Tuesday, August 31, 2010

paint your prayers...

This post is largely inspired by Geninne Zlatkis, one of my earliest flickr and blogging friends. She is an extremely talented lady, who illustrates, draws, sketches, paints, carves stamps, crafts, cooks, home schools and also paints on pebbles!

Yes, in her beautiful homes in Mexico (designed by her architect husband) one of the ways in which she adds cheer and beauty is by painting natural motifs on collected pebbles, an interest that I share with her:-)
I always bring back pebbles and stones from our various travels.

I was inspired to try my hand in painting those lovely pebbles. I gave it an Indian twist by painting the traditional 'Kolam' or painted prayers...
Tiny Lord Krishna's feet, for Janmashtami...

Some painted prayers give company to my succulents....

Why restrict yourself to just Kolams, let your creativity flow~ Try Alpanas, Blockprint motifs or any symbol that holds a special meaning for you:-)

Do paint your prayers and see them answered in the form of cheerful corners in your home:-)
(images by Arch)

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

handmade creativity...

Today I am featuring two very talented young women Kanika Bahl of Anek Designs and Kalyani Ganapathy of Kye.

Kanika Bahl is a textile designer from NID and has recently started her own Etsy Shop called Anek Designs. She designs handcrafted home furnishings and accessories.
Brocade Fabric Gift Envelopes
Colourful Fabric Gift Envelopes
Kantha work mobile pouches
Potli Keyrings
Do drop by at her blog, ...AND ANOTHER or Anek Designs on Etsy.

Kalyani Ganapathy is an illustrator/artist and also the creator of Kye. A venture where she designs home furnishings and accessories.
Kye has just launched their monsoon collection of handcrafted cushion covers called Monsoon Struck
Embrace, screen printed and hand embroidered cushion cover
Siesta, screen printed and hand embroidered cushion cover
Birdie, screen printed and hand embroidered cushion cover.

You can order online by writing to Kalyani of Kye at writetokye@gmail.com.

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Hues from Dastakar Nature Bazaar 2010

Craft Bazaars and Melas have a special place in my heart, the colourful ambience with India's rich art & crafts displayed by artisans are a treat to the eyes...

Here are some frames from the colourful Dastakar Nature Bazaar.
Loved the vibrant kites, how magical a room would look with loads of them hanging from the ceiling!

Never tire of these colourful baskets made of wild grass.

Dastakar's Ranthambore Project. The Tiger motifs on bedspreads, cushion covers were so charming:-)
Mirror mirror on the wall, can you spot me at all;-)

Beautifully crafted paper-mache' birds from Orissa

Handmade Dolls

Gorgeous terracotta pots, jars and pans from Kumbham Pottery, Kerala
Intricate Kantha work on silk from West Bengal
Want to hang some pink elephants and blue fish?

Some beautifully crafted baskets and home accessories

The Dastakar Nature Bazaar is on till the 15th August, 2010.

(Images by Arch)

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

At the centre...

Every home has a central hub around which the daily activities of the family revolve.

The dining table is where most of our tasks are accomplished but there is another space in our drawing room, the centre table (actually it is an old ancestral swing converted to a low table) where we spend many evenings chatting with family & friends.

It is also a space like a canvas where I keep painting various hues in the form of floating flowers, things from our travels, magazines, books...

Here are some vignettes from the ever changing arrangements on my centre table...
Roses and wooden block from Jaipur, Rajasthan

Frangipanis & Pebbles from Nubra Valley, Ladakh.
Wooden Padukas from Jew Town, Kerala

(images by Arch)

Sunday, August 01, 2010

Attiser

Seaside Savvy Quilt
Here I was sitting with a huge mug of ginger chai, nursing a sore throat and fever when I received an email from Seema of Attiser.
Seema shared a mesmerizing collection of hand-block printed linens & bedding with me and I must admit, the colours were so beautiful, it just completely lifted my spirits and I just had to feature their products on Rang Decor.
Sweet Nothings Quilt

Seema specifies that in their collection of handcrafted bedding and linens they have tried to create a unique look by combining handmade Indian block-print with country style decor and adding new contemporary colors to come up with a new, fresh, airy and bright look that can be defined as a fusion look.

They have a range of home decor products~ Bedspreads, Quilts, Table Covers, Curtains, Cushion Covers, Napkins, Placemats and even Moleskine Books

Sage Midori Table Napkins
Southern Nights Table Napkin
Sweet Nothings Table Cover
Amethyst Amore Table Cover
Seaside Savvy Cushion Cover
Amethyst Amore Cushion Covers

Attiser's mission so beautifully worded~

Kindling Passion in Color, Discovering Beauty in Imperfections
Crafting artisan-quality products, to bring unique beauty to our world.
Transforming ordinary homes with extraordinary handmade creations.
Empowering our community through fair and ethical trade.

Wooden block with intricate design
Quilting process

Do visit Attiser and pick up some handcrafted colourful beauties for your home.

(images from Attiser)