Messages of hope and encouragement have been ringing out from a Ripon retailer to craftsmen and women in Rajasthan.
Liz and Kevin Hill, who own and run clothing and gift shop Karma in Kirkgate, have remained in regular contact with tailors, jewellers and leatherworkers in the north India state, where the majority of the goods they sell are produced.
Throughout the crisis, Liz has been writing messages inside a rainbow heart in the shop window – the latest being: ‘Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.’
Liz Hill, pictured on a visit to Rajasthan with leatherworker Chandra Goyal and his wife Anu (Photograph courtesy Karma, Ripon)
Others include: ‘Follow your dreams, they know the way’ and ‘kindness is free, sprinkle it everywhere.’
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Liz, told The Stray Ferret:
“The vast majority of people have been through a hard time in recent months and we hope that the messages give those who read them a bit of a lift – from passers by, to others many miles away who see them on WhatsApp.”
Kevin, added:
“This technology has enabled us to keep in touch with the leatherworkers, jewellers and tailors in Rajasthan, who make items ranging from handbags, to earrings, rings and dresses made from up-cycled saris. They are more like an extension of our family than suppliers.”
The Hills, who opened their Kirkgate shop in 2017, became lovers of India’s culture and customs when they first visited the sub-continent more than 20 years ago.
They sell goods that are ethically sourced, made and priced and have supported their suppliers during the difficult trading period by providing cash advances ahead of the supply of items, where production and delivery was interrupted because of the pandemic.
