Inspiring Eminent Artist: Monika Gupta

Featured artist of this month is Monika Gupta of 'Earthen Style'. Her hand painted terracotta products are perfect fit for every kind of decor style.  Lets meet Monika:

Educated as a software engineer, MCA from Nirma Institute of Management & Technology, employed as a Manager in MNCs in last 10 years. I left my cushy job and started giving texture, color and shape to inanimate mud.

I have hand painted lots of terracotta products for home decor which includes vases, pots, masks, hangings and planters.

Monika describes her products as loud, glossy vibrant and attractive and I am totally agree with that. Color she chooses and patterns on every pot are always so unique and attractive.

Each product is one of its kind. Look at this hanging planter...isn't it amazing.

‘Earthenstyle’ produces delicately crafted earthen pots in different shapes, where the exteriors are textured and finished in vibrant colors  so that a unique desirable product for home decor is ready to be marketed.

When I am on a break and not designing, I meet people on internet or face to face, to get their opinions on the work I do. This helps me to understand, likes and dislikes of users of my products.

Our products can be bought from our facebook page and some e-commerce platforms like craftsvilla.com and mirraw.com.

You will also find us in few Exhibitions & Flea Fairs in Bangalore.

Didn't you drool over all her beautiful pots and masks. Tell me which one is your favorite.  For me every piece is just unique and she put all her efforts and creativity in making different patterns and choosing perfect color combination. Don't forget to visit her Facebook page 'Earthenstyle' to know more about her artwork.

In case you missed earlier posts on Inspiring Eminent Artist then click here.

All images are provided by Monika Gupta and subject to copyright

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Fan Of The Week: Shashwatee Raut

First let me share some exciting news for all my lovely readers. I know you all love decorating your homes, so here is a contest and a chance to win gift voucher worth Rs.3000/- for more information click here.
This really cheers me up and keep me going when I receive some sweet notes from fans and readers of my blog. One such reader 'Shashwatee Raut' sent me her very very creative work to share here. Have a look of her DIY projects and beautiful balcony garden. Over to Shashwatee-

Many items in my garden are clay items which I have painted...Tulsi pot, small dog, swan, stool on which I have kept the fountain and the lotus pot.

Small cranes are made of U shaped hair pins and left over M-Seal. The mushrooms are made of plaster of Paris and body of a Reynolds pen (white body)...I have used egg shells as mould to give the mushroom shape. The small insect is made of a plastic ball. The bells are made of Chai ke kulhad!!!

This is Shashwatee's small but lively and beautiful balcony garden.

These five hanging pots are just rabdi handis which I have painted :) 
They look so vibrant and enhance the beauty of her small balcony garden.

   

Small pot in below image is made of paper clay...and I have placed an artificial plant in it as I can't water it......and the lotus like pink flower is made of pistachio shells. 
That lotus looks so real . Pot and butterflies are adding character to the space.

The nest in below image is made of coconut coir...I tried to make it as real as possible but......it became like this. 
Now who will going to believe this that nest isn't real.

I have made the pen stand with a rejected glass on which there was a crack...by simply pouring candle drops on it..then painted with fabric colour.
That's creativity at it's best.

 And the tablas are made of coconut shell..

Two creations are inspired from yours..
This is beautiful and she has done great job. You can find these two tutorials here and here.

Thanks a lot Shashwatee for sharing your passion for art and craft here on Design Decor & Disha.
What say friends. Isn't everything just fabulous. Everything that she made tells a story of her creative imaginations. What do you think.....just let her know through your comments :)

If you also have something to share please feel free to write me at designdecoranddisha@gmail.com!!
Stay tuned to meet Inspiring Eminent Artist of this month :)

All images are provided by Shashwatee Raur and are subject to copyright.

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How To Incorporate Terracotta Decorative Items In Home Decor

Terracotta is a hard semi fired waterproof ceramic clay used for making vases, pots, figurine, lanterns and lots of decor items. 

It really doesn't matter how you use them around your house they will definitely enhance the beauty of your space. Though here are some inspiring images that can give you some hints and clues about how to incorporate it well in your home decor.

Lantern and diffuser can look wonderful if placed right in home or garden. Diffuser placed near buddha statue or in a tray with some greenery looks pleasant.

Image Source: Click Here

Image: Mine

Lantern whether colorful or plain terracotta can be hung against bright colored wall and result will be mesmerizing.

Image Source: Click Here

Terracotta pots are not only meant for growing plants. Want to see what else can you do with them. 

Fill small terracotta pots with wax and use them as candles placed in group.  You will love the warmth they will create.  

Image Source: Click Here

You can place a terracotta tree in your garden to support climbing plants. Yes it can works as trellis and it certainly will enhance the beauty of your garden.

Image Source: Click Here

Aged terracotta pots placed anywhere in the garden looks elegant.

Image Source: Click Here

Vases of different height can be placed in corner in a group.

Image Source: Click Here

They can be of different shape too..........

Image Source: Click Here

Grow plants in different shape of pots and then club them.

Image Source: Click Here

Hanging a terracotta wind chime outdoor is the best way to make your outdoors gorgeous. 

Image Source: Click Here

And last but not the least a plate full of terracotta is what I want now.......... :))))

Image Source: Click Here

Do you have something to show off send in your entries at designdecoranddisha@gmail.com and I'll definitely going to feature it on my blog.

Have a happy weekend friends!! 

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Terracotta Love

Terracotta pots and figurines look so lovely. And one such lovely piece I was gifted when I visited Chokhi Dhani (Rajasthani village themed restaurant and fun fair). Though I loved it in its plain form also but then too I wanted to fill colors.

This is how it looked when I received it..........

 I colored it in pure Rajasthani style using colors like yellow, red and orange. And it turned out so well. 

Tadaaa..........

 I found it little difficult to paint bandhni print on turban...but finally I did it.

 Some fine details.........

And painting this pot was so fun. this tiny pot is looking so cute.......isn't it.

Now it looks so Indian....so ethnic and I totally love it.

Wish you all a very happy and wonderful weekend ahead!!

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When Creative Juices Flow: Buddha's Got New Look

Few months back I got two Buddhas from a art and craft exhibition. One is made of brass, no scope for trying hand on it though :-(  and the other one is of terracotta (a lot can be done). Idea of painting this terracotta piece was in my mind since the day I bought it.
Here is a before pic......

And here's after one...

Now this Buddha probably will going to sit in my terrace garden and sure will increase the amount of tranquility there. 

Have a great weekend ahead!!

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When Creative Juices Flow: DIY clay pot

Its been long that I have posted about DIY project. So here's one for you. I saw this pot and liked its shape. Since then every new idea had been replacing the older one and I was just wondering what I'm gonna do with this pot. Then came this wonerful idea of transforming this pot by clay work. Clay, stones, glue and lot patience and output is one HAPPY ORANGE POT :-)))
                                                              

And this pot now can serve in different ways.....how??? come have a look........

On side table in living room..........



In Kitchen as spoon holder (going well with orange backsplash)..........

As a planter for your lucky plant (lovely combination of orange and green isn't it)........

Near besin with lot of flowers to bring big smile on your face every morning.......

So let me know friends which one is the best way to use it....or do you have some more ideas.... come on and share with me.

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