Dabble with pebbles

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Heaps of pebbles no longer exist only in gardens. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes thanks to budding entrepreneur, Neha Patil. Having completed her masters in Luxury Management and Marketing and worked in Dubai, Neha decided to let her creative juices do the talking.

After marriage, she moved to the City and joined her husband’s family business of selling a variety of decorative natural products like tumbled, polished and oriental pebbles. Called ‘Tile Italia Pebbles’, the company also sells granite artifacts like customised garden benches, pergolas, fountains and sculptures, which can be used in a garden or patio. Neha’s mother-in-law Asha who manages the garden manufacturing unit, was supportive of Neha’s idea of introducing pebble-art into the space.

Neha’s pebbles are based on themes like ‘Angry Birds’ cartoons, ‘SpongeBob’ and ‘Patrick Star’, animals, vegetables and even heartfelt engravings.

When she participated in a flea market for the first time, her work was met with great enthusiasm. She then went on to sell her items at bigger events. Although she hasn’t done much marketing, Neha says her products are in-demand and popular. She adds that most her customers have been generous enough to spread the word. The colourful pebbles can be used as showpieces, paper weights and home decor items. The garden pebbles now are an ideal gifting option.

Her trademark products are pebbles with ladybird designs but there are pebbles according to the occasion too. Neha’s Christmas-themed pebbles are up for grabs this festive season, and she promises that her ‘White Christmas package’ is a treat. “We have different designs on pebbles like a reindeer, Santa Claus and fir trees. We planned these prior to October itself. We also put up a stall at a Christmas carnival where we sold as many as 500 pebbles.”  

However, it’s not only the kids and youngsters who love the colours. “People also come in and order pebbles to gift their family and friends for birthdays and weddings. We have pebbles with cute messages for pregnant mothers or those who have just become mothers. We have one pebble that says, ‘Happiness is on its way’,” she laughs.

Although taxing as she has to source the best artists, handle different departments and look up the latest designs, she loves what she does and adds that her mother-in-law’s motivation has helped her come so far. Neha has also started selling pebble candle holders. Neha gets her orders over the phone. One can also walk into her pebble gallery in Koramangala.

For details, visit www.facebook.com/tileitaliapebbles