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Growing up as a Queer first-gen South Asian American in the Chicago suburbs, craft was a core part of my life and how I expressed my identity. As a kid, art was my creative outlet and how I made some of my closest friends. After leaving my tech job, art became a way for me to connect to my own culture. During a life-changing trip to India, I discovered the expansive world of South Asian craft and the incredible organizations that were trying to preserve them. I was able to travel to Rajasthan, experience the local culture, participate in craft workshops to study regional crafts, and learn from villagers that held generational wisdom on the art form. I felt incredibly privileged to get this rare glimpse into such an ancient art form. It inspired me to think of ways to bring this experience to more people within the South Asian diaspora and beyond. Then came the idea for Hamesha Project. My dream for Hamesha Project was to find a way to preserve and honor the full breadth of South Asian crafts, but make experiencing them more accessible. Finally to use what I was so passionate about to bring people together. When I'm not hosting craftworkshops and ideating my next South Asian craft kit, you can find me enjoying the farmers markets and community events of San Francisco, on a run, drawing, or enjoying a nice restaurant.

Kristi Blustein is the visionary founder and owner of KHUS + KHUS, a trailblazing brand championing modern herbal fusion. As an Ayurvedic Specialist, Master Herbalist, and Aromatherapist, Kristi marries her profound knowledge of Vedic Sciences and Yogic philosophy with a contemporary approach to holistic wellness. Her dedication to these ancient traditions is evident not just in her professional endeavors but also in her personal life. Kristi is an ardent practitioner of yoga and meditation, embodying a holistic lifestyle that emphasizes well-being in body, mind, and spirit. Dive deeper into her philosophy and explore her avant-garde herbal concoctions at www.khus-khus.com.