Your Hobby,
India’s Pride.

Avani Goiporia

@avanig

An artist you haven’t met yet. A technique you’ve been curious about. Someone working with a completely different medium. An opportunity you didn’t know existed. Sometimes, all it takes is the right connection to open up a new possibility. We have created the HobbyMela Community as a place for artists and makers to connect beyond their individual studios and circles. Think of it as a shared space to exchange ideas, discuss the realities of being an artist or maker, learn from each other’s experiences, discover new approaches and explore what we might create together. From sharing works in progress and seeking feedback to discussing challenges, exploring collaborations or simply exchanging ideas, every contribution has a place here. Let’s start with a question: What are some of the things you’d like to discuss, learn or explore with fellow artists and makers? We would love for this community to grow around the conversations that matter to you. Welcome to the conversation. — Team HobbyMela

20 Oct 2026, 6:35 pm

Jamna Ben

Finished this morning. The tail alone took two days of aari. My eyes are tired but my heart is full. Swipe to see the mirrors catch the light.

16 Aug 2026, 8:15 pm

Hari Ram Chhipa

A question I get a lot: fresh indigo will "crock" (rub) until it fully oxidises and is washed. Rinse in cold water with a spoon of salt before first use and it sets beautifully. Never hot water on the first wash!

17 Aug 2026, 6:15 am

Meera Rao

New throwers: stop fighting the clay with your arms. Lock your elbows into your thighs, brace, and let the wheel do the work. I wasted a year before someone told me this.

16 Aug 2026, 10:15 am

Lakshmi Bai

People are always surprised the design is dyed into the yarn before a single throw of the shuttle. Here is a warp on the frame, tied and dyed, before it becomes a dupatta. Weaving starts tomorrow.

14 Aug 2026, 1:15 pm

Avani Goiporia

@avanig

An artist you haven’t met yet. A technique you’ve been curious about. Someone working with a completely different medium. An opportunity you didn’t know existed. Sometimes, all it takes is the right connection to open up a new possibility. We have created the HobbyMela Community as a place for artists and makers to connect beyond their individual studios and circles. Think of it as a shared space to exchange ideas, discuss the realities of being an artist or maker, learn from each other’s experiences, discover new approaches and explore what we might create together. From sharing works in progress and seeking feedback to discussing challenges, exploring collaborations or simply exchanging ideas, every contribution has a place here. Let’s start with a question: What are some of the things you’d like to discuss, learn or explore with fellow artists and makers? We would love for this community to grow around the conversations that matter to you. Welcome to the conversation. — Team HobbyMela

20 Oct 2026, 6:35 pm

Jamna Ben

Finished this morning. The tail alone took two days of aari. My eyes are tired but my heart is full. Swipe to see the mirrors catch the light.

16 Aug 2026, 8:15 pm

Hari Ram Chhipa

A question I get a lot: fresh indigo will "crock" (rub) until it fully oxidises and is washed. Rinse in cold water with a spoon of salt before first use and it sets beautifully. Never hot water on the first wash!

17 Aug 2026, 6:15 am

Meera Rao

New throwers: stop fighting the clay with your arms. Lock your elbows into your thighs, brace, and let the wheel do the work. I wasted a year before someone told me this.

16 Aug 2026, 10:15 am

Lakshmi Bai

People are always surprised the design is dyed into the yarn before a single throw of the shuttle. Here is a warp on the frame, tied and dyed, before it becomes a dupatta. Weaving starts tomorrow.

14 Aug 2026, 1:15 pm

Rukmini Devi

This week’s firing came out cleaner than I dared hope — the turquoise held right to the rim. Thirty plates, not one crack. Sharing the joy with all of you.

17 Aug 2026, 11:15 am

Shyam Lal Prajapat

Opened the kiln at first light. Forty-two went in, forty came out whole — the two that cracked were both from the batch I rushed the drying on, which is what always happens and what I always do anyway. The red is deeper this time; the cow-dung burned hotter than I expected.

28 Sept 2026, 2:14 pm

Shakeel Ansari

For anyone buying a Banarasi this wedding season — turn it over. On a true handloom the back is a little rough where each motif is cut and tied (the "kadhua"). Powerloom has long floating threads behind. Happy to answer more.

17 Aug 2026, 1:15 am

Bhupen Das

If you bring cane/bamboo into a very dry, air-conditioned room, wipe it with a damp cloth once a fortnight. It stops the strips drying out and splitting. Ours are boiled and cured, but AC is thirsty!

14 Aug 2026, 6:15 pm

Rukmini Devi

This week’s firing came out cleaner than I dared hope — the turquoise held right to the rim. Thirty plates, not one crack. Sharing the joy with all of you.

17 Aug 2026, 11:15 am

Shyam Lal Prajapat

Opened the kiln at first light. Forty-two went in, forty came out whole — the two that cracked were both from the batch I rushed the drying on, which is what always happens and what I always do anyway. The red is deeper this time; the cow-dung burned hotter than I expected.

28 Sept 2026, 2:14 pm

Shakeel Ansari

For anyone buying a Banarasi this wedding season — turn it over. On a true handloom the back is a little rough where each motif is cut and tied (the "kadhua"). Powerloom has long floating threads behind. Happy to answer more.

17 Aug 2026, 1:15 am

Bhupen Das

If you bring cane/bamboo into a very dry, air-conditioned room, wipe it with a damp cloth once a fortnight. It stops the strips drying out and splitting. Ours are boiled and cured, but AC is thirsty!

14 Aug 2026, 6:15 pm