A table with neatly arranged hand-crafted boxes, books, and flowers greets me at the Craft Caravan workshop. Reena Dhairyawan (46) from Mumbai is all set to teach us craft making at an event organised by Vama.
Dressed in a black kurti, a smiling Reena Dhairyawan arrives and takes us through the craft material that is displayed in front of us. “These decorative boxes can used to keep your make up items. You can also gift these boxes. The foamiran flowers are made using foam sheets, which are imported from Iran. In mixed media boxes, we use textured paints for the décor.”
Scenes from the workshop
The participants are asked to choose the craft they want to learn at the workshop. I decide to make a scrap book. “ You have to use good quality paper, preferably recycled paper,” says Dhariyawan as she hands me a scoring board with measurements. A set of instructions follow on how to cut and fold papers.
She instructs me to insert barbecue skewers through the folded edges of papers. “These sticks act as the spine of the book. Secure all the sticks with a jute thread.”Then, she goes on to guide me on how to decorate the outer cover. After three hours, I have made my first scrap book!
She moves on to another participant who is making a mixed media and advises her to choose lighter colours. “Dab the sponge gently on the paper,” she tells her.
Reena Dhairyawan with her mixed media craft box
Dhairyawan who started teaching craft 18 years ago says she was a crafter from a young age. “While studying, I always scored well in my craft subjects. My mother identified my passion for the crafts, and bought me crafts books. These books had lot of pictures but there was no instruction. It was all by trial-and-error that I learnt to experiment to a variety of craft materials that is available in local market. I started conducting summer classes for kids in my apartment from when I was in class 8 or so.”
Later, while working as a hair dresser, she learnt to make decorative candles as a part of aroma therapy. This brought her back to crafts and that’s when she decided to make it a full-time profession. “For my first class, I had six students and we made around 25 candles,” she remembers fondly. She started an exclusive craft store that stocked craft materials, some of which are imported.
Scenes from the workshop
The craft lover also attended courses in Sospeso Trasparente and Pergamano Parchment art. Sospeso Transparente teaches you to make flowers from plastic sheets by applying heat. Pergamano Parchment craft is a form of paper lacing and Dhairyawan is one of the five certified trainers in India in this art.
She regularly attends classes to keep herself updated and also follows online tutorials. Besides conducting regular craft classes from her home in Mumbai, she also teaches at schools. “ It’s my students who recommended the idea of a craft caravan where I tour to different cities like Chennai, Bengaluru, Hydrabad, and Raipur. Coimbatore is my first stop,” smiles Dhariyawan.
She says, “I don’t copy others work. I understand the concept, and then use my creativity to come up with a new design. I always tell my participants to use quality craft products. A lot of work goes into making craft. I hope people start appreciating our efforts.”
When & Where
Reena Dhairyawan’s crafts caravan workshop is on till January 22
The timing is 9.00 am to 6.00 pm
@ The Grand Regent
Contact 9894040571
