CHENNAI: Were you one among the people who visited the Madras Flea Market at Kalakshetra recently? Well, you probably wouldn’t have missed the vibrant stall that showcased baskets, coasters and other interior decors. If some of you passed it for being bamboo-made decors, you were wrong! Made out of newspapers, tea cartons and shirt packaging material, Pooja Patel’s ‘Craftkari’ is a center where everything is recycled and upcycled.
An IT engineer, Pooja left her cushy job to take care of her five-year-old son and soon ventured into this craft. “I have always loved crafts and wanted to do something productive. Five years ago, I saw a video where a lady from Europe made baskets out of newspapers. I started trying it out and it was a success!” she recalls.
What started out as a hobby turned into a serious venture after suggestions and compliments from friends and relatives started pouring in. “I was gifting this to my close friends and family and they asked me to sell them! That’s how I became an entrepreneur,” she beams as she picks a lamp holder. “This is a paper lamp, but can hold the small diyas. The ones with less temperature can be kept on this and is one of the
festive specials!”
From wall hangings, idols of gods, key-chains, bookmarks, mugs, lamp shades and other decor pieces, Pooja makes a bunch of different items with her primary material — newspaper. She confidently says that she can make other objects too. “I upcycle and recycle everything at home. We cut so many trees to make paper, especially newspapers which most people think are useless after a day or two. So, I thought why not put it to use?” she shares. “I am also planning to experiment with paper-musical instruments, cartoons and so on. I keep myself updated and take suggestions from customers to make it better.”
As most people mistake it for bamboo decor, Pooja chuckles and says that she had to make a few pieces which showed the raw newspaper and not paint it so that it isn't misconstrued again. “I didn’t paint a few mugs and left it with the rustic paper look. Guess what? People love it! It’s trendy and gives a raw look,” she says. The process of making these products is similar to bamboo weaving, but it’s far more intricate since it involves paper. “I have to pin the weaves every now and then to make it sturdy, and apply a top coat to make it water resistant.”
Though she uses acrylic colours predominantly, Pooja opines that she’s trying to move more towards other natural colours. “I have just started using coffee colours. I am experimenting on other ways to make my own natural colour,” she says, pointing to a basket of similar colours.
The price of the products begin at `25 and goes up till `1,500. “They have been tested with light bulbs in them for 17 continuous hours. Only thing people need to be careful about is that the bulb doesn’t touch the paper surface,” she adds.
For details, contact: 9003123767 or visit her page on FB:PoojasCraftkari