Leaf craft is one of India’s most natural, sustainable and culturally rooted forms of handmade artistry. Using the dried leaves of maize, coconut and palm trees, rural artisans create beautiful, functional and environmentally responsible products that reflect India’s deep craft heritage. At Bhartiye Crafts, we work directly with these artisan communities to support their livelihood, provide fair pricing, upgrade their designs and give them nationwide visibility. Every leaf product sold through Bhartiye Crafts becomes a step toward empowering village artisans and preserving traditional eco-craft for future generations.

Leaf craft primarily uses two natural materials: Maize Leaf and Palm Leaf. Both are abundantly available in different parts of India, making them sustainable and easily renewable raw materials.

Maize Leaf Craft

Maize leaf craft is widely practiced in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, where maize farming is common. After the corn harvest, the outer layers and dry husks of the maize plant are usually discarded as agricultural waste. Artisans collect these husks and transform them into beautiful handcrafted items. The maize leaves are cleaned, sun-dried, flattened and sometimes softened with steam or warm water. Because maize leaves are naturally flexible, lightweight and beautifully textured, they are ideal for weaving.

Products made from maize leaf include decorative trays, storage baskets, roti baskets, table mats, wall décor, floral arrangements, lightweight boxes, gift packaging and festive décor. These items have a soft, rustic charm due to the natural colour variations in maize leaves—ranging from pale cream to golden brown. The gentle colour tones match perfectly with modern minimalist interiors and eco-friendly lifestyle themes.

Bhartiye Crafts works with maize leaf artisans by providing design inputs, training workshops, quality checks and continuous work opportunities. Many of these artisans are women who use maize craft as their primary source of income. By connecting their work with buyers across India, Bhartiye Crafts helps ensure they earn a stable livelihood while preserving this traditional craft.

Palm Leaf Craft

Palm leaf craft is one of India’s most ancient and respected craft forms, widely practiced in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and West Bengal. The leaves come from coconut palms, palmyra palms and date palms. These leaves are naturally strong, flexible and smooth, making them a perfect material for both utility and decorative products.

Palm leaves are collected after they naturally fall or after seasonal pruning of palm trees. This makes palm leaf craft an environmentally low-impact process. The leaves are cleaned, dried, and cut into thin strips. Depending on the design, artisans weave, fold, stitch or mould these strips into various shapes. In some regions, palm leaves are also pressed with heat to make eco-friendly tableware.

Palm leaf craft produces a wide range of items such as storage boxes, multipurpose organisers, lampshades, trays, baskets, jewellery boxes, festive gift boxes, wedding packaging, décor plates, fans and natural tableware. The products are lightweight, durable and naturally elegant.

Palm Leaf Tableware is a fast-growing category due to increasing environmental awareness. Artisans use heat-press machines to mould dried palm leaves into plates, bowls and food trays. These products are completely biodegradable, chemical-free and safe for direct food use. They are widely used in weddings, eco-friendly events, restaurants and conscious households.

Bhartiye Crafts supports palm leaf artisans by ensuring fair wages, stable order flow, product innovation and strong presence in national markets. Many craft clusters lack direct access to buyers; Bhartiye Crafts bridges this gap so artisans can focus on crafting while we help with sales, packaging, branding and logistics.

🌱 Processing & Techniques

The preparation process for leaf craft is natural and chemical-free.

• Drying: Leaves are dried under sunlight to remove moisture.

• Softening: Some leaves are steamed or soaked to improve flexibility.

• Stripping: Leaves are cut into uniform strips for weaving or folding.

• Weaving/Stitching: Artisans use traditional weaving frames or hand-stitching techniques.

• Press Moulding (for plates): Dried palm leaves are pressed under heat using moulds.

The entire process requires skill, patience, and craftsmanship that artisans acquire over many years.

🍃 Products & Applications

Leaf craft offers a wide variety of sustainable and attractive items:

Home & Kitchen

• Palm-leaf serving trays

• Maize-leaf roti baskets

• Storage boxes and organisers

• Fruit baskets

Décor & Gifting

• Decorative wall plates

• Palm-leaf gift boxes

• Maize-leaf floral arrangements

• Festival and wedding packaging

Eco-Living

• Palm-leaf plates and bowls

• Biodegradable food containers

• Natural home accessories

Leaf products fit naturally into boho, earthy, organic, and rustic interior spaces.

🌍 Why Leaf Craft Matters

• 100% Natural & Biodegradable – zero plastic, zero chemicals

• Supports Rural Economy – especially women artisans

• Minimizes Waste – uses agricultural by-products

• Low Carbon Footprint – handmade, no heavy machinery

• Preserves Traditional Skills – keeps ancient weaving alive

At Bhartiye Crafts, we prioritise crafts that directly uplift artisan communities. Every purchase ensures artisans receive fair compensation and steady income. Our focus is on promoting India’s natural crafts globally, preserving heritage while supporting sustainable living.

❤️ Bhartiye Crafts Commitment

• Fair trade practices

• Design development & quality improvement

• Long-term livelihood support

• Direct market access

• Awareness about eco-friendly living

Leaf craft is not just a product; it is a symbol of simplicity, sustainability and Indian cultural wisdom. Bhartiye Crafts proudly brings this tradition to modern homes while ensuring every artisan behind the craft thrives.