings.  Jacaranda House, 39 Cameron St, was originally built in 1888 as a bank.  Now housing two retail outlets; Vasnas Designs – Out of the Ordinary and Marrang Art – Cultural Creations, Jacaranda House Creative Hub is a space for small art exhibitions, artist discussion groups and creative workshops. 

My business is relatively new, started after I retired from 30 years in public education, 16 of those as a primary school principal.  Believing that it is never too late to change career paths, or to follow your dreams, I started Vasnas Designs, selling my own clothing designs which I either make myself or outsource to Indonesia or India, my own hand-made beaded jewellery, Asian giftware and fabrics and a myriad of other fabulous items.  I also stock works from local artists and artisans.

Connecting cultures through arts has long been important to me.  The last itinerary in Indonesia included Imogiri, a small village near Yogyakarta and Cirebon, a large town on the north-west coast of Java. 

In Imogiri, I worked with Erni Batik Berkah Lestari, a women’s co-operative engaged in the production of batik tulis (hand-drawn batik) often dyed with natural dyes, to produce my naturally dyed silk collection (which is currently in the making). 

Cirebon, a five hour train trip from Yogyakarta, was included in the itinerary, as it is known for particular designs of batik.  As a sea port, the craft techniques and subject matter of Cirebon have been influenced by other cultures, including a strong influence from China.

Everything in VASNAS DESIGNS has been personally sourced or made by me.   Another collaborative range I am currently working on uses a combination of Angela Marr-Grogan’s designs (Marrang Art) and traditional block printing from Jaipur in India, and traditional silver and batik techniques from Indonesia.  A textile tour to India for February, 2016 is also in the planning.  Make sure VASNAS DESIGNS is on your own itinerary for shopping in unique boutique Wauchope.