Metal crafts occupy a place of pride in the field of handicrafts. An old time industrial craft is the bell metal casting. Copper, bronze and brass are used for making idols (in temples) and domestic utensils. The famous Aranmula Kannadi or the metal mirror is made our of an alloy of copper and tin.

Handicrafts-Shopping Tips
Handicrafts, textiles, antiques and jewelry are that you will probably want to buy in Kerala. Unlike most of India, there is very little bargaining in Kerala. Most shops have fixed prices.
You could take home with you excellent samples of Kerala's arts and crafts like handicrafts in wood, horn, metal mirrors, brass lamps, coir mats, handloom fabrics and gold jewelry in exquisite designs. For a good selection of the range of crafts available in Kerala, start with the main Handicrafts emporia in Trivandrum or Cochin. Here you will find intricate rosewood and sandal wood carvings, brass and 'bell metal' lamps and other decorative objects besides a myriad of interesting and useful things made from coconut-shell, coir, cane, bamboo and straw.
Amongst Indian Khadi (handspun and hand woven) and handloom textiles, Kerala's unique fabrics are especially fine Textiles. 

Coir products, woven from coconut husk fiber, are Kerala specialties. In Cochin you can take a motor launch to the Gundu Island, to watch the entire process, and then to select mats and carpets in brightly colored designs or pay a visit to Alleppey. Coir is the major craft/industry in the Alleppey.

In Trivandrum, Kairali, opposite to the secretariat is one of the good handicrafts shop. Natesans, another leading firm has their main showroom on the M.G. Road and has also a branch at I.T.D.C Ashok beach resort in Kovalam. In Cochin, there are several good shops clustered on the small lanes near the Mattancherry - Synagogue. One will find a wealth of lovely things made during the century, which make affordable and extremely rewarding purchases. (Main shop is Arts crafts). Look especially for unusual bronzes and unique decorative items, such as the traditional, intricate old locks.

Even if you are not in the market for a major purchase, a visit to at least one handicraft shop is an experience. One of the main handicrafts shop is Khatasion's Curio palace on the M.G. Road, Ernakulam, selling Handicrafts, carpets, jewelry, skills, paintings, and antiques, where foreign currency and most of the major credit cards are accepted. The prices here are most reasonable and fixed. 

Kerala State handicrafts apex co-op society, Surabhi, situated on the MG Road, Cochin also has a large collection of handicrafts. In addition, there are also many shops small and big in other cities and towns of Kerala.