It's craft calling

Entrepreneurs' world

Women entrepreneurs across the City put up a quirky show at the Claytopia Craft Carnival, displaying a range of vibrant, creative products like gift bags, hair accessories, candles, Madhubani paintings, beaded jewellery, Indo-Western chappals, scarves, jackets, herbal teas and many more.

Held at concept cafe Bistro Claytopia where one can eat while painting pottery, the carnival was organised for the second time by owners Kavitha Nambiar and Fathima Rizwan. “Our concept behind this carnival is to provide women artists, artisans and entrepreneurs, especially those who have just started something of their own, with a platform to showcase their work to a wide audience,” they said.

The carnival saw City folks exploring the varied merchandise while enjoying lovely jazz and blues by musician Aman Mahajan on the piano and Matt Littlewood on the saxophone. Many were seen paying a visit to the tarot card reader to know what’s in store for them while the pottery and ceramic painting corner also kept many a young visitor busy. Stalls featuring kitsch art on kettles, bum bags and accessories for dogs by Aarohi, crochet and other knick-knacks by Saritha Ashok and artisanal chocolates by Mubeena Sherrif fascinated several visitors. There were many stalls put up by women who had just taken baby steps into the world of entrepreneurship.

‘Kenisha’ by Khyathi, started earlier this year, specialises in ethnic and contemporary jewellery made with silver and semi-precious beads, manufactured inhouse. Coming from a family of goldsmiths, she said that she’s proud to be the first woman entrepreneur in her family. Darshana, who runs ‘Radicraft’, had innovative bead art, terracotta and quilled jewellery on display. “I have been designing for family and friends for some time but this is the first time that I am participating in a public event. It’s a big boost for me,” she expressed.

Meanwhile, Pavithra quit her job as a banker to start ‘Yoge’ a few months back. She makes colourful yoga mat bags, shoe bags and feminine utility pouches under her label. “All my products are purely fabric based and hence, eco-friendly,” she stated.

   Other stalls like ‘Gilas’ by Nirmala Muralimohan, showcasing fused glass art, also attracted attention. Cheese platters, bowls and clocks made from bottles and pendants, Buddhas and handbag holders made from sheets of glass were the highlight. Some of the glass used was recycled.

The stall by Divya Down’s Development Trust, an institution for individuals with Down’s Syndrome, had items like gel candles, decorative wax candles, table napkins, ‘diyas’ and painted pots created by the children themselves. Esther Thomas, mother of Divya, who started it, said, “Once the children are 16, we start training them in vocational skills and by the age of 18, some of them are able to create these artistic products.”