This Diwali, we suggest you dress up your home with user-friendly and eco-friendly items by making the most of recycled products, courtesy Priyanka Sharma, home decor specialist and artist
A rangoli made using cardboard and mirror work
Paper craft
A nature-themed decor set-up by Sharma, including a tree and birds made from crepe paper and newspapers
There are various ways to make [wall decorations] with colourful crepe paper or any other craft paper,” says Sharma. “These may be used for general wall hangings, like paper flowers, and even to create a Toran.”
Opt for a theme, be it floral or forest themes, with trees and leaves, or a fauna theme, including butterflies and birds. In addition, clay can be used to create small idols and figures to complete the look.
Old is gold
Priyanka Sharma. Pics courtesy/Priyanka Sharma
Diwali is when extensive cleaning will have you discovering dated newspaper copies. Instead of disposing of them, Sharma advises, reduce your household wastage by rolling or cutting up the old paper, and making bark and branches with it. “Flowers and leaves made with craft paper can be stuck onto these branches,” Sharma says. Add a splash of colour by painting newspaper cut-outs of various shapes and sizes as well.
Reuse previous decor
Sharma advises using cardboard cutouts to make round bases for candle or diya holders. Paint and embellish these, with beads or pieces of mirror work. These can often be found on other already-existing or previously used decorations or even on rakhis, Sharma points out. Instead of disposing of older decor, reusing them to create new items proves both eco-friendly and budget-friendly.
Get messy
Ditch traditional rangolis, with the usual colours purchased from the market, and make use of any intact cake base at home by painting it in any style of rangoli of your choice. Get as creative as you want; use clay to make figurines or other items such as flowers, to add on to the rangoli decor as well.
Aesthetic diyas
A hand-painted pond using a similar base and clay flowers
Here is an easy way to use diyas to set the festive spirit. “Melt a candle on top of a diya, and melt a crayon along with it to add any colour tint of your choice to create a colourful candle,” Sharma explains. You can create a set-up of several such diyas, decorate it with flowers, and even add an aroma for a fragrance.
DIY with kitchenware
Glasses used as candle holders. Representation pics/istock
For those seeking a time-friendly option to light up your hall, use drinking water glasses as candle holders, by filling them with flowers, turning them upside-down, and placing a small candle on top of each.
Paint over purchase
Diyas can be painted at home
Instead of splurging exorbitant amounts on colourful, flashy diyas, take the time for a focused painting session by using simple art tools available at hand to paint earthen diyas as creatively as you like.
Log on to @artsywishbypriyanka
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
