WSDO Catalogue

WSDO

Women’s Skills Development Organization

HANDMADE IN NEPAL • www.wsdonepal.com

CATALOGUE

INDEX Page 3 Letter from
Page 4 the Executive
About WSDO/Facts Page 4 Director of
WSDO and Fair Trade Page 5 WSDO
Purchasing Guidelines Page 5
History of Weaving Pages 6–11 Dear Friends,
Support for Sustainable Allo Fiber Pages 12–19
Shoulder Bags Pages 20–21 Women’s Skills
Side Bags Pages 22–23 Development Organization
Shopping Bags Pages 24–25 (WSDO) was established
Backpacks Pages 26–31 in 1975 as a non-profit
Travel Bags Pages 32–39 and non-governmental
Cases, Thailly and Key Purses Pages 40–41 fair trade organization.
Doll Items Pages 42–45 Commercial activities
Christmas Items Pages 46–47 started in 1990.
Accessories Pages 48–50 In 2011 a Saving and
Household Items Credit Cooperative for
Color Swatches the organization’s members was founded.

We provide skill-developing training to low-income, illiterate,
underprivileged, widowed, divorced, and handicapped women,
resulting in regular and fair wages to supplement family
income and improve their overall standard of living.

We are proud to present our new catalogue of handicraft
using traditional back strap weaving and natural dyeing for
contemporary living. The products featured have been made
exclusively by hand by our dedicated artisans.

Products are available in azo-free colors, natural colors, and
are made of recycled cotton. We can work on exclusive designs,
providing the order is large. We have various skill categories
on 100% cotton fabrics.

We are committed to providing our customers with high quality
products and service. Your suggestions and feedback on our
products are highly appreciated.

Thank you,

Best Regards, Ram Kali Khadka
Executive Director

2

WSDO Women’s Skills Development Organization

ABOUT WSDO WSDO FACTS

Women’s Skills Development Organization Pokhara is a fair Established: 1975
trade organization. It has been working since 1975 as a non- Number of Staff: 22
profit organization and income-generating program for Number of Artisans: 450 (100% women)
economically disadvantaged, disabled, abused, widowed, Total Sales in 2014: US $312,964
divorced, single, and outcast women from rural Nepal. WSDO
provides them with free vocational skills training and after job Distribution of Sales:
facility to become self supportive. It was officially registered Export 80% Domestic 20%
in the District Administration Office, Kaski, in 1994.
Product Lines:
After arriving at WSDO, the women are provided training Different sizes and styles of bags, mats, hats, scarves,
on material cutting, sewing, weaving, dyeing, business slippers, coasters, boxes, dolls and Christmas items.
management, and various other skills training related
to handicraft. WSDO is considered the best handicraft Training Facilities:
organization in Pokhara and an example of a successful local Training in looming and weaving, dyeing of cotton (natural
NGO in Nepal, running the last 40 years without any local or and permanent), sewing, material cutting, and frequent skills
international donations. development training for staff and teachers.

WSDO ensures production processes that minimize Social Commitment:
environmental impact by using local raw materials, 100% cotton Annual scholarships to producers’ children, aid to members in
and eco-friendly dyes. WSDO makes a wide range of handmade case of injuries and sickness, as well as performance bonuses.
bags, toys, cases, purses, footwear, and kitchen and household
accessories. We are committed to providing our customers Production techniques:
with high quality products and service. We now export more Traditional back strap Nepali weaving, natural dyeing of
than 80% of our production to Europe, United States, Australia, cotton, sewing and cutting.
Japan, and Korea.

Hundreds of women are benefiting from WSDO programs and
thousands of people worldwide have enjoyed WSDO handmade
products. Every year WSDO gives performance rewards to the
best women in each department. It also has its own cooperative

saving & credit program, where the women can save money

for the future and can obtain a loan with nominal interest.

For the senior teachers, WSDO has a saving program,
depositing 10% of their monthly earning in an interest-bearing

account. WSDO also provides its workers a clothing allowance,
60 days paid maternity leave, emergency allowance, free health

checkups, education on social issues and the environment,

English language training, educational excursions, and education

scholarships for their children.

3

WSDO AND FAIR TRADE PURCHASING GUIDELINES

Fair Trade is a trading partnership based on dialogue, transparency, • Women’s Skills Development Organization Pokhara exports

and respect, seeking greater equity in through Machhapuchhre Exports. We request all correspondence
and payments to be directed to Machhapuchhre Exports.
international trade. WSDO was a founding Machhapuchhre Exports ships by air, land, and sea. It supervises
its own packing and arranges all documents for customs.
member of Fair Trade Group WOR LD FAIR T ADE
Nepal. WSDO has also been R • Sample requests and orders can be placed by mail, fax,

a member of the World Fair or e-mail.Product code, description, size, and colors should be
written in the order. The cost of samples and delivery is borne by
Trade Organization (WFTO) the buyer. Products are available in azo-free colors, natural colors,
and are made of recycled cotton. We use only original YKK zippers.
since 2003. After gaining
• All prices are FOB quoted in US$ and Euro€.
access to the global fair trade market, WSDO • After receiving the order we will notify you with an invoice

currently employs over 400 women. Currently 20% of the sales detailing the quantity, weight, total cost (including packing
and shipping), and delivery date.
are domestic, and the other 80% of the sales are international.
• 50% of the payment is to be made in advance with the
Examples of WSDO export countries are: England, Japan, Korea,
confirmed order and the remaining 50% is to be made before the
Italy, Spain, France and the United States. goods are received.

FAIR TRADE COMMUNITY COMMITMENT • We export through a recognized agency and the buyer should

WSDO is a non-profit and non-governmental organization. arrange insurance, if required.
We receive help from volunteers but are completely self-sufficient.
The organization, as of 2014, awards twenty-seven scholarships • Air freight arrangements are FOB. When ordering please give
a year for employees’ children. Performance bonuses are provided,
as well as help to employees in case of illness. your nearest airport and list any specific documents required.

NATURAL DYES • We provide the following:
The colors for our Natural Dyeing products come from the nature
of Nepal. These colors are very soft and warm. Thus, you will feel Invoice, Packing list, and an Origin certificate (if required).
that warmth when you choose our natural products.
• Separate handling may be charged on consolidation of goods

as agreed with the client.

• Payment can be made by bankers draft.

Our account details are as follows:

Domestic A/C Name: Pokhara Women Skill Development P.Ltd
A/C No: 01-2267225-01
Bank Name: Standard Chartered Bank, Pokhara,
Newroad Branch

Export A/C Name: Machhapuchhre Exports
A/C No: 1201217500658 USD (current account)
Bank Name: Nabil Bank Ltd. Pokhara Branch

For more information or to email us for any inquiries,
please visit our website: www.womensskillsdevelopment.org

4

HISTORY OF WEAVING WSDO SUPPORTS SUSTAINABLE ALLO FIBER

In the region of Pokhara where the WSDO is based, along the The Institute for Himalayan
slopes of the Annapurna mountain range, live the Gurung people. Conservation Japan (IHC) is a non-
The Gurungs incorporate elements of both Tibeto-Burman government organization that has
and Indo-Aryan origin. The Gurung people were traditionally been working since 2009 to create a
herdsmen, but in the early 20th century they became skilled sustainable, income-generating project
agriculturists. The Gurung are also reputed soldiers (Ghurka) for the women of the high hills in
and their continued employment in the Nepalese, Indian, Nepal. This project is designed to train
British and Brunei armies is a valuable source of income for the and assist women in remote villages
community. A smaller but longer established source of income is to plant, harvest, spin, and weave the Allo plant. Allo, also known
based on the extraordinary skill of the Gurung weavers who are as Himalayan giant nettle, grows naturally in Nepal between the
believed to have started the textile trade in Nepal. They are altitudes of 1500 and 3000 meters. The strong fiber from this
famous for their traditional woollen blankets (rari), which are plant becomes soft, supple, and ready to be spun into yarn after
still valuable trade items today. The Gurung people weave in many rounds of washing.
both wool and cotton.
The back strap loom is very It was a long search before the IHC
common among the Gurung found the best starting point for this
and is also the loom used by project. They were looking for a village
the women at WSDO. A back that was not only desperately in need, but also had cleared fields
strap is fitted around the already available for planting. The project finally took root in
weaver’s hips, which allows
the warp tension to be Shalija, a small village in Myagdi and
controlled by the weaver’s Parbat in the Dhawalagiri area of Nepal.
body. These looms have only one beam, the back beam, held in a Shalija is about 2200 meters above sea
fixed position. By moving her body forward and back and altering level and families in this village often
the tension of the threads, the weaver has a better control over had to send their sons away to find work –
her work. This loom is thought to have originated from the Bhotia rarely did they even own a second set of
people, originally from Tibet. It is the oldest loom in the world clothing. The project began with the training of seven women
and makes a strong and tightly bound cloth that allows an endless and has currently grown to encompass eight separate villages
variety of inlaid designs. and 70 women. The change in the lives of the families in the
villages has been substantial.

From the beginning, WSDO has been collaborating with IHC and
designed several Allo products to sell to local and international
vendors. In this way, a steady market for the Allo producers was
created. When one
purchases an Allo
product they are not
only supporting the
WSDO women, but
they are also supporting
sustainable, eco-friendly
fabric production from
the women of the high
hills of Nepal.

5

SHOULDER BAGS

Shoulder Bag
WSDO-B020

Size: 32x42x13 cm
Weight: 365 grams

6

Big Tote Bag WSDO-B006 Koro Bag with Flower WSDO-B009

Size: 34x52x16 cm Weight: 475 grams Size: 30x42x12 cm Weight: 535 grams

Lumbini Bag For information
WSDO-B011 about Allo fiber
please see page 5.
Size: 42x35x10 cm
Weight: 460 grams

Playa Bag WSDO-B018 Allo U Bag WSDO-B024

Size: 36x42x10 cm Weight: 500 grams Size: 30x39x10 cm Weight: 350 grams

7

SHOULDER BAGS

Moon Bag
WSDO-B012

Size: 30x38x10 cm
Weight: 385 grams

Moon Bag with Braid WSDO-B013 Moving Bag WSDO-B014

Size: 30x38x10 cm Weight: 360 grams Size: 16x30x14 cm Weight: 210 grams

Pleat Bag WSDO-B019 Bow Bag WSDO-B022

Size: 26x36x10 cm Weight: 270 grams Size 29x29 cm Weight: 450 grams
8

Four Pocket Shoulder Bag WSDO-B008 Ladies Muzza Bag WSDO-B010

Size: 32x43x20 cm Weight: 470 grams Size: 20x45x9 cm Weight: 285 grams

Muzza Bag WSDO-B015 Picnic Bag WSDO-B017 Weight: 600 grams
9
Size: 27x40x10 cm Weight: 340 grams Size: 36x95 cm (circumference)

SHOULDER BAGS

Allo Cat Bag WSDO-B001 Allo Daily Bag WSDO-B002

Size: 32x37x12 cm Weight: 370 grams Size: 33x34x17 cm Weight: 410 grams

For information
about Allo fiber
please see page 5.

Allo Moon Bag WSDO-B003 Allo Recycle Pocket Bag WSDO-B004

Size: 26x34x9 cm Weight: 320 grams Size: 28x38x14 cm Weight: 350 grams
10

Yoga Bag WSDO-B023

Size: 76x46 cm (circumference) Weight: 400 grams

Big Cat Shoulder Bag WSDO-B005

Size: 36x48x22 cm Weight: 620 grams

Shoulder Bag with Cat & Flower WSDO-B021

Size: 32x42x13 cm Weight: 455 grams

11

SIDE BAGS

Man Bag WSDO-C018

Size: 30x30x15 cm Weight: 430 grams

12

Camera Bag WSDO-C007 Flower Patchwork Bag WSDO-C015

Size: 18x22x11 cm Weight: 330 grams Size: 18x22 cm Weight: 155 grams

Fringe Patch Bag WSDO-C016 Patch Side Bag WSDO-C026

Size: 20x20 cm Weight: 160 grams Size: 19x26x3 cm Weight: 210 grams

13

SIDE BAGS

New Patch Passport Bag WSDO-C021 Passport Bag Large WSDO-C023

Size: 15x18 cm Weight: 80 grams Size: 20x16 cm Weight: 80 grams

Passport Bag Medium WSDO-C024 Passport Bag Small (R Bag) WSDO-C025

Size: 15x15 cm Weight: 70 grams Size: 15x11 cm Weight: 30 grams

14

For information
about Allo fiber
please see page 5.

Allo Bag Small WSDO-C001 B.P. Bag Medium WSDO-C002

Size: 17x22x5 cm Weight: 220 grams Size: 16x18x4 cm Weight: 100 grams

Baby Bag Large Baby Bag Medium

WSDO-C005 WSDO-C004

Size: 33x34x6 cm Size: 27x30x6 cm
Weight: 290 grams Weight: 270 grams

Baby Bag Small WSDO-C003 Double Pocket Braid Bag WSDO-C009

Size: 22x26x6 cm Weight: 250 grams Size: 18x26 cm Weight: 240 grams

15

SIDE BAGS

Double Bag Medium WSDO-C011 Double Bag Small WSDO-C012

Size: 26x24 cm Weight: 300 grams Size: 20x20 cm Weight: 210 grams

Double Square Bag Small WSDO-C013 Elephant Side Bag WSDO-C014

Size: 20x20x3 cm Weight: 150 grams Size: 22x22x5 cm Weight: 210 grams
16

Pocket Shoulder Bag Small WSDO-C028 Pocket Shoulder Bag Medium WSDO-C027

Size: 22x20x5 cm Weight: 170 grams Size: 25x30x5 cm Weight: 240 grams

Multistrap Moving Bag WSDO-C020 Side Bag WSDO-C030

Size: 23x38x15 cm Weight: 355 grams Size: 32x28x8 cm Weight: 360 grams

17

SIDE BAGS For more information
on Allo fiber please
Cat Bag see page 5.
WSDO-C008

Size: 30x30x8 cm
Weight: 320 grams

Bicycle Bag WSDO-C006 Allo Love Cats Bag WSDO-C033

Size: 30x30x8 cm Weight: 320 grams Size: 24x36x9 cm Weight: 300 grams

Marble Bag WSDO-C019 Pompom Side Bag WSDO-C029

Size: 29x27 cm Weight: 210 grams Size: 26x30x10 cm Weight: 285 grams
18

Laptop Side Bag WSDO-C017 New Side Bag WSDO-C022

Size: 19x22x5 cm Weight: 210 grams Size: 34x50x9 cm Weight: 475 grams

Stripe Bag WSDO-C031 Daily Bag WSDO-C032 Weight: 330 grams
19
Size: 36x36x10 cm Weight: 350 grams Size: 40x72 cm (circumference)

SHOPPING BAGS Shopping Bag Large
WSDO-A004
Shopping Bag Small
WSDO-A006 Size: 39x33 cm
Weight: 330 grams
Size: 30x26 cm
Weight: 230 grams Shopping Bag Medium
WSDO-A005
20
Size: 36x30 cm
Weight: 290 grams

New Shopping Bag Medium WSDO-A001 Cotton Shopping Bag WSDO-A002

Size: 30x30x14 cm Weight: 390 grams Size: 46x40 / 11x21 cm Weight: 120 grams

Patchwork File Bag Medium WSDO-A003 Thin Strap Shopping Bag WSDO-A007

Size: 36x42x12 cm Weight: 430 grams Size: 39x36 cm Weight: 200 grams

21

BACKPACKS

22

Braid Backpack WSDO-D001 Rabbit Backpack WSDO-D002

Size: 32x30x10 cm Weight: 175 grams Size: 48x34 cm Weight: 410 grams

Funk Backpack WSDO-D003 Back Pack Bag WSDO-D004

Size: 38x24x10 cm Weight: 405 grams Size: 35x40x16 cm Weight: 400 grams

23

TRAVEL BAGS

Tour Bag WSDO-E003

Size: 29x42x21 cm Weight: 650 grams

24

Elephant Traveling Bag

WSDO-E001

Size: 33x53x28 cm
Weight: 1000 grams

Journey Bag WSDO-E004 Traveling Bag Medium WSDO-E002

Size: 32x46x22 cm Weight: 550 grams Size: 28x62x24 cm Weight: 670 grams

25

CASES, THAILLY AND KEY PURSES

Animal Pen Case WSDO-F001

Size: 10x22 cm Weight: 55 grams each

26

Pen Case Medium WSDO-F017 Round Pencil Case WSDO-F020

Size: 12x21 cm Weight: 50 grams Size: 8.5x22 cm Weight: 35 grams

Rolling Pen Case WSDO-F019 Tablet Case WSDO-F007

Size: 22x28 cm Weight: 60 grams Size: 20x28x3 cm Weight: 165 grams

27

CASES, THAILLY AND KEY PURSES

Round Purse WSDO-F003 Round Purse with Flower WSDO-F004

Size: 10x10 cm Weight: 25 grams Size: 10x10 cm Weight: 25 grams

M Purse WSDO-F010 Money Purse WSDO-F011

Size: 9x11 cm Weight: 20 grams Size: 10x15 cm Weight: 26 grams

28

Chankhu Thailly Medium WSDO-F002 Nepali Thailly WSDO-F012

Size: 17x22x6 cm Weight: 60 grams Size: 11x13 cm Weight: 25 grams

Patchwork Case Large WSDO-F015 Patchwork Case Small WSDO-F016

Size: 14x24 cm Weight: 85 grams Size: 13x17 cm Weight: 56 grams

29

CASES, THAILLY AND KEY PURSES

Face Pouch WSDO-F005 H Bag WSDO-F006

Size: 8x18 cm Weight: 30 grams Size: 14x23 cm Weight: 40 grams

Rectangular Wash Bag WSDO-F018 Wash Bag WSDO-F021

Size: 19x28 cm Weight: 95 grams Size: 16x22 cm Weight: 55 grams
30

Long Pass Case WSDO-F009 Key Holder WSDO-F008

Size: 18x28 cm Weight: 60 grams Size: 12x16 cm Weight: 30 grams

New Key Purse WSDO-F013 Old Key Purse WSDO-F014

Size: 9x13 cm Weight: 30 grams Size: 12x14 cm Weight: 25 grams

31

DOLL ITEMS

Elephant WSDO-G008 Giraffe WSDO-G010

Size: 15x20x9 cm Weight: 250 grams Size: 28x13x10 cm Weight: 175 grams

32

Dino WSDO-G007 Polar Bear WSDO-G016

Size: 19x21x11 cm Weight: 105 grams Size: 12x16x5 cm Weight: 75 grams

Rhino WSDO-G020 Whale WSDO-G024

Size: 13x24x9 cm Weight: 160 grams Size: 5x20x10 cm Weight: 45 grams

33

DOLL ITEMS

Bear Doll Small WSDO-G002 Cat Doll Small WSDO-G005

Size: 16x13x38 cm Weight: 115 grams Size: 16x10x4 cm Weight: 30 grams

Happy side Sad side

Froggy WSDO-G009 Khusi and Sad Doll (2 sides/1 doll) WSDO-G014

Size: 26x13x4 cm Weight: 80 grams Size: 29x14x5cm Weight: 60 grams
34

New Rabbit Doll WSDO-G015 Puppet Train WSDO-G017

Size: 25x8x2 cm Weight: 40 grams Size: 45x16x2 cm Weight: 100 grams

Rabbit Doll WSDO-G018 Skinny Elephant WSDO-G021

Size: 22x10x2 cm Weight: 50 grams each Size: 30x11x5 cm Weight: 100 grams

35

DOLL ITEMS

Bird Small WSDO-G003

Size: 6x4x2 cm Weight: 5 grams each

Bird Large WSDO-G004 String of Birds WSDO-G023

Size: 6x7x3 cm Weight: 10 grams each Size: 160 cm Weight: 75 grams
36

Balls Small (set of 3) WSDO-G001 Cat Ornament WSDO-G006

Size: 15 cm (circumference) Weight: 40 grams Size: 8x4x2 cm Weight: 10 grams each

Yeti Keychain WSDO-G025 Yeti Medium WSDO-G026

Size: 12x9x3 cm Weight: 35 grams Size: 22x14x5 cm Weight: 150 grams

37

DOLL ITEMS

Squirrel Key Ring WSDO-G022 Hat Key Ring WSDO-G011

Size: 12x11x4 cm Weight: 25 grams Size: 4x5x5 cm Weight: 10 grams each

Key Chain Duck Fob WSDO-G012 Key Chain Animal Fob WSDO-G013

Size: 11x6x2 cm Weight: 15 grams Size: 10x7x1.5 cm Weight: 10 grams each
38

Rabbit Key Ring WSDO-G019

Size: 14x6x1.5 cm Weight: 20 grams each

Back Strap Loom Weaving

39

CHRISTMAS ITEMS

Santa Claus WSDO-H004

Size: 24x19x4 cm Weight: 110 grams

40

Angel WSDO-H001 Christmas Moon Christmas Star 1

Size: 14x6 cm Weight: 75 grams WSDO-H002 WSDO-H006

Size: 13x7x3 cm Size: 12x14x4 cm
Weight: 25 grams Weight: 45 grams

Christmas Star 2 WSDO-H003 Snowman WSDO-H005

Size: 12x14 cm Weight: 15 grams each Size: 13x7 cm (diameter) Weight: 60 grams

41

ACCESSORIES

Notebook (with bird bookmark) WSDO-I004

Size: 17x10 cm Weight: 100 grams

Birds are fixed with a string
to the notebook cover to be
used as a bookmark.
Blank book is included.

42

Blank book is Nepali Topi WSDO-I003
not included.
Size: Customer Preference
Book Cover Large WSDO-I002

Size: Customer Preference

Blank book Passport Cover WSDO-I006
is included.
Size: 14x9 cm Weight: 25 grams
Notebook Large WSDO-I005

Size: 17x22 cm Weight: 200 grams

43

ACCESSORIES

Belt WSDO-I001

Size: Customer Preference
44

Design 1 Design 2 Design 3 Design 4 Design 5 Design 6 Design 7

Wrist Band WSDO-I007

Size: Customer Preference

45

HOUSEHOLD ITEMS

Pot Warmer Basket WSDO-J001
WSDO-J007
Size: 13x20x20 cm Weight: 130 grams
Size: 27x32 cm Size: 12x22x26 cm Weight: 145 grams
Weight: 130 grams
Tablecloth Large WSDO-J009
46
Size: Customer Preference

Cushion Cover Small WSDO-J003

Size: Customer Preference

Coasters WSDO-J002 Cushion Cover Large WSDO-J004

Size: Customer Preference Size: Customer Preference

Kitchen Glove 1 WSDO-J005

Size: 28x16x2 cm Weight: 75 grams

Kitchen Glove 2 WSDO-J006 Table Mat WSDO-J008

Size: 27x15x5 cm Weight: 100 grams Size: Customer Preference

47

SWATCHES

Chemical Dye Patterns

C2/1 C3/1 C4/1 C5/1 C6/1 C7/1 C8/1 C9/1 C10/1

C11/1 C12/1 C13/1 C14/1 C15/1 C16/1 C17/1 C18/1 C19/1

Recycled Fabric Originally used for reducing waste, recycled fabric uses left over cotton thread from the process of making other fabrics. Photos show a representation of what
ordered fabric may look like unless specifically discussed. For example: R3 will always have black as the background fabric, but the other colors may change.

R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8 R9 R10 R11 R12

R13 R14 R15 R16 R17 R18 R19 R20 R21 R22 R23 R24
48

Chemical Dye Colors

C1/1 C1/2 C1/3 C1/4 C1/5 C1/6 C1/7 C1/8 C1/9 C1/10 C1/11 C1/12

C1/13 C1/14 C1/15 C1/16 C1/17 C1/18 C1/19 C1/20 C1/21 C1/22 C1/23 C1/24

C1/25 C1/26 C1/27 C1/28 C1/29 C1/30 C1/31 C1/32 C1/33 C1/34 C1/35 C1/36

C1/37 C1/38 C1/39 C1/40 C1/41 C1/42 C1/43 C1/44 C1/45 C1/46

49

SWATCHES

Natural Dye Patterns

N2/1 N3/1 N4/1 N5/1 N6/1 N7/1 N8/1 N9/1 N10/1 N11/1

Natural Dye Colors

N1/1 N1/2 N1/3 N1/4 N1/5 N1/6 N1/7 N1/8 N1/9 N1/10

N1/11 N1/12 N1/13 N1/14 N1/15 N1/16 N1/17 N1/18 N1/19 N1/20

50