Chiang Mai City Life, Thailand
Kaewkaw Na Chiengmai, named after its owner, is a new addition to the assortment of shops on the popular Nimmanhaemin Road. Not only can you browse through owner,
Kaewkaw Na Chiengmai’s, selection of family designed gifts like hand-stitched cashmere scarves, jewellery and authentic clothes, you can sign up for an original batik workshop, of about 3 hours, that takes place right there in a quaint area in front of the shop.
For an affordable 550 baht you can learn all the techniques you need to know to get started on your batik masterpiece, in order take it home with you that very day. One of the highlights was sipping scrumptious Kaewkaw Na Chiengmai teas that have been grown locally and flavoured to provide the highest quality taste and above all, aroma. Flavours include peach, lemon and rosa ‘la reine’ and I must highly recommend, the peach, was one of the best I’ve ever tasted; perfectly fruity and sweet. Along with this you get to enjoy her aunties’ homemade fruitcake, butter cake or ginger cookies, making this afternoon tea break complete.
While enjoying these gourmet treats and taking in the sights of those passing by, you can start tracing your design onto the
cloth canvas. Once the combination of bees and paraffin waxes are heated you first get to use a canting needle (or tjanting tool), an old fashioned looking device made to hold to the wax so you can outline your sketch. The reason for this is to create a barrier in which the dye will not penetrate. Be careful doing this as the wax can be tricky and drip where you don’t want it to – and trust me, there is no fixing or removing it. Once your design is outlined you’re ready to start painting with the dye, and as a novice it was really fun to practice blending and experimenting with colours.
The word batik refers to the wax-resist dyeing technique. Batik painting has been an internationally acclaimed form of arts and crafts that has been wooing art lovers for centuries, some say thousands of years. Its origins stem from India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia and Thailand which incorporates painting themes varying from original abstract patterns to religious portrayals of the Buddha and Hindu gods.
If this sounds like fun and you want to arrange a batik workshop, call Kaewkaw at 081 711 7212, email her at kaewkaw@hotmail.com or stop by the shop at 12/24 Nimmanhaemin Road (at entrance to Yesterday Boutique Village, near Thanachard Bank. If you have a group of 5 or more you can arrange to incorporate a river boat ride into your day. You can also request to do your batik painting on a cotton shopping bag, a table runner or a placemat. At the end of your workshop you will not only take home an original batik painting but also an appreciation for this great form of art.
by Kelty Moser
