AURA QUE http://auraque.posterous.com MADE ETHICALLY IN NEPAL posterous.com Thu, 07 Mar 2013 04:00:00 -0800 The Made By Node Exhibition at Design Museum for Fairtrade Fortnight http://auraque.posterous.com/the-made-by-node-exhibition-at-design-museum http://auraque.posterous.com/the-made-by-node-exhibition-at-design-museum

Made by Node was created by Chris Haughton, a designer and illustrator and also an author of popular childrens books such as 'A bit Lost' with his lovely owl character (see below) which incidently was the first image for the first rug sample!

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Chris and his business partner Akshay, work with Kumbeshwar Technical School, who we work with for AURA QUE handknitted banana yarn scarves.  Having visited the producer group with People Tree, Chris set about working with their Rug Weaving Unit to improve the way they interpreted designs and connect them with new illustrators and designers, so Made by Node was born!
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I am really excited about this project, as the rugs are really beautiful and creates work for a small department within Kumbeshwar, a very well organised and positive organisation run by the lovely Khadgi family. THe rugs are beautifully designed and made, and with such a positive story behind them, and such variety of designs, the collective will definately get a positive response, starting with the cover of Creative Review and some great UK press for the project!

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Take a look at their website - the video is really beautiful, and only two minutes long, and shows how the rugs are made in Nepal.

http://www.madebynode.com/

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See most of the rug designs by 18 different artists below in the picture gallery:

Beatrice Alemagna | Sanna Annukka | Lesley Barnes | Petra Borner | Chamo | Benji Davies | Chris Haughton | Clayton Junior | Jon Klassen | Micah Lidberg | Joe Magee | Geoff McFetridge | Neasden Control Centre | Patternity | Serge Seidlitz | Marcroy Smith | Kevin Waldron | Donna Wilson

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Tue, 05 Mar 2013 04:00:00 -0800 Visiting the Divine Chocolate Pop-up Shop for Fairtrade Fortnight! http://auraque.posterous.com/visiting-the-divine-chocolate-pop-up-shop-for http://auraque.posterous.com/visiting-the-divine-chocolate-pop-up-shop-for

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At the weekend I managed to pop into the Divine Chocolate pop up shop in Monmouth Street, Covent Garden - with such combinations as Toffee & Sea Salt, how could I resist!!

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I loved the window display with all different divine chocolate bars suspended from the ceiling, it looks fab! I love the patterns and colours of the packaging, they looks so beautiful, its a shame to open! Of course we tried the free samples :) and stock up on choclate for presents, though me and my sister couldnt help tucking into the toffee/sea salt bar - hhmmmm!

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Divine chocolate is made by cocoa farmers in Ghana, who own 45% of the company. and as Divine says 'you can be sure our chocolate's made with pride' because of this! The chocolate is certified fairtrade with the fairtrade symbol on the packaging. They say its a challenge to compete with the big boys in the chocolate industry, but after trying their amazing flavours, I definately prefer to choose Divine!

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Here is the Divine Chocolate event calendar for the rest of the week:

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Fri, 01 Mar 2013 04:00:00 -0800 AURA QUE in Fairtrade Supporters Booklet for hometown Holmfirth, West Yorkshire http://auraque.posterous.com/aura-que-in-fairtrade-supporters-booklet-for http://auraque.posterous.com/aura-que-in-fairtrade-supporters-booklet-for

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Growing up in Holmfirth, in West Yorkshire, may be a sharp contrast to the chaos of Kathmandu and the city brights of London, but I have been lucky to have much support from not only friends and family at home, but local businesses and mentors who have helped me establish and develop my business over the years.

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So I am realy pleased to be part of the Holme Valley Fairtrade Supporters Group brochure which promotes local businesses, including AURA QUE but also promoting our fairtrade friends and other local businesses:

Fair & Funky, who provide fantastic creative and educational workshops for community groups and children across West Yorkshire, promoting fairtrade and recycling ethos.  https://twitter.com/fair_funky

Bolling Coffee who produce Grumpy Mule Fairtrade coffee from beans sourced from fair trade and small cooperative farming units far and wide. https://twitter.com/GrumpyMule

and the Fair Traders Cooperative, a local boutique for food, fashion and gifts from fairtrade sources, or recycled concepts or local companies - they even stock AURA QUE products! https://twitter.com/FairTradersCoop

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Mon, 25 Feb 2013 04:00:00 -0800 Buy Fair Trade for 2013 and support producers in developing countries like Nepal!! http://auraque.posterous.com/buy-fair-trade-for-2013-and-support-producers http://auraque.posterous.com/buy-fair-trade-for-2013-and-support-producers

Fair Trade Fortnight is upon us for 2013!! Please support by promoting the fair trade message and buying fair trade products that help give producers and farmers in developing countries a fair wage for their work, allowing them to support their families for a better future!

This short video by Fair Trader Foundation UK describes what fair trade is and how you can do your bit to help!


Here at AURA QUE, we have launched a small Twitter competition where you can follow and retweet with a hashtag for #fairtradefortnight to win one of our popular TARA Hobo's in Grey or Black Leather with handknitted banana yarn fibre! Winner to be picked by Sunday 3rd March 2013 from all new followers!

See our twitter feed: http://twitter.com/auraque

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Sun, 24 Feb 2013 04:00:00 -0800 From first sample to fairly traded production - LILA Handbag http://auraque.posterous.com/from-first-sample-to-fairly-traded-production http://auraque.posterous.com/from-first-sample-to-fairly-traded-production

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With Fairtrade Fortnight just around the corner, I wanted to show the time and effort that goes into producing each AURA QUE design.  With the initial designs put together in the UK, I then work with Kumar in the sampling unit at the leather factory in Kathmandu, to get the pattern correct, make changes and develop the bags into the final samples.

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Here you can see Kumar working on the initial idea for LILA - our large weekender handbag - we work on the patterns together, making changes as we go along.  This way, we can make sure the proportions are correct and the look is as desired.  We also check that the making process is possible for a production, with minimal quality control issues and challenges without compromising on the design.

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LILA weekender is available with handknitted banana yarn panels or all in leather, currently priced at £95 from our AURA QUE online boutique - click here: http://shop.auraque.com/products

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Sat, 16 Feb 2013 09:50:00 -0800 WFTO reports about fair trade producer group in Nepal! http://auraque.posterous.com/wfto-reports-about-fair-trade-producer-group http://auraque.posterous.com/wfto-reports-about-fair-trade-producer-group

Article on the World Fair Trade Organisation WFTO website about one of our producer groups Kumbeshwar Technical School who handknit all our banana yarn scarves and accessories

http://www.wfto.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1898&Itemid=314

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Article as found on WFTO website:

“Equal Opportunity for All” at the Kumbeshwar Technical School (KTS), Nepal

13 February 2013

The history of Kumbeshwar Technical School (KTS) and its relationship with the local community dates back to 1983 when Siddhi Bahadur Khadgi, Founder Chairman, discovered a certain group of people living in unhealthy and poor conditions on the north side of the Kumbeshwar temple in Patan, Nepal. Referred to as the untouchables or “Podee” in Nepali, they were classified under the lowest ranking caste, also known as Sudra. Due to such social discrimination, they were often shunned and considered as bad luck by the general population. Their role in the community is to clean the streets of Patan before dawn when people are still asleep. It is believed that any person who caught a glimpse of the “Podees” would face immediate bad luck.

Fellow country man Kiran Khadgi was eager to help this marginalized group. Khadgi studied how to work with “podees” in order to help them. He and his family took the challenge by first establishing a day care center for children and offering them washing facilities, clothes and food. Their work was soon appreciated and supported by the Douglas Memorial Old Missionary Evangelism, who helped the family organize a 6-month adult literacy program. Following the adult literacy program, the adults were asked about what they would like to be taught as a life-skill. Their unanimous decision was to learn hand knitting and carpet weaving. Therefore, the Khadgi family opened the doors of their home, which served as a training center. With help from foreign volunteers, they started to develop design and partnerships with Fair Trade Organizations and export their handicrafts in 1985.

Please see link to read rest of the article...

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Thu, 14 Feb 2013 04:00:00 -0800 Happy Valentines Day from AURA QUE!! http://auraque.posterous.com/happy-valentines-day-from-aura-que http://auraque.posterous.com/happy-valentines-day-from-aura-que

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Wishing you all a Happy Valentines Day from AURA QUE!

Here is a cute heart felted purse from one of our suppliers!

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Even in Kathmandu, gifts of flowers, chocolates and musical cards are given to loved ones to celebrate the western tradition of Valentines Day!

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Tue, 05 Feb 2013 04:00:00 -0800 Ten years on from my first visit to Nepal! http://auraque.posterous.com/ten-years-on-from-my-first-visit-to-nepal http://auraque.posterous.com/ten-years-on-from-my-first-visit-to-nepal

Well how is this to make me feel old? Its ten years this month since I first lived in Nepal for five months before art college in 2003.  I was based in the Terai southern region of the country, in a rural village with two other English girls, Kate and Hannah, teaching conversational English classes at the local school!

That was when I realised that I loved the people and the country Nepal, but teaching languages was not my calling! Especially with classes of up to 60 kids! We managed to have fun doing various word games, making activities, outdoor games and English conversation, to liven up the kids' school day - as in rural government schools, education and learning generally consisted of chanting phrases unfortunately.

Anyway, here are some pictures I have dug out from that trip, in the school and at the Nepali family house we lodged in the local area. Brought back lots of good memories for me!!

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Thu, 24 Jan 2013 04:00:00 -0800 Making our patchwork leather bags to minimise our leather wastage! http://auraque.posterous.com/making-our-patchwork-leather-bags-to-minimise http://auraque.posterous.com/making-our-patchwork-leather-bags-to-minimise

Here is one of our producers, Bagarwati in the factory, placing our leather patchwork pieces together in our diamond pattern for our current range of leather bags. 

Some times it is hard to find uses for all the smaller pieces of leather after cutting out all pieces, so it is great to work with these on these patchwork designs!

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ESTA Satchel - priced at £59

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ALINA Tote with inside zip closure - priced at £69

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SHANTI Clutch with detachable braided leather strap - priced at £39

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MENKU Handbag with zip closure - priced at £59

Its like a puzzle getting the right colours in the right order for the pattern! We also used some leftover scraps of a lovely dark gold leather we found, to jazz up our black leather versions!

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Wed, 16 Jan 2013 04:00:00 -0800 Our sample maker Kumar wears our VELA Neck Scarf in Nepali winter! http://auraque.posterous.com/our-sample-maker-kumar-wears-our-vela-neck-sc http://auraque.posterous.com/our-sample-maker-kumar-wears-our-vela-neck-sc

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Kumar, who helps me with all leather samples, pictured here in our geometric patterned VELA Neck scarf - keeping him warm from the Nepali winter, which is supposed to be even colder this year!

Our VELA Neckscarves are reduced from £29 to £22 for our SALE - check out our online boutique:

http://shop.auraque.com/products

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Tue, 27 Nov 2012 04:00:00 -0800 AURA QUE at FORMS Boutique in Camden, North London http://auraque.posterous.com/aura-que-at-forms-boutique-in-camden-north-lo http://auraque.posterous.com/aura-que-at-forms-boutique-in-camden-north-lo

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For this season, AURA QUE is now stocked at Forms in Camden, North London. A lovely boutique in Camden Lock, our jacquard/leather handbags and accessories have been placed along side lots of other lovely gifts and products! See the pictures below in store....

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Founded in 2011 December, FORMS is a North London based lifestyle/culture shop offering accessories, homeware and stationery from undiscovered, classic and contemporary labels. All products are sourced around the world - from UK to the unexplored corners of the Japan. We hope you can find something special in the shop.

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Forms in open Mon 11-6pm, and Weds to Sun 11-6pm

FORMS, Camden Town, Unit 16 Camden Lock Place, NW1 8AS London

Go visit!

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Tue, 20 Nov 2012 04:00:00 -0800 Celebrating World Children's Day in Nepal at Kumbeshwar's School http://auraque.posterous.com/celebrating-world-childrens-day-in-nepal-at-k http://auraque.posterous.com/celebrating-world-childrens-day-in-nepal-at-k

World Children's Day is celebrated internationally in over 100 countries, established by the UN General Assembly in 1954 to celebrate children and promoting access to an education. It is meant to promote childhood, which can only be a good thing!

The Nepali primary school in Patan, supported by Kumbeshwar Technical School (our fantastic knit producer) celebrated Children's Day in September (some countries have different dates, but still a great reason to celebrate!).  All the children from nursery to Class 6 were involved in the festivities, with a program of poem competitions, quiz contest (on fair trade of course...) and all children were encouraged to perform!

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Shell Roti snacks kept the kids happy, and even some of the youngest performers were rewarded for their efforts!

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Kumbeshwar Technical School also awarded size recent graduates who were top of their class in their new secondary school, to encourage them!

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Great stuff Kumbeshwar, and Happy World Children's Day!

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Wed, 17 Oct 2012 05:00:00 -0700 How to use a fire extinguisher in Nepal... http://auraque.posterous.com/how-to-use-a-fire-extinguisher-in-nepal http://auraque.posterous.com/how-to-use-a-fire-extinguisher-in-nepal

At Kumbeshwar Technical School, who produce all our handknitted banana yarn products, gave all their inhouse staff lessons in fire safety....

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and how to use a fire extinguisher....

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As well as fire escape routes and orientation, phew!

Lets hope they never have to use it though, but it looks like a fun exercise from the pics :)

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Tue, 09 Oct 2012 17:21:18 -0700 The world's largest Thangka painting displayed on the national football pitch in Kathmandu http://auraque.posterous.com/the-worlds-largest-thangka-painting-displayed http://auraque.posterous.com/the-worlds-largest-thangka-painting-displayed

I just found our about something really exciting, that I WISH I was in Kathmandu to go and see at the moment!! The world's largest Thangka painting, traditional silk painting on embroidry, is on display at the Dashrath Stadium in Kathmandu. Ten thousand volunteers worked on it over the period of 8 years to as part of an exhibition to promote world peace.

How fantastic does it look? I love the traditional Buddhist thangka's anyway - they are such beautiful and colourful works of art, painted with such precision by trained painters, depicting whole stories, characters and Buddhist philosophies.

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"The world’s Largest Thangka (50meter × 70meter) depicting the Life Cycle of Lord Gautama Buddha has recently been exhibited in Dasharath Stadium, Nepal. Depicted in this art masterpiece is Lord Buddha’s life story, which is traditionally summarized in the twelve deeds that he performed from his coming to the world to his passing away.

It took 8 years to complete this Thangka for 10,000 volunteers from 16 different countries including Nepal and Japan. Different organizations from various countries have supported to complete this Thangka providing necessary materials.

This Thangka had been exhibited in Japan, United States of America, India and Mongolia before this spreading the teachings of Buddha as well as the message of world peace and unity. We humbly request all organizations and individuals to support whole heartedly to make this gala event a grand success."

http://www.echitwan.com.np/

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Mon, 08 Oct 2012 04:00:00 -0700 At the Fair Trade Supporters Conference in London - 6 October 12 http://auraque.posterous.com/at-the-fair-trade-supporters-conference-in-lo http://auraque.posterous.com/at-the-fair-trade-supporters-conference-in-lo

I went to the Fair Trade Supporter Conference in Blackfriars London at the weekend - thought it would be good to see what was going on with Fair Trade around the UK!

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I was lucky to briefly meet Harriet Lamb, who has been an inspiring Fair Trade pioneer for many years and currently the CEO of Fairtrade International (of course I gave her an AURA QUE catalogue!) and also hear stories from various Fair Trade support groups around the UK who are campaigning for their local fair trade shops, promoting fair trade produce and faily traded gifts (such as AURA QUE) and lobbying government and corporations for change in their policies.

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There was also the Fair Trade Campaign Awards 2012, celebrating many local support groups with various awards for their energy and enthusiasm to promote fair trade in creative ways in their towns, such as Eastborne, who apparently processed a fair trade clothes washing line down the high street among other activities!!

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Anyway, I found it really inspiring to meet so many enthusiastic people, who were passionate about making a difference to help people in developing countries, making fairtrade sugar, coffee, cotton and banana's amongst other products.

The Fair Trade Shops workshop was also insightful to hear advice and thoughts from various shop owners and volunteer staff from fair trade boutiques around the country. All really positive - good start to the weekend!

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Fri, 28 Sep 2012 04:00:00 -0700 Geometric Pattern Inspiration from Maya for our AW12 Banana Yarn Range http://auraque.posterous.com/geometric-pattern-inspiration-from-maya-for-o http://auraque.posterous.com/geometric-pattern-inspiration-from-maya-for-o

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This is Maya, she works as the tealady and cleaner at the Nepal Leprosy Trust Office and Factory in Kathmandu.  Last winter, when I was at the factory, I loved this combination of her handknitted patterned cardy, with the bright red sari with gold trim- I think it looks great!

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Since then, I used a similar geometric pattern for our handknitted banana yarn range, including the PARVA Knitted shopper (retailing at £49), the MANI Knit Purse (retailing at £10) and the VELA Neck Scarf (retailing at £29).
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The PARVA Shopper and MANI Purses have full zip closure, with black lining to help protect your contents inside! Available in Grey Mono (above) and Purple/Green (below left) and Coral/Blue (below right) - hope you like the splash of colour for winter!

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Thu, 09 Aug 2012 12:00:00 -0700 AURA QUE Travel Dresses in the window display at Fair Trader in Holmfirth.... http://auraque.posterous.com/aura-que-travel-dresses-in-the-window-display http://auraque.posterous.com/aura-que-travel-dresses-in-the-window-display

Our travel dresses have proved popular this summer, and I am really pleased to see a window display at the Fair Trader store in Holmfirth, West Yorkshire!

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The Fair Trader promotes local products and fair trade products from abroad such as AURA QUE - I am pleased to work with them as it is in my local village Holmfirth where I grew up as a teenager!

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Please check out the Fair Trader website below for more blog entries and their online boutique:

http://www.thefairtraderscooperative.co.uk/

http://fairtraderscooperative.wordpress.com/2011/04/01/event-review-moving-mo...

 

 

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Thu, 26 Jul 2012 12:00:00 -0700 AURA QUE Travel Range in bright printed patterns available now! Including the Travel Dress, Sleeping Bag Liner and Cotton Bag for your travels! http://auraque.posterous.com/aura-que-travel-range-in-bright-printed-patte http://auraque.posterous.com/aura-que-travel-range-in-bright-printed-patte

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Last week, the new AURA QUE Travel Range arrived from our new supplier in Nepal! To develop the new range I worked with Sudip and his small local family business, where he produces garments and clothing from brightly coloured printed indian cotton.

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I wanted to do a small range of travel products from this fun printed fabric, that you can throw into your suitcase when off on your travels! Having spent a lot of time travelling and living out of suitcases, I know how important space is in your luggage!! We have just started with three products, described below:

The TRAVEL DRESS in a drawstring bag (retails at £15) that is fully lined, so can be worn as a day dress around town or on the beach as well as a night dress, depending on what you want! It rolls up small as it is such light cotton! Available in two sizes: S/M (8-10) and M/L (12-14) with elasticated back panel and adjustable straps. http://shop.auraque.com/product/travel-dress-in-a-bag

Available in four bright colours! Red, Blue, Purple and Aqua Green (see below). And we had a great response to these at the Tatton Flower Show last week!

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The TRAVEL COTTON BAG is a simple large shopper around 50x42cm, with lengthy handles so that it fits easily onto your shoulder, and you can roll it up in your handbag and use when necessary.  I have the Aqua Green one rolled up in my bag at the moment, incase things overflow!! Priced at a reasonable £6, I hope they are good little gifts also! http://shop.auraque.com/product/travel-cotton-bag

I always wanted a colourful TRAVEL SLEEPING BAG LINER, rather than the navy blue or khaki green ones you get in trekking shops, as they are so useful when you are backpacking in hostels, travelling on overnight trains in Asia and other places abroad! I hope the patterns brighten things up and thought these would be great presents for people off on their adventures! Available in eight colours and retails at £18. (see below) http://shop.auraque.com/product/travel-sleeping-bag-in-a-bag

Hope you like the new products! And please check them out on the AURA QUE Online Boutique: http://shop.auraque.com/products

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Mon, 23 Jul 2012 12:00:00 -0700 AURA QUE at RHS Tatton Park Flower Show last week... http://auraque.posterous.com/aura-que-at-rhs-tatton-park-flower-show-last http://auraque.posterous.com/aura-que-at-rhs-tatton-park-flower-show-last

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Last week we were at the RHS Tatton Park Flower Show in the Country Living Tent, selling our current AURA QUE products. It was a great opportunity to meet with prospective customers and also get some feedback on our product range, directly from the visitors.  We also managed to have a sneaky peek at all the flower displays and gardens around the show, as well as sample the many great foody products on offer!

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We had stock of our new Travel Range (see below) - including the Travel Dress in drawstring bag, Sleeping Bag liner in drawstring bag and Travel Cotton Bag, all in fun bright paisley and patterned cotton fabrics.  The Travel Dresses especially proved to be popular gift purchases!

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Even in the fantastic sunny weather, we still sold many of our VELA Neck scarves in the handknitted banana yarn (see below) for winter!

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We also had our new jacquard/leather styles such as the ESTA Satchel shown below in summery bright coloured patterns...

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Our JOGI Bag range proved really popular!

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So I am not really a flowery gardener type, it was amazing all the flower displays and gardens, some with inspiring thought provoking messages, such as the Quaker 'World without Torture' Garden (see: http://www.wirralchesterquakers.org.uk/q-cat/garden.html) and the 'Sister Sufragette' Garden inspired by 'Vote for Women'.

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and to top it all off, who would not be amazed to see the Queens Jubilee and the Houses of Parliament complete with fireworks, depicted in a flower display! (see below)

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Mon, 09 Jul 2012 12:00:00 -0700 AURA QUE will be at the RHS Flower Show at Tatton Park in Cheshire between 18-22 July 2012! http://auraque.posterous.com/aura-que-will-be-at-the-rhs-flower-show-at-ta http://auraque.posterous.com/aura-que-will-be-at-the-rhs-flower-show-at-ta

AURA QUE will be at the RHS Flower Show at Tatton Park in Cheshire between 18th July and 22nd July 2012!  We will be at Stand 39 in the Country Living Tent, selling a range of our products from the leather bags, cotton jogi bags, scarves and leather goods!

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We are hoping we will have time to look at all the flower and garden displays at the event, and hoping that the English weather holds out too!

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Find our more information about the event here:

http://www.rhs.org.uk/Shows-Events/RHS-Show-Tatton-Park/2012

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