The Story Behind Our New Centrepoint Store

Have you visited Tree of Life's store in the amazing new Centrepoint Shopping Centre?

We're located in the eclectic urban precinct on the basement level.

You can't miss us - we are excited to have developed a store front that is unique, authentic and beautiful. It is composed of genuine hand-carved printing blocks sourced from the desert area of Rajasthan in India.

The textured, red ropes which festoon the ceiling of our new store suggest the hand weavers’ looms, and pay homage to the fabulous handwoven textiles of India. We're all about the decorative arts and crafts, and at last we have a store that reflects that passion.

Tree of Life takes a special interest in the hand block craft.

This gentle and artistic industry is largely run by families to this day. Most adult members of the family share in the work - carving the wooden blocks, preparing dyes or stamping the patterns on cloth by hand. Many dyes are made from natural products - pomegranate seeds, iron, and the indigo plant.

One workshop we regularly visit is a rambling three-story home built around a tree. It hums with life! Downstairs the father prepares the dyes; on the middle level the mother concentrates on swift, precise hand-blocking; and upstairs the grandmother sews and chats to the children when they return from school. Entering this home is like a glimpse into an idyllic, lost world and indeed, each year fewer families pursue the craft.

Tree of Life is committed to fostering the art of hand block by sharing it with you year after year, in the hope it remains a sustainable industry for these specialist family workshops........

And a source of joy and wonder for the rest of us!