Craft de Quarr: When Northern ethnic handicrafts become a livelihood that sustains communities
Champion cohort 8 (B.E. 2561), helping develop the handicraft skills of Northern ethnic communities and turn them into products that can sell in contemporary markets
Translated from Thai · reviewed by the CF team
Northern Thailand is highly culturally diverse, with many ethnic groups living together. Most have a long-standing heritage of handicrafts, but these skills have not received the attention they deserve among younger generations. Traditional patterns and handicrafts have gradually become less aligned with the tastes of today’s consumers and risk eventually disappearing.
Craft de Quarr joined BC4C in cohort 8 (B.E. 2561), believing that local communities have the potential to produce a wide range of handicrafts and that, with appropriate design, communication and product positioning, these handicrafts can go far in the market. Craft de Quarr therefore helps local communities develop the skills to produce quality goods, while supporting design and market connections. It also develops products under its own brand, involving community members in production.
Craft de Quarr has worked with more than 200 communities, helping strengthen their handicraft production capacity and income. Creating jobs through handicrafts also helps encourage younger generations to stay in their own communities rather than move to cities to find work.