Since the discussion on Insta/FB sellers came up today, sharing in this thread the list of direct weavers/manufacturers/artisans/brands I have bought from & have served me so well.

P.S: Their price is lesser than 'Brands' doesn't mean they are negotiable or can be exploited. https://twitter.com/_drongo/status/1302886696543858694

Also a personal tip to buy from Insta/FB is not to go by the photos alone (most people do). Go for the raw photos of the products. They're mostly the weavers/artisans (A linen saree manufacturer told me that he saved for 3 months to buy a phone for Rs.10k to take photos).

Also, Instagram algorithm brings you what you most follow. If you follow brands which have tagged themselves as 'Luxury brands' or 'Online Shopping Store' you will be provided with a lot of the same pages in your explore page. Follow manufacturers/weavers, then you find them more

For the famous Aayiram Butta Sarees, in cotton and silk cottons, check this weaver from Kanchipuram. They have a huge collection, have been extremely responsive, and super polite (cost reduces when in bulk for occassions).

https://www.instagram.com/venkateswaraweaver/

For Jhamdani sarees, follow this page. They are weavers and their products are so elegant. Would be super helpful if you know Hindi. Even if not, they are so lovely.

https://www.instagram.com/jamdani_manufacturar/

For Chikankari work Kurtas and Material, try Bakhia. The best thing about this page is you can customize - the material, work (she send the block designs), size and everything. She takes lot of time but totally worth it (I customized this Kurta. Beauty!)

https://www.instagram.com/bakhiachikankar/

For the glorious Ajrakh, buy from this manufacturer. He manufacturers both cotton and silk. And the cost is 40% lesser than what you find in those famous 'brand' pages (He is no nonsense talker & curt. But,he is a pro in what he does).

https://www.instagram.com/ajrakh_block_prints.indigo/

Another Ajrakh manufacturer whom I would suggest is 'Ja-Khatri'. He is superb to go for buying Ajrakh running materials and sarees as well. He does customize sarees, if he is in good mood & has got time. But, he is just super good overall.

https://www.instagram.com/makebelievebizarre/

If you love dupattas & florals, then go to 'Sandeep di Hatti'. Run by Ms.Rupanshi, the page is an outlet of her grand father's shop in Amritsar. She is sweet. I found her pricing lesser than the sellers in the famous handicraft/Kalakshetra exhibitions.

https://www.instagram.com/sandeepdihatti/ 

For Tussars, running materials/kurta/sarees, check this weaver/manufacturer. He doesn't update his insta page & I found him in FB. But, leave him a message in his Whatsapp (9590236198).

https://www.instagram.com/sapnasilk_tussar/

For the recently famous Banana Silk sarees (Chinnalapatti Sarees) for which the M brand is charging Rs.4k, check this weaver. The sarees are actually around Rs.1k only. This page is responsive. Haven't bought though.

https://www.instagram.com/premi_collections/

One of my favourite artists is Ms.Suvi Aggarwal. Send her any floral design you want, she handpaints them on any material wh you can make as dress/kurtas/tops anything. I love her. I respect her a lot. Her handpainted products are the real luxury.

https://www.instagram.com/suviaggarwal/ 

I have a penchant for blues and I love the Jaipur blue pottery. This page for stone wares is directly run by the manufacturers. They have a quote, catalogue, price listing. They ship across the world, packaging is secure. Very professional.

https://www.instagram.com/jaipur_blue_art_pottery/

An artist I love and follow and seen her grow is Ms.Shibani. Her work is predominantly in ceramics and I love love the name plates she does. Super responsive and I have took tips from her on painting, which she shares so generously.

https://www.instagram.com/by_shibani/ 

For your imitation jewellery craze or wedding time purchases, check this guy. A manufacturer of imitation jewellery. You send the imitation to him,& he gets you the same.I got my imitation jewellery for my wedding from him(price is lesser than rentals).

https://www.instagram.com/ginnis_collection/

For your home decor like bed sheets, cushion covers, bed covers, check this page. He is humble and great. Would be great if you know Hindi. Even if not (I don't know Hindi), he is super good and responsive. He is manufacturer.

https://www.instagram.com/majisha_art/ 

For Sungudi Sarees (I am still not sure on the prices. I once found a weaver who said it's around Rs.500). But, to buy the sarees, send a whatsapp message to Rani RMS, Madurai. They are manufacturers. Price is lesser than brands. Whatspp No: 8852452727.

That's all for today folks. These are few that came top of my mind. I found them all using hashtags & have been following them for the past few years. Will update this thread in the coming days. If you really want to support weavers/artisans, you really can.Just look for them! :)