Annie Sloan Paint Workshop by Sununu Muscat

Learning a new skill always gives me an enormous amount of satisfaction. I have always loved doing my little DIY projects to keep my creative side alive but it’s been a while since I have actually sat and up cycled and revamped anything. Sununu Muscat was kind enough to offer me an introductory course in Painting your furniture or any surface using Chalk Paint by Annie Sloan. These Chalk Paints are non-toxic and works beautifully on any surface without priming and sanding – And most importantly easy to use and quick to dry. In the Introductory Workshop I was shown how to achieve a two-color aged look, a one color- aged look, a crackle look using heat, a flat smooth finish and a washed finish.  And to create different effects and textures, I was taught different techniques on how to use the soft wax that is clear, dark, black, and white. I let my creative imagination take its course and lead me to learning this new skill. It was absolutely a fun workshop to remember. It’s important to complete this course before you sign up for other courses offered at Sununu. Some of the other workshops they offer are Complete Chair Makeover and upholstery basics, Basic Carpentry workshops, Pottery painting workshop, Fabric printing and lampshade making, and lots more. If you wish to join and know more about their workshops in Muscat, please write to workshops@sununumuscat.com

Meanwhile let me give you a small tour of their store that is so cozy … apologies for the quality of my pictures as they were taken on my phone J

My work!

Our group who participated

You can follow them on their social media pages – Click here on Instagram and here for updates on Facebook. For those living in Muscat do try out their workshops to reignite your creativity!

The Indian Weave

A shared love for travel, a need to explore and eye for art led Jean and Puneet create a label called The Indian Weave which is popular among all décor lover and collectors. Their passion for great craftsmanship has led them to handpick products straight from the craftspeople to bring dignity of ethnic and vintage craft to the world through their online store. As I browsed their online store I could sense Jean and Puneet’s commitment to discover timeless classic pieces. Each piece that are collected reflects the legacy of the craftspeople and the charm of their work.

This is what Jean and Puneet had to share about their journey with Indian Weave in their own words

“With a passion for textures and great craftsmanship, our vision is to bring lesser known Indian crafts to the forefront by curating a collection of well crafted, beautifully designed lifestyle and home accessories that stand out and capture the heart, color and life of our country.

Each piece is personally chosen by us personally. We travel across India from time to time visiting artisans and finding authentic sources for our products that you see in our store. 

All products are handmade; hand crafted and is sourced most often from the artisans themselves who are making them as per age old traditions / practices.

In this New Year, we shall be featuring a festive collection which shall include art and décor items, handicrafts, a selection of batik and handblock printed stoles and scarves plus bed linen not forgetting exquisite brass vintage collectibles.

No matter which state we visit, we find local handicraft which is unique to the state / tradition. We try and identify what will be appreciated by our customers especially Indians living abroad which will make them feel closer home - India. And not forgetting foreigners who love everything Indian. We understand the process and the history behind each item, meet with them one to one and since it is not possible to travel back each time, we correspond via WhatsApp which is the most preferred form of communication with them to get updates on new products / ordering / etc.

We ship through India International speed post which is most reliable and economical and delivers practically all over the world India post normally take 12 to 14 days for delivery to anyplace across the globe. One can track the shipment through India post site.”

So let’s browse through some of my handpicked products from their gorgeous store and get ready to just sigh away…

 

Kum Kum Box 9 compartment

 

Brass Peacock for Arti

 

12" Red Kavaad Wooden Story Book... isn't this interesting?

 

Brass Incense Holder

Tribal Men Door Handles

Jaipur Quilt with Elephants and Floral print

Kutch purple Stole with mirror work and Block printed cotton silk red scarf

Framed wooden printing blocks

Telegana Blue Yellow handmade rug

Indigo bedcover and pair of black & white cushions

Vintage Iron with emedded stones

There is good news for my readers …The Indian Weave has offered 10% discount for all your purchase from their store!!! All you need to do is enter the code TBI10 at the time of checkout. And this is limited to one time use, so readers please make the most of it.... Excited??? … yes so am I !!! This offer is valid from today – 15^th February to 28^th February. So hurry up and grab your favorite before they run out of stock!! Have fun shopping!!!

Click here to stay tuned to their updates on Instagram and here on Facebook. And click here to browse and shop through their website.

Thank you Puneet and Jean for this wonderful offer to my readers!!! Wishing you both a fabulous journey with The Indian Weave.





Images via The Indian Weave





 

Quirkiness at Pyjama Party

Another end of an eventful year… we are nearing Christmas and I can hear myself muttering “things to do”… and while shopping online for my loved ones, I came across this cute range of Owlie hand-painted mason jars and snippety sip sippers… created by Rithika of Pyjama party… I am in love with all her product range because it’s full of color and quirkiness. Rithika was featured here on Tickled by Inspirations exactly 2 years back because I was in love with this fun and adventurous brand. If you missed reading that post please click here.

Aren’t they cute to gift someone for Christmas? Or even gift yourself!!

If you wish to get buy these please contact Rithika at   pyjamapartydesigns@gmail.com 

And click here to follow her on Facebook for updates on her products.

Enjoy your holiday shopping!!          

 

 

All images are copyright Pyjama Party

 

 

 

 

Choti Moti

Today we speak to a sister duo that launched their venture on a whim and for their sheer love for lifestyle products, design and décor. The Choti Moti sisters, Shalini and Saveen, based in Munich, recently launched their unique online store that caters to lifestyle products. Their products are funky, quirky, boho, chic and ethnic. And they provide a platform for different labels with a curate collection that ranges from accessories and home décor products. I personally love the distinct mood they have created with their collection. It is more like a celebration of good things in life.

Let’s hear more from the beautiful duo

How did it all start?

Choti Moti is an online store showcasing modern Indian lifestyle designs. We currently stock handmade jewellery, textiles, stationery, bags and footwear. We have consciously chosen partners, whose design process is creative as well as sustainable and helps keeps the traditional art of handmade alive.

We have always been passionate about design and decor and working together on something we both felt inspired by was a long cherished dream despite our comfortable corporate jobs in Dubai and Muscat, where we both were based for the last decade. An opportunity to move back with our families to Munich last summer was the first step in realizing our dream and a year later, here we are. 

 

What inspired you both to this venture?

The inspiration to start Choti Moti came from annual visits home to India, where we realized the indian design scene was buzzing with creative talent and amazing lifestyle products from both budding and established designers. Apart from a few renowned names that are known in the international market, there are a plethora of Indian brands that remain undiscovered beyond the local or national retail scene. We also realized that with Choti Moti, we could cater to a niche in the German market, where people, while familiar with India, its cuisine and the ever popular yoga, are largely unaware of how much India has to offer in terms of design and sustainability; something that they care deeply about. 

 

Why the name Choti Moti?

We wanted a name that had an Indian origin but at the same time would be easy for a non-indian audience to pronounce and remember. We also wanted the name to represent the range of lifestyle products we were looking to showcase; from elegant to vibrant, retro and quirky, which is why we chose "Choti Moti", a Hindi term denoting knick knacks. The words are easy to say, playful and as proven time and again, a definite conversation starter with our German customers, who are invariably curious about its meaning. Just ask the UPS guy, who delivered our first shipment of products! 

 

What is the product range that you deal with?

We have an interesting mix of handmade eclectic as well as delicate silver jewelry; some of which are set with precious and semi precious stones, block printed and hand stitched cotton duvets, table and cushion covers, recycled and upcycled stationery and a vibrant range of custom print bags, wallets and footwear. 

 

What are your dreams for Choti Moti?

We once read it's a beautiful thing when a career and a passion come together and with Choti Moti we are truly living our dream. We hope to grow our brand organically and include more product categories, such as crockery, furniture and apparel. The ultimate dream is to have our own boutique store with a small cafe within, where we can offer our customers a complete Indian lifestyle experience through a seamless blend of tradition and modern Indian design. 

 

There are so many things that has caught my eye and here are a few of my favorite things

Bags and coasters

Silver Dragon fly Pendants

Love this wallet!

Beautiful Silver Necklace

 

Block printed "Royal Sultana" quilt

Funky Sandals

Beautiful Cushions

 

Wishing the Choti Moti sisters a great success in their journey!! More power to this duo!

Please click here to browse through their products, here to access their Facebook and here to follow them on Instagram.

Images via Choti Moti







 

Design5 Studio

Decoupage is an upcycled art that involves a lot of cutting and pasting of different images, photographs, postcards or pictures on any object that will transform it into a collective art item and gives a vintage feeling to it. I am quite fascinated by this art but till today I've never really ventured into it but I hope to do so one day. I came across the work of Molly from Design5 Studio, a decoupage artist, on Instagram and I immediately fell in love with her work and I knew that very moment that I have to introduce you to her beautiful work. All her designs are just gorgeous and I personally love her jewelry boxes and her trays!

 Have a look at her beautiful decoupage work and let’s hear from Molly herself and am sure her creative journey will inspire many of you creative minds out there…

 

 

How did it all begin?  Who is the founder?

I am Molly, a decoupage artist. I have a university diploma in Fine Art & Design that sparked a lifelong practice.  I’ve created projects across various communication disciplines of design. Graphic, space, 3D, brand identity et al. After a long stint in design I decided to chase my own dreams rather than somebody else’s. Out of this dream was born –Design5 Studio.

Design5 Studio started out of my love for creating 'functional' design. I believe that design is functional...design is human. Not virtual. Because it is meant for people, for a purpose. If it does not communicate, holds no interaction, then it is not design.

At Design5 Studio, I create 'eco-whimsical’ and fun, decoupaged wooden home decor and fashion accessories out of various sources of wood. My designed products reflect my belief that a good design touches you. Tickles you and even leaves you amazed. I immerse myself in the details. I have a knack for what I do. I live for what I do… and I love what I do.

 

What was your inspiration to start this studio?
I have always believed that design is the medium that connects the body with the soul. It touches all your senses. And that’s how it reaches your inner being. Design5 Studio was born with this endeavor. To create design that touches people. The interface of design rarely mattered. So what was graphic in its early days became substance later on. 

Over the past years, I have tried to create work that not just meets a brief. But takes a larger responsibility. Decoupage was another expression of the same dream. It was a way to make the ordinary, extraordinary. An old European art, long forgotten became my magic wand to infuse life into not just lifeless objects but also give new meaning to my dream. It gave wings to my passion of design and more importantly expression to my creation. 

Similarly, Upcycling (of wood, structure or material) was undertaken with the promise of finding design a home that rests on a past that was forgotten or just utilized. Be it furniture, boxes, bottles or just plain old cloth. My vision just needed a surface. 

Over and above all this I keep thinking what really keeps inspiring me, pulling me together, pushing me to find new horizons, challenges and expression. What happens now is possibly answered in what triggered all this firstly…It’s my daughter. She gave me the catalyst to find energy in a creative career that almost had reached a stop. The inaction became the trigger. The inertia provided the momentum, to propel not just my life, but my design journey. Design5 Studio is my vision.

 

What's unique about your products? And what's the most fast moving one? Tell us a bit about your product range.
I design, handcraft and decoupage wooden products. Right from Soft Birch Wood Hand Clutches, Keepsake Jewellery Boxes, Trays, Clocks to exclusive Wooden Jewellery. 

Reviving vintage furniture using Decoupage is a deep passion. Bringing old, worn out furniture pieces back to life brings an enormous amount of creative satisfaction. And everything has an option of personalisation too. These products make for great signature accessories for yourself and your home.

My most selling products are my keepsake/jewellery boxes and recently my wooden earrings have become my star attraction!

What is your vision for Design5 Studio?

Something we all believe in and truly is what we work towards. Personally, as well as professionally. We strive for objects, accomplices, and accessories. This applies for our homes too.

At Design5studio, our endeavor is to make you and your homes, beautiful. More beautiful.

                                                                                                                                                     

Thanks Molly for sharing your journey with me and my readers. And we hope to see more and more of your beautiful work and keep inspiring us all.

 

Click here to hop on to her website and you can follow her on instagram at  https://www.instagram.com/design5studio/ 

 

All Images are via Design5Studio