DIY Ideas Keeping People Busy In Lockdown

DIY Ideas Keeping People Busy In Lockdown

Confined to homes in the midst of coronavirus pandemic, people have found productive ways to combat boredom. While some are making the most of the vacant hours by spending quality time with loved ones, many others have engaged themselves in creative pursuits and are trying their hands at various crafts and tasks. From donning chef hats to creating DIY interior decorations from readily available items at home, the lockdown has witnessed the emergence of a new breed of talents.

Sharing her lockdown pastime with My City Links, Sadhvaita Mahapatra, a student of B.Des, said Do It Yourself (DIY) crafts have not only enhanced her professional skills but also provided her with a great escape from the stress and anxiety due to COVID-19 pandemic. “When the first lockdown was imposed four months back, all our classes went online. Since we were not acquainted with the process, it was difficult for us to cope with the sudden change. I was feeling really down in this crisis situation.”

Sadhvaita credited her mother for opening the creative windows for her again. “As students, we get so engrossed in group discussions, lab experiments, site visits and projects that we hardly get time for creativity. One fine day, my mother suggested me to use the waste generated from our coconut tree in making crafts. First, I learnt to weave coconut leaves and sticks. Subsequently, I created wall hangings with coconut leaves, small toys for living room with coconut fibre. Besides, I and my mother made two mats and shed covers by weaving two whole leaves. These are eco-friendly items which can be used in place of plastic products,” she informed.

Many are also using DIY crafts to deck up idols of Hindu Gods. Sakshi Agrawal, a post-graduate student of Ravenshaw University is engaged in making dresses for ‘Ladoo Gopal’, an incarnation of Lord Krishna. “I and my mother used to prepare clothes for ‘Ladoo Gopal’ at home when we decided to commercialise our creativity. As our works were getting appreciated, we discussed our business idea with my brother and launched our brand,” she informed.

Sakshi and her mother are designing dresses, checking minute details like close-knit stitches, embroidery, etc. Recently, she sold her first batch of dresses and is quite optimistic about her business plan.

Similarly, DIY home decor has caught the attention of architect Pratyasha Patra. She said, “Architects are like interior designers. As professionals when we deal with clients wanting to renovate their house, we suggest using a craft or art of their own. We encourage them to do some pot painting, twig works, etc to enhance the aesthetic beauty of their homes.”

Pratyasha always had a keen interest in art and crafts since her childhood days. Her family, especially her mother, always encouraged her to pursue her interest. “Making a DIY craft to decorate the home gives a person confidence, pride and artistic pleasure. That’s the reason why I ensure participation of the client in each of my designs,” she said.

People can also install their children’s project and artworks in their living rooms. “When I was a kid, my parents used to provide me with raw materials like papers, glues, glitters, etc to create whatever I wanted to. I remember creating a Ganesha out of glitter, paper balls and piggybank. As most of the things are readily available in markets nowadays, parents should not suppress the creativity of their children. Since schools and outdoor activities have stopped, the kids should be allowed to explore their creative side instead of spending more time surfing the internet,” Pratyasha said.

The young architect has been utilising the lockdown period productively. She has completed and sent her research paper for publication. “I have painted 4-5 canvases for a long time. Besides, I have made some crafts like laptop bags,” she added.