‘Big brands have exhibition budgets and traditional artisans NGOs; what about independent creators?’ Meet the duo that bridges this gap

Mulye, a watercolour artist, and Joglekar, a woodworker—both handmade creators themselves—saw fellow makers struggle to find affordable, authentic spaces to showcase their craft.

“Big exhibitions are too expensive, often dominated by traders rather than creators, and the genuine artistry behind each handmade piece went unnoticed,” says Joglekar. Curating an ensemble of handmade products while keeping costs accessible, the organisers have a model of modest stall rent and workshop fees.

“The big brands have budgets, and the traditional artisans have NGOs,” adds Joglekar. “But independent creators—the women working from home, the small studio artists—have no one. We wanted to fill that gap.”

Discovering and nurturing creators

Discovering and nurturing creators, they say, also means finding a like-minded audience. “We meet each maker personally, see their products, understand their process—and then bring them on board,” Joglekar explains. In 2023, they curated their first exhibition with 23 creators at Poona Club, testing whether Pune would respond to the handmade spirit. “The response was overwhelming,” recalls Mulye. “Since then, THC has evolved into a thriving network of 300+ creators and 1000+ buyers across the city.”

Their approach has helped spotlight creators like Ashwini Jambotkar of Sakuraa Handmades, who transforms tailoring scraps into exquisite fabric collages; Shalmali Bapat, who weaves delicate jewellery through the lost art of tatting; Ashlesha of Studio Ashmeet, who loves narrating the story behind every handmade pot; Sharvari Gokhale, a baker whose pavlovas and tiramisus sell out before closing time; and Swati Sethi, whose crochet toys bring alive childlike wonder.

“People can’t believe they’re made from leftovers,” smiles Jambotkar. “For me, it’s about giving new life to what’s discarded. THC has helped me find people who value that story.” Bapat adds, “Through THC’s workshops, I’ve met people who not only buy my work but want to learn this meditative art.”

THC also organises hands-on workshops—from sand art and kirigami to tie-and-dye and tatting—helping people appreciate the craft and the time it takes. “Once they try it themselves, they understand why handmade costs what it does,” says Mulye. Beyond commerce, THC is a growing community—a space where creators share ideas, inspire each other, and collaborate with a shared purpose: to keep alive the joy of making by hand.

(Neha Rathod is an intern with The Indian Express, Pune.)

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