When you think of Nepal, the image of majestic snow-capped mountains likely comes to mind.

However, you might be surprised to learn that Nepal is also the world's largest seller of handicrafts.

In this diverse and culturally rich country, wherever there's a bazaar, there's sure to be a street filled with captivating handicrafts. This holds whether you're in the bustling capital, Kathmandu, or the tranquil town of Badgaon, and even in remote mountain villages.

The wide array of handicrafts on display in Nepal is bound to leave visitors both awe-inspired and eager to take a piece of this enchanting world home with them. Regardless of your country of origin, Nepal's handicraft paradise has something to offer everyone.

Nepalese handicrafts encompass a vast and diverse range of items, such as jewelry boxes adorned with sterling silver, coral, shells, and turquoise, intricately carved wooden fruit plates, ukuleles, Nepalese knitted hats, national handmade clothing, and jade-inlaid sterling silver necklaces, bracelets, and rings.

The quality of these crafts varies, influencing their price, but many are worthy of collection, boasting both high appreciation value and ornamental appeal. Placing these exquisite pieces in your home will infuse it with a profound sense of exotic cultural atmosphere.

One particularly noteworthy craft found in Nepal is papier mâché, a French term meaning "pulp." Although it bears a French name, its origins date back to China during the Han Dynasty. By the 10th century, this craft had spread to regions such as Spain, Germany, France, Persia, and India. Today, the Indian region of Kashmir is renowned for its exquisite papier-mâché products.

Papier-mâché is as durable as it is elegant. It relies on paper as the base material, supplemented with glue as the core raw material. Despite its lightweight nature, papier-mâché boasts strength and resilience. Moreover, it is non-toxic, non-flammable, and safe to use.

The process of crafting papier-mâché works is intricate and involves several steps. Initially, paper is soaked in water to soften and break it down. The pulp is formed through beating and the addition of adhesive or starch, and it is then poured into wooden molds for shaping.

Traditionally, bound papier-mâché is created by mixing water and flour or starch to create a thick paste. Layers of paste are carefully applied one on top of the other to achieve the desired thickness.

After the paper has been sanded to create a smooth texture, the base color is applied. Once dried and shaped, the craft undergoes the meticulous process of hand-painting and lacquering, where skilled artisans adorn the surface with intricate designs.

A final layer of lacquer is applied to provide protection, making the item waterproof, dustproof, and sunproof. After a final polish, the papier-mâché piece is complete.

In 1770, craftsmen in the Dresden region of Germany pioneered an exquisite porcelain craft known as Dresden lace. This unique technique involves immersing real lace in porcelain liquid, which is then meticulously applied by hand to the porcelain body.

After high-temperature firing, the lace burns into a delicate, porcelain lace pattern. Initially, this technique was used to depict the lives of the upper class on porcelain figurines.

The resulting figures and combinations of statues are not only exquisitely styled but also feature intricately detailed lace adorning the garments, creating a layered and folded appearance that closely resembles soft knitwear.