Hard work and ingenuity have paid off for Everest Pottery, a workshop of artisan group Sana Hastakala based in Kathmandu, Nepal. New innovations with molds, strong design skills and excellent quality control have led to exciting new products from Everest, resulting in increased orders from Ten Thousand Villages.



Everest Pottery founder Shiva Shanker Prajapati has learned pottery making since he was a child: “My forefathers were potters, and making pottery was our tradition,” he described. While he was born into working with clay, Prajapati eventually tired of the craft, and decided to try other pursuits. “I tried to do other work such as cloth weaving and incense making,” he said. However, through some “convincing” training, he once again became excited about pottery and decided to come back to it.



“Clay equals God to me,” said Prajapati, explaining how he has made his life from it. His wife also works with clay, and helps him a great deal.



Prajapati is optimistic about the future of Everest Pottery. “In the past there were fewer resources, less developed technology and fewer markets,” he said. “Now everything is increasing. We now have new techniques for improving quality, and the market is also expanding.”



Prajapati has also experienced great benefits in his own life and the life of his family thanks to improved business at Everest Pottery. “It is a prestigious job, and I enjoy it. My financial status has also gone up, and with this I can support my family and provide them with necessities,” he related. “Overall my living standard has improved; I take this as a reward for my hardship.”