Integrating Bastar craft in home decor - DIY

Bastar art is justifiably famous. Rustic and gorgeous it embodies the simplicity of  everyday village life in India. So when I saw these panels I just grabbed them by the handful with no idea whatsoever of what I was going to do with it. 

Here I present my own versions of Bastar in everyday home decor. 

Strings of matt gold beads are very versatile and here I restrung them on a gold jewellery wire and attached them by just tying them in an ordinary rustic knot to the little Bastar panel.

I purposely used a long string because it looks so ornamental when you wrap it round. Use them as napkin rings 

or curtain ties or just hand it ornamentally on lampshades, the choice is yours.. Since I am binging big time on Tanjore beads I decided to fuse Bastar and Tanjore and see how that came out. Here is a picture. You tell me what you think of it...

I stuck on some Tanjore beads and patches and put the two together using a keyring.

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Tanjore style decor for a knocker

 Hello there! I hope you have all had a great start to the New Year.. I have been smitten by tanjore bead decor for some reason and I thought I would post this idea. This aluminium knocker was lying in my trunk where things like this lie from the time they are bought or gifted; till I figure out what to do with them. In my excitement I forgot to take a picture of the original knocker until after I applied a coat of matt black to it. Sorry about that but here is the picture at the end of the first coat

Tanjore is normally done on  gold or brass but I chose black to showcase a rather minimalistic tanjore bead decoration. So I gave the knocker two coats of black enamel paint in matt and started but gluing on a mango motif ( I got this from someone who sells a lot of tanjore work since I don't know how to do tanjore work)

And then started to stick tanjore beads -  which are rather easily available - in motifs I thought would complement the mango. So here is how that went... I like how it came out eventually.

Well, do write in and let me know how you like it. You could also use this to hang towels or napkins.

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Change how your cushion looks in a snap

I have been fascinated by the velcro dots I came across in - of all places - Health and Glow which is more a cosmetic chain store. But these dots are the handiest craft tool I have used. Here I show you how to use it (or a square of velcro cut from a length ) to change the way your cushion looks in a few minutes.

Here I have prepared a fine painting in silk to be attached to the cushion. Even though the velcro dots are self stick I added a layer of fabric glue so that it holds strong. If you are cutting lengths of velcro from a roll, it is a good idea to stitch it on so that it can be washed easily and frequently.

Here I beautified the painting and added the corresponding velcro dots.

Just velcro the picture on the cushion. This works very well with paintings and other material which cannot be washed like the ones in the picture. Just remove the painting and wash the cushion cover. If you have a collection of similar sized pictures, paintings or other craft material; prep them and velcro them to cushions for an instant, different look.

Here I must add that due to the type of material used in the accent piece (it is not washable) and due to the fact that I have added embellishments this work is best done on an accent cushion in a less trafficked area. Thanks to my readers for pointing out the practicalities of the decor ideas I put out. 

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Reusing everyday objects as lamp holders this Karthigai

Hi all! Tomorrow (this Sunday) all over South India we celebrate a festival of lights called Karthigai Deepam. This is when we light lamps all around our homes like we do during Deepavali. Very very simply put, it is a celebration of the inner strength of the woman.  

Well this time I have decided that in addition to the beautiful lamp I bought for Deepavali I thought I would reuse some things that are used around the house for other purposes, not only because it is green but because it gives me a lot of creative latitude. Take a look see and let me know how you like it... 

Caution: This is a very long and picture heavy post!

Starting with the junk options...

This is an assemblage of the various things that sit in my little garden area... objects which I don't pay as much attention to as I perhaps should... better late than never I guess!

You do remember this guy from my old post right? This is my garden doorstop.

This iron pot looks much better here among the ruins of the shelf as it were...never thought I would use the word gorgeous for this but that is how it looks! So it will remain here forever...

Next comes my decadent vignette all gold and Strala battery lights... this is my entryway special so no one gets hurt coming in.. and there is so much wood close by too

Love it... especially the antique looking seahorse for which I paid a pretty packet in Bangkok - worth every Thai Baht though and then there is the diamante studded flower lamp which I bought a pair of for my friend.. somehow one ended up on my tableau!

Here is a closer look at the gorgeous lamp which I got from Home and Style.

Another set of lamps that use objects that don't normally have tea lights in them. There is the copper pen stand, the mini kadai and the made up urulis...sitting on an incredibly carved (and chipped by all the boys of the family) centrepiece.

Here is another look at the components. Don't miss the odds and ends which I had to add..

Of course I have a quirky option for my kitchen! The muffin pan is just right for the set of six

And now for the grand finale... the grand dame of all Indian lighting options... the kutthivilakku. This one is very ancient and has been passed down the generations. No adornment required... looks gorgeous all by itself. I just had to add the Tanjore touch... . These beautiful motifs are from Lotus and I don't think Abirami who runs the store has a facebook page or website but quite frankly I don't think she has the time... she is always beseiged with custom orders. Nevertheless I will ask the next time I meet her.

That's it then... happy Karthigai Deepam to all those celebrating and a happy weekend to everyone!

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Quirky vignette for Diwali

As the Diwali weekend approaches there is plenty to do so I will leave you with a funny mini vignette. It was my husband who got these decorative balls which I use to scent the room and it was he who suggested the fun idea...

He said I should tie  turban on its head and I looked at many you tube videos on tying turbans.., let it stew a bit in my head but it was not coming together for me. Till I took out some cuffs with the idea of putting tealights into them which is exactly what I did with one. But one look at the other and I knew I had my turban...

The screw type lid at the bottom and the "turban" on its head... made laugh. Take out your cuffs and put your tea lights and diyas in them for a fun and glam look.

Another take on the "Raja of quirk" as I call him

Wish I could show you the whole vignette... these days it is so dark and dull outside and I really don't like the way photos look with the flash on. Maybe I need a change of cam! But I like this vignette... doesn't it make a pleasing picture...

One more look and 

I will see you on the other side of Diwali... keep smiling!

P.S. Pics by my daughter ...

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Diwali DIY : Wire art embellished boxes

Diwali is when we pray for peace and prosperity and deck our homes in gold to invite luck and prosperity in. I present to you a recycled wire art DIY this season.   I received some DVDs some years agoin a box  (I know I seem to be collecting these things in the hope of renewing them one day!) and I wanted to deck it out in traditional gold as well. As luck would have it, my favourite shop Lotus had these lovely gift wrapping papers. Armed with these and some fancy beads I set to work. I  got so immersed in the work I clean forgot to take the before pictures. But here are the raw materials and the after picture...

I know what you are thinking... that knot of wire will come to nothing! I couldn't agree more! I have made such a mess of keeping it well, but it is amazingly easy to straighten it and anyway I use small lengths of it so no worries.

I stuck the two wrapping papers - one with gold print and the other patterned tissue - one over the other on the box and then got cutting and sticking.  I have done a real easy print which makes this a snap to do! I cut the wire, flexed it to shape and stuck it at sort of equal intervals and voila! it has an embroidered effect with none of the sweat and toil associated with embroidering. 

Here is my Diwali tableau for all of you...

Another look?

A very happy, peaceful and prosperous Diwali to all of you!

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Adding grunge to Indian vintage decor

Junk is the new glam in decor what with the gorgeous junk decor ideas all over the blog world. Here is my take on junk decor. Like I mentioned before rust does not necessarily look great in tropical India. But there are other ways to incorporate a bit of grunge into Indian vintage brass and bronze.

That board there was once part of a play set my son used. I attached normal door handles available at the local hardware and marked it with a border mimicking a running stitch. I am sure you recognize the embroidered panel from my previous post on decorating brass.  I just need another look at this!

That large brass vessel is an older version of the one used in making kuzhipaniyaram...

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Folk designs on ceramic

I must confess that I love all kinds and manner of folk art. When I got a Warli card at a local exhibition I thought that I had to showcase it better somehow. I copied the design onto transfer paper and transferred it onto a silk cloth which I then stuck to a ceramic plate which once held Diwali sweets.

Oh I had to trim it with that stone string which I am obsessed with now. I just love the tribal candle holder. Right now I must also confess to having put up this prop for this blog post. I am still looking for the right place for it at home. Here is a closer look

Admittedly this is not the most innovative use of warli but it is pretty isn't it? I learnt something from this design transfer though. The best way to stick this is probably to use double sided sticking sheets ... nest time! 

 Do you know a better way of transferring designs on to ceramic? If yes do let me know

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Using embroidered patches and tanjore stones on brassware

This post is dedicated to my friend Janaki who gives me gifts to repurpose. The beautiful embroidery patch in this picture is one such. It was a big one which I have cut up and repurposed. The leaf brass wall hanging is again a gift which I dug out of my steel trunk. Take a look...

The zari work goes so well with tanjore stones and brass. Here is a look at the original wall hanging 

What do you think? I would love to hear your comments...

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The most awesome golu ever!

Every year Navaratri means a new themed golu at Janaki and Sabesh's residence. Preparation begins well ahead with the theme being chosen, dolls chosen or bought or both; and the props and return gifts made... this is not a mean feat; just take a look at the awesome backdrop created for this year's theme - Karnataka. It recreates in minute detail, the ambience of the Mysore palace.

The entire backdrop was made by Sabesh and lit from behind. The steps were custom made for their golus some years ago. The dolls have been selected for the theme. Take a look at the individual tableaus.

This one is the royal procession.

Goddesses Durga, Saraswati and Lakshmi... and a closer look at the intricate detailing of the backdrop.

A wedding amidst the royal settings

other vignettes of daily life

This is a mini golu in case you did not guess...

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Create festive houseware with tanjore stones

Bling up your lamps and turn little matkas into decor pieces this season. All you need is glue and some pieces of jewellery... there is such a choice now in little shops that sell festive bling across town. I picked up two pretty bracelets which were going cheap and destrung them. I have already used part of the pieces on transparent pebbles, then I did this!

You have already seen the stone studded string. I just dug into my craft box and got out some tanjore stones to match. Here is another look

I found this matka when I started spring cleaning for the season (I seem to start every season and never finish!) and blinged it up as well. 

Such a stark contrast... warrants one more pic!

Here it is with afore mentioned heavily decorated pebbles.. I have shown you my bling... your turn now!

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Decorating with design transfers

Last Sunday when I was cleaning my cupboard I came across this which was basically packaging... yes incredibly beautiful black taffeta bag. I had some transfer paper handy so I pulled out my craft bag and did this.

Here is the how... I transferred the tree of life design on silk which stitched on to the bag, stuck the fancy stone edging around and finished the rim with thick gold coloured rope. As a sling I used the gold chain link which I stitched to both sides and thereby hangs the tale of the bag...

Transfers come out very well on silk or very fine cotton. Here is another one on a silk cushion

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Indian Festive decor

Marigolds, roses and brass ... these are an integral part of most Indian festive decorations. Here is my take on that with the start of the Indian festival season...

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