Craft Purchases in Burma
Nov 17th, 2005, 03:54 PM
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Craft Purchases in Burma
I'm planning on getting crafts while in Burma. Any thoughts or ideas about where or what to buy? Any thoughts you have are forward to here. Thanks for your help.
Nov 17th, 2005, 06:26 PM
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the elephant house is a must stop for you in yangon....they have two sites: the in town site and the factory outside of town....try to go to both...
ratan things are so cheap you will not believe it....puppets are cheat....we went to at least one art gallery and bought at least 2 paintings there and one in the central market....paintings are very inexpensive and well done...
rubies are of course a good buy, but buy them only from decent dealers...
our favorite items however are lacquare ware items....we went to a wonderful small shop on a street not far from the strand...let me look it up for you............i cannot find the name, but i am quite sure it is on 13th street....it is not a long street and it should be easy for you to find...
i have a wonderful driver in yangon if you need one...??he also drives out into the country as well...very reasonable and good english and a really nice guy...ask and i will get you his info..
ratan things are so cheap you will not believe it....puppets are cheat....we went to at least one art gallery and bought at least 2 paintings there and one in the central market....paintings are very inexpensive and well done...
rubies are of course a good buy, but buy them only from decent dealers...
our favorite items however are lacquare ware items....we went to a wonderful small shop on a street not far from the strand...let me look it up for you............i cannot find the name, but i am quite sure it is on 13th street....it is not a long street and it should be easy for you to find...
i have a wonderful driver in yangon if you need one...??he also drives out into the country as well...very reasonable and good english and a really nice guy...ask and i will get you his info..
Nov 17th, 2005, 06:39 PM
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there are some wonderful puppets and I bought some water colors. Buying gems is ilegal unless you buy in a government store. I refused to do that. I didn't buy much and what I did I bought directly from the person who made it or painted it. Nothing I bought cost more than $20.
Nov 18th, 2005, 03:39 AM
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Nan-- would you say hi to Nyi Nyi and ask him if there is anything he would like Ann and I to bring for him or his family? Tell him we're looking forward to seeing him again.
Thanks and have a fabulous trip.
Thanks and have a fabulous trip.
Nov 18th, 2005, 03:50 PM
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Gloria - thanks for the help. I'll be sure to ask Nyi Nyi if there is anything you've like to have. I'll be back on 12/19 so I'll let you know if there is anything for you to bring for him. I think this will be a great trip!
Nov 29th, 2005, 01:49 PM
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Be careful where you buy lacquerware. Some lacquerware is truly of great quality, but the other kind is more abundant, especially in and around Bogyoke.
If it seems VERY cheap, well, it probably is. Not that you cannot get some great quality at rock bottom prices, but quality lacquerware pieces are not going to run you a few dollars.
I have some beautiful lacquerware and some cheap lacquerware, and the cheap stuff will peel off quickly and end up in the garbage. Quality lacquerware will last years.
The shops in and around Bogyoke with dozens of items of similar design sell a lot of junk. Avoid these places. If you want to purchase quality lacquerware, do some hunting and you will find!!! The hunt is part of the fun.
If it seems VERY cheap, well, it probably is. Not that you cannot get some great quality at rock bottom prices, but quality lacquerware pieces are not going to run you a few dollars.
I have some beautiful lacquerware and some cheap lacquerware, and the cheap stuff will peel off quickly and end up in the garbage. Quality lacquerware will last years.
The shops in and around Bogyoke with dozens of items of similar design sell a lot of junk. Avoid these places. If you want to purchase quality lacquerware, do some hunting and you will find!!! The hunt is part of the fun.
Nov 29th, 2005, 11:24 PM
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If you are interested in the really high quality lacquerware, it's made by a particular family in Bagan. Their factory has been there quite a long time.
All the guides know it and can take you there. One of the family members will give you a tour and show you all the steps of how they create lacquerware, including a trip underground to the drying area. They will also show you examples of the really good stuff vs. the average every day stuff and explain the different methods used in creating it, so you can understand the price difference.
This was a real eye opener for us, as up to that point we had just seen the run of the mill stuff sold at all the temples and markets. I bought a lot of that as good inexpensive small gifts. but I bought a few pieces of the really intricate higher quality lacquerware as my own special keepsakes of the trip.
One other special thing we brought back and I absolutely love, is the handpainted (on cloth) Buddha's foot. Matted and framed, it looks stunning hanging in my living room. This purchase was $10 US at one of the Bagan temples. I bought it directly from the young woman who painted it, and I have great pictures of her painting another one.
All the guides know it and can take you there. One of the family members will give you a tour and show you all the steps of how they create lacquerware, including a trip underground to the drying area. They will also show you examples of the really good stuff vs. the average every day stuff and explain the different methods used in creating it, so you can understand the price difference.
This was a real eye opener for us, as up to that point we had just seen the run of the mill stuff sold at all the temples and markets. I bought a lot of that as good inexpensive small gifts. but I bought a few pieces of the really intricate higher quality lacquerware as my own special keepsakes of the trip.
One other special thing we brought back and I absolutely love, is the handpainted (on cloth) Buddha's foot. Matted and framed, it looks stunning hanging in my living room. This purchase was $10 US at one of the Bagan temples. I bought it directly from the young woman who painted it, and I have great pictures of her painting another one.
