Celebrate Mother’s Day with Silk Paper Flowers from Prokritee
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Time to read 4 min
In the quiet villages of Bangladesh, a powerful transformation is unfolding, handmade by the women who have turned traditional craft into a tool for empowerment. At the heart of this story is Prokritee, a social enterprise that nurtures sustainable livelihoods for women across the country. One of their most captivating creations? Stunning silk paper flowers. These magnificent blooms symbolize resilience, dignity and the beauty of fair trade.
At Ten Thousand Villages, we believe every gift tells a story and these delightful flowers are no exception. A symbol of love and gratitude, they also carry a powerful message of empowerment, dignity and sustainability.
Who are the Women of Prokritee?
Prokritee - the Bengali word for “nature” - is a women-led enterprise that works with rural artisans across Bangladesh. Their mission is to provide safe, sustainable employment to women in vulnerable circumstances, including single mothers, survivors of domestic violence and climate refugees who have been displaced by rising waters and natural disasters.
Through fair wages, stable income and training opportunities, Prokritee helps women achieve financial independence while preserving traditional handicraft skills. The organization supports multiple artisan groups throughout the country, many situated in regions with limited access to employment. By partnering with Ten Thousand Villages, Prokritee ensures these artisans can reach a global audience. That partnership also brings meaningful, handcrafted products into your home.
This Mother’s Day, celebrate the women who inspire us with flowers that do the same.
How the Ecofriendly Silk Paper Flowers Are Made
For many women in rural Bangladesh, access to reliable income is limited. Early marriage, generational poverty and lack of education often block the path to economic independence. But Prokritee changes that. By partnering with women artisans and training them in traditional handicrafts - such as papermaking and flower design - Prokritee opens doors to steady work, fair wages and personal growth.
The vibrant silk paper flowers are made from locally sourced, recycled materials and natural fibers like jute and water hyacinth. Every petal is shaped with care. Every bouquet tells a story and each one is a work of art. Meticulously handcrafted, the process required to make just one flower takes about three hours and includes:
- Hand-cutting delicate petals and leaves
- Painting and dyeing each piece with natural, vibrant hues
- Assembling every flower by hand for a lifelike, lasting bloom
No two flowers are exactly alike. Just as every mother’s love is unique, so is every handmade petal. The result is a bouquet that never wilts and is perfect for brightening a table, decorating a gift or standing alone as a heartfelt gesture.
Enjoy this brief video of the women of Prokritee demonstrating how they make the beautiful Silk Paper Flowers.
These flowers invite us to pause and appreciate the intentional beauty of something handmade. They remind us that even in the most modest of materials there is potential for greatness when nurtured by skilled hands and a hopeful heart.
Why These Mother's Day Flowers Matter
When you purchase a Prokritee flower, you’re doing more than celebrating your Mom, you’re supporting moms around the world. Many of the women working with Prokritee are mothers themselves, living in challenging environments trying to provide food, education and stability for their children. Through their work, they gain agency, confidence and the ability to shape their own futures and create a better one for their children.
Each flower is more than a beautiful object, it’s a lifeline. For the women who craft them, these creations bring financial stability, but they also bring confidence. Many artisans say that joining a Prokritee workshop changed their lives. They’re no longer just surviving, they’re contributing to their families, educating their children and investing in their communities.
Their work environment is safe, inclusive and supportive. Women collaborate, celebrate and uplift each other. Fair trade principles guide every aspect of the production process, ensuring that artisans are paid fairly, treated with respect and given opportunities to thrive both professionally and personally.
In a world where so many women still face systemic barriers, Prokritee provides a path forward that’s rooted in creativity, community and resilience.
The Gift That Lasts Long Past Mother's Day
This Mother’s Day, choose a gift that lives on in more ways than one. A handcrafted silk paper flower is a reminder that beauty can come from resilience. That a small act - like choosing fair trade - can have ripple effects across families and communities.
To hold one of these flowers is to hold the essence of sustainable craftsmanship. Unlike fresh flowers that wilt and fade, these silk paper blossoms are everlasting. They’re perfect for gifts, home décor, weddings and special occasions. Even better, each one comes with the knowledge that it was made ethically and with love.
When you give or display these flowers, you’re not just showcasing art. You’re standing with the artisan who made it. You’re supporting a model of trade that prioritizes people and the planet. And you’re helping Prokritee expand its reach to empower even more women.
So give the gift that says “thank you” in the most meaningful way. Because every mother deserves to feel seen. Every artisan deserves to thrive. And every bloom should tell a story worth sharing.
At Ten Thousand Villages, we're proud to offer these handcrafted silk paper flowers made by the women of Prokritee. Every purchase supports this incredible network of artisans, making it possible for them to bloom, just like the flowers they create.
