Shell craft is one of the most popular handicrafts of Andaman Islands. The shell crafts include ashtrays, lamps, buttons and jewelry made from the polished, decorative shells. The tortoise shell is the interesting resource material available. These shells are large and available in beautiful shades. The articles like table lamps, small round and square boxes and some decorative items made from the tortoise shells are available. Handicrafts from coconut shells
As coconut trees are available in large numbers, they are the best natural resources for handicrafts of Andaman & Nicobar. The items like finger bowls, table lamps and some other objects made from the coconut shells are very popular among the tourists.
The large and beautiful shells found in abundance in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. are cleaned and polished before being used to make ashtrays, small boxes, bangles, table lamps, and jewellery. An interesting and beautiful resource is the tortoise shell which is often inlaid with silver, and used to make jewellery and decorative artefacts such as rings and crosses to be worn around the neck. Shell, because of its light colour and luminous properties, is also being used for inlay work.
Not long ago, the local industries department at Port Blair initiated training in making articles out of coconut shells. The items, which include table lamps, finger bowls and other objects, have become quite popular. Jewellery made of coconut shell is another possibility, which may find an export market.
This is a versatile craft and the articles made out of coconut shells range from table lamps and finger bowls to boxes and even jewellery. Basketry and mat-weaving are traditional crafts of the Nicorbarese and are usually done by the women in their leisure time. Mats are made from coconut stems and pandanus leaves and are used for sitting, sleeping, and making the walls of huts. Very often light and dark leaves are interwoven to create intricate patterns. The mats are soft, light, and cool, and have a glossy surface.