I come from a background of a life in the arts industries: illustrator, potter, ceramic sculptor, digital artist, public artist, project manager, curator, teacher.In 2008, at a time when most people begin to consider their retirement years, I first visited India. I fell instantly in love with the place, the people and their cultures. Since then, I have been back five times, staying for up to six months at a time.The main reason I keep going back to India is that I find it a fascinating country of many cultures, languages, traditions and geography…. and I find the people very welcoming. Halfway through my first visit, I realised that I wanted to be more than a tourist: I needed to get involved in the country, to ‘get under the skin’ of the place. This has happened by several means – staying in Indian families homes, joining NGOs, working to help people living in poverty to achieve a better life.I also have a passion for beautiful textiles and India is THE place to indulge that passion. It has a fascinating history of handmade textiles in many techniques and it was through this interest that I decided to create an online shop, KASU EMPORIUM, to sell some of the finest work I can find. I am particularly interested in fair trade goods, and this has led me on many happy jaunts to remote mountain villages, city slums and crowded bazaars by trains, rickshaws, rickety buses and planes to find the stock.I have always preferred to travel solo, finding it easier to meet locals and wander off on adventures along the way. But I realise that is not for everyone, especially in India. Many people have asked me to create a guided tour so they can see what I see in India. So that is why I have now created KASU TOURS to take small groups to see some of the India I love.It is through KASU EMPORIUM and KASU TOURS that I am able to continue supporting charities I am involved with in India, with a percentage of all profits at KASU going to support people in need.