Your Instructor

Course Leader

Karishma Singh Kelsey

Karishma Singh Kelsey is a social justice entrepreneur, educator and advocate of ethical trade. Karishma is driven by the need for equitable world systems. Through her own social justive enterprise Karishma created opportunities for social economic empowerment of previously disadvantaged communities using fair trade practices in Taiwan, Vietnam, Thailand, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and now India by building trusting relationships with artisans and communities, one community at a time. Karishma rounds off her work by working with secondary and tertiary students as a teacher of sustainable entrepreneurship and design.

Course curriculum

Each week you will be introduced to key teachings about how to collaborate and craft relationships with artisans.

  • 1

    Introduction

  • 2

    Connect

    • Connect

    • Glossary of Terms - Understanding Key Concepts

    • Take a Moment - Find Your Flow

    • Why Artisanal?

      FREE PREVIEW

    • Mindfulness, Spirituality and Slow Craft with Bandana Tewari

    • Case study: Burberry x Maheshwari Silk

    • Connecting to Textiles

    • Week 1 Reflections
  • 3

    Community

    • Community

    • Third Party Frameworks

    • A Pluriverse Approach with Ashish Kothari

    • Worksheet - Flower of Transformation

    • Case Study: Maara Collective x Bula'bula Arts Aboriginal Corporation

    • Case Study: The Rise & Fall of People Tree

    • People Tree - Reflections Worksheet

    • Crafting Accessories in East Africa

    • Accessories - Reflections Worksheet

    • Week 2 Reflections
  • 4

    Reciprocity

    • Reciprocity

    • Working with Natural Dyes, Seasonal Cycles & Cultural Practice in the Pacific

    • Mindset Check

    • Webinar: A Discussion with Khamir on Handloom Weavers and Kala Cotton

    • Paying Fairly & Setting Prices with Respect

    • Cultural Appropriation & How to Avoid It

    • Red Flags, Green to Go

    • How to Ensure Good Communication

    • Week 3 Reflections
  • 5

    Co-Create

    • Putting it into Practice

    • Week 4 Reflections

    • Project Workbook

    • Workbook (downloadable version)

    • Vision Board

    • On Time

    • My Timeline

    • Closing Blessing ...

This course is for you if...

  • You work with artisan communities or want to.

  • You are ready to unlearn, and challenge existing systems.

  • You want to learn how to build supportive and collaborative relationships with artisans from different worldviews.

  • You want to understand what it means to build a craft-based social enterprise, particularly one that works with global artisan communities.

  • You are passionate about social sustainability and applying it to your work practice.

  • Want to learn from practitioners who have real life experience building and nurturing relationships with artisans communities and Indigenous knowledge holders.

FAQ

  • "When does the course begin?"

    This is now live! You can begin as soon as you enrol. All lessons are online, self-paced.

  • "How long will I have access to the course?"

    You will have access for 3 months starting from your enrolment date. We cap access to encourage you to maintain the momentum. From experience, with 1000+ students having already completed our programs, we find deadlines do help.

  • "How long does the course take to complete?"

    This course has been designed into 4 weeks so we recommend going through the content weekly as it is structured. You can go back to content for as long as you are enrolled in the course.

  • "Is this course still for me even if I'm not working with artisans?"

    Most definitely! Although the course has been designed with individuals working with artisans in mind, it is rich in teachings for anyone interested in understanding this rich and unique aspect of ethical fashion. You'll learn how you can play your part in supporting artisan communities around the globe.

  • "Who can I expect to learn from?"

    Karishma has years of experience working in the social enterprise space, having launched her own craft-focused ethical fashion brand Karishma Design. You will be joined by other experts in this field that will teach you how to work with and empower artisans, what it means to be a social enterprise and much more!