Bells on my furniture

Bells have a special place in the Indian culture and each state has its own version. I bought a string of cow bells long ago and then happened upon this beautiful piece of kutch embroidery on a visit to Ahmedabad. I adorned my South Indian oonjal (swing) bench with a piece in which I fused both...

Here to prevent the delicate embroidery from tearing, I stuck bakram behind the length of the embroidered panel. Then using an eyelet kit, I made holes, punched in the eyelets and threaded rings in them. Little tag nails at the bottom of the oonjal help hang this panel. The bells are also hung on rings, which are run through eyelets made using an eyelet kit.

This is another view of the panel, wrapped around a chair. You can make out the ring on which the bell is hanging. All eyelet holes are in the bakram, to prevent fraying of the embroidered fabric. These kinds of embroidered panels are available in all exhibitions. Use bells on them and attach to different pieces of furniture for a unique look...

Bells strung on a pretty thread look so pretty next to an antique kashmiri embroidered curtain....Go on then, bell your furniture!

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Junk to wall hanging in minutes...

The kitchen towel roll is one of the most versatile things I've come across. With a little modification it becomes a tunnel, a rainmaker,  a vase... the possibilities are endless. Today I'll show you how to make the cutest object of joy in minutes! Here's what you'll need. As always, substitute all accessories with whatever you have. That's the challenge and the fun of it!

Here, I have cut the roll in half. You can use it whole if you like. First cut the paper (or cloth) to cover the roll and stick on. Then ,look into your craft box and gather things you think you can use. Draw or stick things as you like and trim with lace/raffia/sequins. This is what I did....

I did some warli art and tried on some sequins and beads. I liked the effect and so I hung it up with some jute thread...  I                 

                                    

Here's another view...funky, cute decor and so easy to make. You can hang rustic bells, little baskets, earrings or even semi precious beads. Let your imagination run away with you!

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Thorans - How to make an Indian bunting

I could never resist the lure of beads and baubles available at craft shops. This time I ended up with a lot of red and gold. So I threaded up a few thorans. Here's a look at a festive one...

Simple, yet festive! Same tanjore stone piece that was used in the napkin ring, different use...

Making thorans is really simple and what's more, you can suit it to your decor, mood or theme. Use lace or wire with a dull gold finish. They have a class about them that simply cannot be matched by the brighter variety.

Before you start, it's a good idea to put together a few "looks"  and then choose the best one or ones.
Below are  pics of some looks I have created. Just lay the lace or rope and arrange the beads and baubles on it. Then choose the one/ones you like and create it. While attaching beads or other accessories, you can use rings which are available in the market, but most of these are silver in colour, so for the gold based pieces, use gold wire, twist to hold in place and hot glue to the lace/rope/accessory. Attach the rings at the end to hook thorans to nails. (See first pic in this blog post).

   

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DIY : Easy ethnic napkin rings

Indian craft shops stock an abundance of bead and sequin based accents for use in traditional Indian clothes. Use these and craft wite to adorn your  napkins......      

Here, I have stuck a sequin and tanjore style bead
accent  to craft wire - which I wound around a kitchen towel holder (to keep its shape)          

                                     

Here's another view                            






 



If you would prefer to make a simpler accent, you can do it yourself. Simply stick the tanjore or other beads i  the desired shape on tissue cloth or ribbon, and stick the ribbon on bakram, like so.
                            

Then cut the desired shape. Stick to wire or stiff ribbon and the napkin ring is ready!

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A splash of red

Red is a vibrant, rich and warm colour. I leave you with this beautiful red napkin, edged with a simple white hem. And that raffia covered napkin tie... it's to die for.  So simple and inspired!

Image  : Furniture and Furnishing by Melanie Paine
Have a great weekend!!

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Beautiful Bastar art

These metal marvels can give any home a facelift. Here, the rescue switch panels from boredom.

Here is a bastar panel which is fixed on a TV receiver inlet.Looks so pretty and rustic..













 

Here are two ladies chatting and indulging in a bit of shringar atop an outdoor fan regulator.










 This tribal chieftan complete with peacock feathers rules his fiefdom from atop an old fan regulator..

 

Truly, rustic Indian art is unparalleled in its striking simplicity. What say!

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DIY : Easy evening bags

I call these bangle bags, though I sometimes use bracelets as well. They are easy to make and can be customised to your evening wear...

Here, I have made a pouch using kadi print fabric. I then attached a couple of bracelets which had suitable colours as handles.Take a look...

You will have to sew loops to attach the bracelets in place. There is an easy way to do this - nylon ribbons. The advantages of using nylon ribbons are that the edges are already stitched and the rib bons are strong. Just fold the ends and run a few stitches to hold the handle in place. You have the option of using ribbons of contrasting colours, like in the picture below.                                                                           

                                                                                
   

Nylon ribbons have other uses such as tabs for tab top curtains. Here, I have sewed the edges of a sari pallu, cut equal lengths of nylon ribbon and attached them as tabs and trimmed the top with the same ribbon.

 Here is another pouch to which I have attached an antique looking bangle.

I'd love to know what you think of these. Do drop a comment....

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A lingering calm...

Here's a tableau to start your week off on a serene and positive note.

This is actually a gurgling fountain... makes the most beautiful tinkling noise. Close your eyes and smell the fragrant frangipani, the vanilla scented tea light and listen to the fountain... all of a sudden, the week ahead is filled with new exciting possibilities!

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