She was always inclined to artistic pursuits even as a child. So when it came to academics, Sonali Maniar chose to do a five-year course in Art in Mumbai. She then worked for 10 years in USA as graphic designer for an MNC. But this alone doesn’t explain the sheer creativity she brings to her work. She is currently a designer of greeting cards, gift-accessories, and albums––all handmade paper-products and each being one of its kind. Sonali evidently has a natural aesthetic sense. And that shows everywhere––not only in her work but also her dress sense, and in the very artistic, elegant interiors of her home which is accessorised with some of the finest artifacts around the world where she has travelled to.
These travels have also provided the inspiration, she says, for the exciting variety of motifs and designs one sees in her work. Her paper products cover a wide range––from greeting cards, photocards, gift bags, visiting cards, little dairies, to wine-bottle covers, birthday cards, and announcement cards for events/occasions like anniversaries, promotions, births and housewarming.
The greeting cards are priced at Rs 75 onwards. The price depends on the amount of handwork, cost of embellishments, and on the size/dimensions of the product. All these elements of the product are decided beforehand in discussion with the customer.
Sonali also deals in packaged presents. For example, some customers not only ask for a greeting card but a gift-box to go with it wherein they can put in a certain amount of chocolates or mithai for instance. Sonali also helps source those sweets and chocolates which are then packaged in her handmade product. The base paper is sourced from Bangalore where she is based and even the printing is done here but the embellishments/accessories are almost entirely sourced from Mumbai where her store Temple Tree is located or across the world wherever she travels to.
Sonali also has graphic design for several books to her credit----cookbook by her mother and well-known foodwriter Jyoti Parekh; a children’s storybook; and a guide called Shopping Experiences Bangalore. She is currently working on the design for a cookbook by a famed foodie. A mother of two lively boys and wife of a very senior executive, the stylish and enthusiastic Sonali now hopes to open her second store and this one in Bangalore. For details, contact templetreepaper@gmail.com or 98 452 77749.
