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By Kushani Ratnayake

"Greener World", a collection of Eco textile art is run by Amitha Fernando and her husband. All products are made of 100% cotton fabric. They have a wide range of designer quality household items with print images taken directly from nature.

"We started "Greener World" one year ago with a few employees - all our products are environmental friendly", Fernando said.

They use only natural fabrics, such as cotton for all items. The dye processing uses only ecological sound substances including up to 75% plant extracts as dyes. "For dying and printing of materials, we use natural dyes and harmless chemicals", in keeping with European Union legislation on environmental textiles. We avoid using banned dyes and Chemicals", she said.

As for the printing they take designs from nature such as natural plant motifs available in the environment. "We don't draw designs, we copy the exact size".

The rain forest collection includes various types of products such as tablecloths, table runners, mats, napkins, tea cosies, potholders, aprons, tea towels and dishtowels. They also have towels, bath robes and mats in terry and waffle wolves cloth dyed with Ayurvedic medicinal plant extracts, bags, bedspreads, pillowcases, cushion covers and sofa covers.

Amitha's artistry is brought out in her antique jewellery making, a business owned by her family. Although she is heavily involved with work at Greener World, she likes to spend her time on Antique jewellery designing. "I love to draw patterns and to have my own designs".

She enjoys meeting people and travel, "I think we should start with small deals and then move towards big deals, we should first understand the dealer and make him build his trust in us. It is only then we can do business successfully", she said.

She fells that most young people today are afraid to start their own business because of the competitiveness in the market. "You should understand the market and the dealers first, one should climb step by step".

Their future plans are to find more export markets and expand their business, "I like this business very much and I enjoy it, because you can use your creativity to present something beautiful from nature", she said. Amitha and her husband run the business together.

She has travelled widely and visited Japan, Europe, Netherlands, Germany and Belgium.

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Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
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