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Returning from an inspiring whirlwind AURA QUE trip to Nepal last month

Returning from an inspiring whirlwind AURA QUE trip to Nepal last month

Here are a few pics to show the varied work and people I meet day to day on my recent trip to Nepal.  Every day is different, on a short whirlwind 3 week trip, scooting around between the 11 producer groups I work with in the Kathmandu Valley.
From the City to the Mountains: AURA QUE trekking in the Himalayas!

From the City to the Mountains: AURA QUE trekking in the Himalayas!

Trekking in Nepal is glorious! An experience I recommend to everyone who expresses an interest in travelling there. I am not an avid walker or outdoors fanatic but over the years have really appreciated getting out of Kathmandu and up into the Himalayas.
Inspiration behind the 2019 AURA QUE Collection | Felt, Dhaka, Brass and more

Inspiration behind the 2019 AURA QUE Collection | Felt, Dhaka, Brass and more

For our collection this year, we were mainly inspired by the skills of the artisans we work with. I love the mix of materials and wanted to develop more products with a mix of handmade materials as well as authentic Nepali fabrics.
From Yoga to Cooking courses & more -  What to do in Kathmandu!

From Yoga to Cooking courses & more - What to do in Kathmandu!

It may be chaotic, busy and noisy but there is a great charm to Kathmandu, it is my home from home! Many people who visit want to get straight out to the mountains or yoga retreat or are recouping after a long trek.
Making our VISTA Paper Notebooks from sustainable Lokta bark in the Himalayas

Making our VISTA Paper Notebooks from sustainable Lokta bark in the Himalayas

The lokta paper has been used for centuries in Nepal, known for its durability and resistance to tearing, with the earliest surviving document being the ‘Karanya Buha Sutra’ Buddhist text, estimated at between 1000-1900 years old!
Celebrating Fair-trade Fortnight - AURA QUE recommends.....

Celebrating Fair-trade Fortnight - AURA QUE recommends.....

Over the years, we have met lots of wonderful people running small ethical businesses like ours – in Nepal and back in the UK. It’s always great to...
Celebrating Fair Trade Fortnight – The Importance of Fairtrade

Celebrating Fair Trade Fortnight – The Importance of Fairtrade

It's Fairtrade Fortnight which means we are all about sharing the importance of buying ethical, fairly traded and sustainable products!
Starting our hand-knitting orders for Autumn/Winter 2019 already!

Starting our hand-knitting orders for Autumn/Winter 2019 already!

Urmila is our master knitter who finalised all the samples with us, and she organises a group of 19 home-knitters who work remotely to fit around their family commitments.
Working with Nepal Leprosy Trust Leather Handicraft Workshop

Working with Nepal Leprosy Trust Leather Handicraft Workshop

AURA QUE has been working with the Nepal Leprosy Trust (NLT) since 2006 when I first visited the workshop looking for fair trade producer groups to...
Thinking of being self employed or starting your own business?

Thinking of being self employed or starting your own business?

In Autumn, I was part of a panel for a Graduate Week Q&A as a small business owner and realised over the years I have definitely gained lots o...
Awareness for World Leprosy Day 2019

Awareness for World Leprosy Day 2019

Today is World Leprosy Day, to promote awareness about this disease that is still prevalent in developing countries like Nepal. We work with the Ne...
Felt Making

Felt Making

Felt craft products are seen all over Kathmandu – in every shop in Thamel there are brightly coloured felt products as mobiles, kids toys and decor...