Bangalore is all hip and happening and there is no dearth of things to do around the city. Arts and crafts are the latest on everyone’s to do list. Designers and artists are only too happy to share their artistic endeavours and do so online.
Painting workshops have been a favourite since forever and Raksha Umesh of Pretty Palette says: “Today, people don’t want to buy random stuff. Instead they want to learn the art of what goes in it.” Next on the hit list is jewellery and candle making — we sure have come a long way from being open mouthed at the idea of Dimple Kapadia making candles! Sumathi Vinod says: “I conduct workshops on terracotta jewellery and designer candle making. I start from the basics for each. Water candles, picture candles and aromatic ones have the biggest fan following.”
Divya Thallap is among the forerunners in promoting the decoupage trend in Bangalore through her page Yelling Yellow. “I don’t just sell art, but a story. Decoupage is one of the most popular DIY crafts. It’s easy, clean, super quick and most of all, pretty! You are left with the satisfaction of not just creating art but altering something that has been lying around your home.”
Owner of Under the Yellow Tent, Deepthi Vinod, conducts workshops on terracotta jewellery making and decoupage. She observes: “Bangaloreans love art. It’s really amazing how you don’t have to go a store anymore to buy art. With a little bit of patience and a good eye, you can make things at home.”
Pooja Ajmera, proprietor of Teekhii Chhurii, who conducts paper cutting workshops, “Since paper cutting is a niche art form, people want to learn and explore it to understand the nuances of the artwork.”
Pratyusha M.V.’s Pratvam Progs evolved from being just a hobby. “I conduct quilling workshops for kids and adults. Each level deals with different techniques from basic shapes to typographical quilling or 3-D quilling. Quilled/ paper jewellery is currently a hot favourite.”
You’ve made your jewellery and now you need a bag? Susan John of A Sunny Disposition and Sudha of Madras Motif have come together to conduct workshops in bag making. “A lot can be done with a simple home sewing machine and many people are unaware of it. Our workshops show them how it can be put to use if you possess basic sewing skills,” Susan says. Their last workshop saw them teach students to make fold over clutches. The class also includes methods on attaching zippers, colour blocking, interfacing the bag to give it some form of structure, etc.
There are facilitators being brought in as well. At Bloom and Grow, Carol Pinto says: “Charcoal sketching is doing very well. Classes are conducted at the basic and advanced levels. The trainer right now is Glen D’Souza, a charcoal artist from Mangalore.
Children have dedicated workshops too. Varsha Agarwal of Spring-The-Creative-Infinity says: “We promote the culture of craft by provide easy handmade kits for various crafts. We arrange workshops for children on origami, clay modelling, paper craft, and best of waste.”
Spring also conducts workshops free of cost for underprivileged children.”
Similarly, Pooja Haria of Confetti hosts DIY workshops for kids on a variety of crafts that include matchbox storybooks, superhero capes, creative face masks, and umbrella painting, among others.
“Our workshops are a convergence of art and science. We offer two-week courses on techniques such as 3D art making, doodling merged with augmented reality photography, creating canvas paintings that are turned into bags/wallets, and eco-friendly DIY crafts.”
Apart from homemakers, there are also people like Pushpanjali P.D., a HR manager, by profession, who in her spare time conducts fashion jewellery courses.
“My students include housewives, working women and teenagers.
“While some take up the classes to nurture their hobby, others come with the intention of starting their own venture.”
