The humble thread holds a special meaning in Chhaya Bhoite’s life. And you have to see to believe the magic she weaves with it. Intricately designed Ganeshas, decorative wall hangings, eye-catching pot holders, baskets, and hanging mirrors, among other works of art, adorn her home in Nigdi, all bearing testimony to the homemaker’s inherent creativity.

As she tells us, “I learnt the technique of making objects out of these thick, decorative cords for around 15 days. I had signed up for a class after I came across one such decorative item that I found very interesting. However, later, I just started trying out different things on my own. The ideas flowed and I am happy to say that it has been around four years that I started making these decorative pieces for clients.”

Bhoite takes orders and is usually at her busiest during the wedding season. “People find the Ganeshas, hanging mirrors and baskets as good gifting options on such occasions or even for festivals, so there’s a lot of demand for them. The other items, like purses and tiny swings on which you can keep soft toys or anything that you fancy are also quite popular,” she shares.

The talented artist is open to changing the colours, patterns and designs as per the client’s specifications and liking. “Ultimately, they have to be happy with what I make for them. That gives me the greatest joy,” she notes.
When asked if she was always interested in the arts, she chuckles and says, “No, I am no good at drawing. But I really love making these decorative items. I used to do embroidery before, but my eyes started giving me problems, so I switched to this. It’s much easier for me to work with the cord.”

Sharing expertise

Bhoite is also actively involved in taking this art further and conducts workshops at home. “Right now, I have four girls and eight women learning this art from me. It’s usually women who are more inclined to such art. I also do not mind going and demonstrating these items at their homes, if there is a group of women who are eager to learn,” she explains.

As for how she comes up with the designs, Bhoite says it is all her own imagination. “I don’t seek inspiration from other pieces of art. I try to rely on my own creativity and knowledge. Anyway, it’s an ongoing process. Once I take an order, I keep thinking about how I can make it prettier and more attractive each time. As and how you work on it, you automatically discover newer and more refined ways of making a particular object,” says the homemaker, who also has a word of advice for all the women out there: “Nurture your passion because not only will it give you a sense of purpose, but it can very well help your family in times of need. Starting out small businesses like these is a lucrative idea for homemakers,” points out Bhoite.

She also makes different kinds of masalas and papads. “The demand for the foodstuffs is usually high in summer because that’s when people stock them. However, my art keeps me on my feet all 12 months of the year!” she exclaims. And obviously, she’s not complaining.