When Myrtha took her husband and children to visit
her birth place near Bali, Indonesia, she was reminded
of the simpler and less-harried
days of her childhood. Where time is marked not by the
beeping digital watches and PDAs but by sunrise and
sunset. Where going to market does not bring up visions
of long register lines and choosing between a hundred
cereal brands but of watching live fish flip and turn
as the fishermen pull in their catch at the pier. Where
playtime was not about sitting in front of an X-Box
but more of racing up a coconut tree, catching crabs
or collecting dried seagrass to make straw puppets.
This quiet, peaceful island is also known to Western
tourists as the Island of
the Gods for its beauty and richness
and its strong connection to art. Many artists draw
their inspiration from the endless color and drama of
Balinese daily life. Yan Suryana - a Balinese painter
who has exhibited in Europe and the U.S. enthuses, "Wherever
you look, there is art. It is in everything - in the
dances, the ceremonies, the offerings. Bali is living
art."
The paradise island summer trip inspired Myrtha to
bring a piece of Bali back to her home, family and friends
in Newton, Massachusetts.
Today, Bali Serena has brought the beautiful artistic
handicrafts of Bali to high-end boutiques in Newton,
Wellesley, Concord, Marblehead in Massachusetts and
other towns in Vermont and Maine. Through the www.BaliSerena.com
web site, customers from all over the world can now
also get a taste of the simple beauty of Bali and its
handicrafts.
About Bali Serena Products
Our
products are made of natural materials and handcrafted
by Balinese artisans using traditional methods. Our
Sarina bagfor example is handcrafted from seagrass that is gently
boiled and carefully treated, then woven by hand using
traditional basketry and weaving techniques. The resulting
product is soft, "does not scratch"
as our customers like to say, and lined with a soft
cotton or silk drawstring lining. The finished product
is functional, roomy and artistic. Our sandals
are also handcrafted work of art. Each bead, each sequin
is
masterfully sewn on using clear double nylon thread.
This elaborate beading craftsmanship is more than a
vocation; it is a craft and an art that many Balinese
artists begin as children and master as an art as adults.
Watching them practice this cultural and traditional
art is as fascinating as admiring the finished product
itself.
The Lotus Collection and the
Flower Drum Collection
This little known minority ethnic group has its
own language and customs dating back thousands of years,
yet their exquisite embroidery skills are relatively
unknown outside their own people. We happened on them
during our travels in this beautiful, isolated hill
country. Using a combination of our own designs,
traditional Miao patterns, and the expert sewing skills
of the local women, we have put together the following
four collections whose popularity spans cultures and
generations.
When you purchase a Bali
Serena product, your
patronage helps support the rich
and artistic heritage of the Balinese
and Miao ethnic groups.
less-harried
days of her childhood. Where time is marked not by the
beeping digital watches and PDAs but by sunrise and
sunset. Where going to market does not bring up visions
of long register lines and choosing between a hundred
cereal brands but of watching live fish flip and turn
as the fishermen pull in their catch at the pier. Where
playtime was not about sitting in front of an X-Box
but more of racing up a coconut tree, catching crabs
or collecting dried seagrass to make straw puppets.
Our
products are made of natural materials and handcrafted
by Balinese artisans using traditional methods. Our
masterfully sewn on using clear double nylon thread.
This elaborate beading craftsmanship is more than a
vocation; it is a craft and an art that many Balinese
artists begin as children and master as an art as adults.
Watching them practice this cultural and traditional
art is as fascinating as admiring the finished product
itself.
