CENTRAL ASIA CRAFTS SUPPORT ASSOCIATION S RESOURCE CENTER IN KYRGYZSTAN

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Bryce Ellis
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1 CENTRAL ASIA CRAFTS SUPPORT ASSOCIATION S RESOURCE CENTER IN KYRGYZSTAN Achievements of the women groups in Naryn oblast within the project Improving Livelihoods of Smallholders and Rural Women through Value-Added Processing and Exports of Cashmere, Wool and Mohair, IFAD Grant January September 2012

Increasing the competitiveness of products produced by

professional skills is very important to achieve good

In the previous years, on-site trainings were conducted

In 2012 upgrading coursespractical fellowships were

in Bishkek were provided for the most capable and

taking into consideration the results of the pilot groups

pilot groups members; all in all 25 women had practical

During the fellowships the artisans improved their

2 Increasing the competitiveness of products produced by the pilot groups Training of artisans improving their professional skills is very important to achieve good quality and competitiveness of their products. In the previous years, on-site trainings were conducted for all members of the pilot groups in their villages. In 2012 upgrading coursespractical fellowships were organized for successful artisans in Bishkek Fellowships in Bishkek were provided for the most capable and successful artisans (5 women from each pilot group), taking into consideration the results of the pilot groups activities monitoring and analyzing the profiles of the pilot groups members; all in all 25 women had practical fellowships in March-April During the fellowships the artisans improved their knowledge and skills in design, color combination and techniques of scarf production. Beginning of practical classes for Min Bulak artisans assessment of wool, selection of raw materials. Min-Bulak artisans with their products produced during the fellowship

3 Increasing the competitiveness of products produced by the pilot groups Practical fellowship for artisans from Kulanak village Fellowship of artisans from Acha-Kaindy village

4 Increasing the competitiveness of products produced by the pilot groups Fellowship of artisans from At-Bashy village Fellowship of artisans from Lakhol village

Increasing the competitiveness of products produced by the pilot groups Development of new product samples Designer Kamala Abdykadyrova has been involved in the project since May 2012 for 5 months;

5 Increasing the competitiveness of products produced by the pilot groups Development of new product samples Designer Kamala Abdykadyrova has been involved in the project since May 2012 for 5 months; she is responsible for the development of design samples, expertise of raw materials, preparation of methodical and visual aids, consultation of artisans, quality control of products. The use of samples and aids is very efficient, because design and color combinations are the weakest point of the artisans from the project groups. The artisans just have to follow exactly the instructions and samples prepared by the designer, thus considerably improving their products competitiveness. Samples of scarves designed by Kamala and made by the project participants

the models of felt slippers produced in mixed technique: stitched felt

In the reported period, shoe-forms of different size (size 36 42) were

The forms were ordered in China according to the sample achieved by hand

The artisans develop pproduction of slippers from their own felt made on

Several of the felt slippers produced by the group are of similar quality

6 Increasing the competitiveness of products produced by the pilot groups Development of new product samples The work was continued on improving the models of felt slippers produced in mixed technique: stitched felt with further felting on shoe-forms. In the reported period, shoe-forms of different size (size 36 42) were purchased for each group. The forms were ordered in China according to the sample achieved by hand processing of a shoe-form. The artisans develop pproduction of slippers from their own felt made on the felting machine from felt supplied by Asia-Runo factory. Several of the felt slippers produced by the group are of similar quality as the Danish sample provided for by Dr. Brent. In the reported period, a new model of stitched felt slippers has been elaborated, which can be produced by the pilot groups in winter time when it is impossible to make felting.

Liba Brent, Svetlana Balalaeva and designer Kamala Abdykadyrova made and

Naryn rayon; At- Bashy and Acha-Kaindy villages of th At-Bashy rayon.

and severe winter, all the groups have produced quite a big collection of

During the mission, all the products were thoroughly examined in terms of

7 Increasing the competitiveness of products produced by the pilot groups Monitoring of the pilot groups activities In May 2012, Dr. Liba Brent, Svetlana Balalaeva and designer Kamala Abdykadyrova made and inspection mission to Naryn oblast with the aim to conduct monitoring of the pilot groups activities. We visited the groups in Min-Bulak, Lakhol and Kulanak villages of the Naryn rayon; At- Bashy and Acha-Kaindy villages of th At-Bashy rayon. Though h the artisans started t their work only in April due to the cold and severe winter, all the groups have produced quite a big collection of products: chair mats, slippers, scarves. During the mission, all the products were thoroughly examined in terms of their quality, design and production technique. At-Bashy artisans show newly designed scarves to Dr. Liba Brent Kamala Abdykadyrova is consulting the artisans of the Lakhol village group

8 Marketing support to the pilot groups Test marketing of felt products at the local and regional markets The groups continued actively to reach local and regional markets. The groups sell their products in Naryn. In spring and summer they sold successfully their products to tourists and guests visiting CACSARC-kg, at the crafts-fairs in Bishkek and during trips of CACSARC-kg staff to Dubai, Tashkent, Dushanbe etc. T. Amanova (Acha-Kaindy) at the Crafts Fair in Bishkek and with customers in the CACSARC-kg Office

Festival «Oimo-2012» 10 artisans from the

Seventh International Annual Festival «Oimo»

Cholpon-Ata, which is the main recreation

The project participants have sold their

Expectations from Oimo Festival were not

products, therefore the sales percentage was

9 Marketing support to the pilot groups Participation in the Seventh International Festival «Oimo-2012» 10 artisans from the project pilot groups participated in the Seventh International Annual Festival «Oimo» hold on 24 July - 2 August in Bishkek and Cholpon-Ata, which is the main recreation centre at the Issyk-Kul shore. The project participants have sold their products in the amount of USD Expectations from Oimo Festival were not achieved because artisans made more products, therefore the sales percentage was lower compared to the previous year. All the products were pre-checked at the CACSARC-kg office

10 Marketing support to the pilot groups Participation in the Seventh International festival «Oimo-2012» Artisans from Naryn oblast at the Oimo Festival in Cholpon-Ata To promote the project and the products of the artisans, we printed and distributed leaflets, posters, business cards of group leaders and prepared labels for the products of each group

Marketing support to the pilot groups Test marketing in the USA In 2012, Dr.

Products of the Naryn artisans were sold in the USA in the amount of $ 940, mostly scarves.

We have prepared and submitted to Santa Fe the Application Form of Min-Bulak artisan B.

11 Marketing support to the pilot groups Test marketing in the USA In 2012, Dr. Liba Brent continued test marketing of the Naryn felt products in Wisconsin, the USA. Products of the Naryn artisans were sold in the USA in the amount of $ 940, mostly scarves. Some products are still in the USA for their test marketing in the US markets. We have prepared and submitted to Santa Fe the Application Form of Min-Bulak artisan B.Zhamanbaeva for participation in the prestigious international Folk Art Market in Santa Fe (USA), August 2013, The Jury's acceptance decision will be known in December Dr. Liba Brent is selecting products at the CACSARC-kg Dr. Liba Brent is selecting products at the CACSARC kg Office for marketing in the USA.

Marketing support to the pilot groups Extending of

2012; it gave first results in finding new regional and

We found a customer in Almaty- Beibitgul Sapekenova,

bought chair-mats and slippers for cash, and she is

Test marketing of the Naryn products was made at the

Felt slippers were highly demanded, especially those of

because these products were in abundance there.

will be invited as guests to the next Budapest Festival

In Amsterdam the interest to the products was shown by

12 Marketing support to the pilot groups Extending of markets The project team was focused on marketing in 2012; it gave first results in finding new regional and international markets for the products. We found a customer in Almaty- Beibitgul Sapekenova, the owner of a boutique in Central Shopping Mall; she bought chair-mats and slippers for cash, and she is ready to do it on a regular basis. Test marketing of the Naryn products was made at the Festival of Folk Arts in Budapest, Hungary. Felt slippers were highly demanded, especially those of big size; interest was shown to chair-mats; scarves no because these products were in abundance there. The agreement has been reached that Kyrgyz artisans will be invited as guests to the next Budapest Festival to be held in August In Amsterdam the interest to the products was shown by the owner of Shirdak Salon Ms. Marianna Tuerlings who works with many artisans from Central Asia. She bought scarves and made an order for slippers.

13 Marketing support to the pilot groups Extending of markets In 2012 partners have been found in Holland and Belgium who sell handicraft products through internet. The first portion of products (10 scarves, 10 chair-mats) has been sold for cash to the Holland Company «Felt for you» and the products are already sold through the website The company buys products for our prices and the income remains at the company. The agreement has been reached with the «Caravanistan» company based in Belgium about stocking a small portion of Naryn products in Belgium for selling them in Europe through h the website Etsy and then through h In this case, the project will have the income from selling (with deduction of 10% company s commission and the site s (2 5 %). In 2011, Dr. Liba Brent opened the website Edventure yarn displaying Tajik yarn and Kyrgyz felt products.

Marketing support to the pilot groups Income from selling the products The total income from selling the

This amount was re-invested in the project for buying raw materials, implements, preparing methodical and

purchasing prices). We hope to sell these products by the end of the year.

a German sewing machine for stitching felt details, leather and felt.

14 Marketing support to the pilot groups Income from selling the products The total income from selling the Naryn artisans s products for 9 months is $US This amount was re-invested in the project for buying raw materials, implements, preparing methodical and visual aids, finishing products (for example, stitching soles to slippers), buying additional products from artisans etc. Currently, there are products to be sold and stocked at CACSARC-kg for the amount of $1000 US (artisans purchasing prices). We hope to sell these products by the end of the year. The income from selling the products in the USA in winter season was also used to purchase a German sewing machine for stitching felt details, leather and felt.the financial report on using the income from selling will be submitted together with the main financial report on the project. We express our special gratitude to the ICARDA Tashkent Office for placing an order for souvenirs to the participants i t of the Supervising i Committee s Session in Kyrgyzstan, September 2012.

15 Income from selling the products The pilot groups income from their handicraft activities for 2012 Group Income from Income from new products traditional Scarves Chair mats, Slippers General income Income % from products pillows new products (thousand Soms) At Bashy 45,0 17,0 9,7 19,5 91,2 50,6 % Acha Kaindy 413,4 36,3 18,4 21,1 489,2 15,5 % Min Bulak - 36,9 40,4 6,8 84,1 100 % Lakhol 35,0 23,4 15,0 3,7 77,1 50,0 % Kulanak 11,5 21, ,0 93 9,3 45,0 74,5% Total 504,9 134,8 86,5 60,4 786,6 ($ 16,9 thousand) 35,8%

16 Trainings on design Trainings on design were conducted in August-September in Bishkek on the example of felt slippers. Theme of the training: design of differently shaped slippers. The training was participated by 12 women from different groups.

Trainings on design In addition, training on ala

Bishkek for artisans from Kulanak village,

Additional training on natural dyeing was

Trainer Kenjekan Toktosunova trained Min-Bulak

of chair-mats were made which were submitted to

17 Trainings on design In addition, training on ala kiyiz two-sided chair-mats was conducted in Bishkek for artisans from Kulanak village, because they joined the project in Additional training on natural dyeing was conducted in Min-Bulak village in September. Trainer Kenjekan Toktosunova trained Min-Bulak artisans to make dyes from plants and to dye wool using natural dyes. As a result of the training in Min-Bulak 2 sets of chair-mats were made which were submitted to the UNESCO Award of Excellence for Handicraft Products. The Jury Session for the UNESCO Award of Excellence for Handicraft Products of Central Asia and Iran will take place in Tehran in November 2012.

18 Providing the groups with raw materials, implements and equipment and maintenance of the machines In 2011 the project purchased wool carding machines. Since they were second-hand machines two of them had to be repaired. Two new bobbins of Russian factory production were purchased and totally replaced on two machines in Min-Bulak and Lakhol villages by master S. Ismailov. All groups were provided with 60 kg of crossbred wool. Besides, the artisans are regularly provided with the needed raw materials: tops, silk, leather, felt, dyes, forms, and other implements. The work on providing artisans with raw materials and equipment was carried out jointly with Mr.Ajibekov.

19 Problems faced during the project implementation and the ways of their solution Not regular availability of quality raw materials (merino wool, silk, tops, leather etc.) create a stock of raw materials; Problem of project sustainability organize self-supporting marketing centre; The period for wool processing and felting is very short (May September) because of a severe and long lasting winter in Naryn oblast. This period coincides with the period of agricultural work, which is prevailing in house-hold management develop production of stitched felt slippers for the work in winter time; Not sufficiently responsible attitude of artisans to the products quality parameters consultations, penalty sanctions; Traditional gender perceptions do not prioritize women s opportunity to work as Traditional gender perceptions do not prioritize women s opportunity to work as important as the family obligations and many are not able to stay in business when their family situation changes.

20 CENTRAL ASIA CRAFTS SUPPORT ASSOCIATION S S RESOURCE CENTER IN KYRGYZSTAN Thank you! Contacts: CACSARC-kg Public Foundation 162-a, Manaschy Sagynbay street, Bishkek, , Kyrgyz Republic Tel. : ( ) , , Fax: ( ) cacsarc@ktnet.kg svetandra@yandex.ru website:

Association united 17 artisans groups from five countries of Central Asia. In 2004 the number of artisans groups grew up to 55.

Association united 17 artisans groups from five countries of Central Asia. In 2004 the number of artisans groups grew up to 55. Activities report of Central Asian Crafts Support Association 2004-2007 2007 Prepared by Dinara Chochunbaeva Ex-President of CACSA Central Asian Crafts Support Association - CACSA was established in 2000