Wednesday, September 15, 2010

The Art and Craft Trail - Part I

If you've seen M.A.D on Pogo or Mr Maker on Ceebeebies, you would, without doubt, be itching to try out some of those little art and craft ideas by yourself. It is when you set out to execute that plan, that you realise that you don't have some things that'll make it as pretty as the ones you've seen them make. I just love Mr Maker's Doodle Drawers and wish I had one like that. Whenever I visit the regular neighborhood shops for art and craft supplies, I find them lacking in most of the interesting things - like the wiggly eyes, beads and foam sheets for instance. Ask them where to find these and they would promptly tell you to go to Parry's Corner.
Having heard enough, I finally trotted off along with a friend who was as excited about it besides being more familiar with the area. I've only scraped the tip of the iceberg and I still have lots to report!
We first went to Rahman Decorations. A huge market with both gaudy and pretty decoration materials. Danglers, streamers, grass carpets, gift bags - you just name it! Found some pretty cane baskets, candles, vase, flowers, birthday confetti, wall stickers etc.The cane baskets were tempting, but I exercised restraint and moved on. We were looking for handmade paper and we were given some names and directions. Most of them were wholesale dealers and were reluctant to give us a few sheets. We finally found one dealer (whose shop was more like a hole in the wall) who didn't shoo us away. He had a wonderful collection. Papers of varying thickness, coarseness, colours, design - self, glitter and dry leaf types. Irresistible! If you love handmade paper, you'll love this collection!
Here's the name and address:
Kibla Paper and Stationery Stores, 27, Anderson Street, Parrys, Chennai 600001. Mail - kibladiary@yahoo.co.in; Phone: 044-25380985/ 044-25380986
I still hadn't found my wiggly eyes, chenille sticks and pompoms. After some asking around, RR Fancy seemed to be the place to go.We hopped over puddles and navigated some difficult lanes to find RR Fancy Stores snugly sitting next to the famous Saravan Bhavan. Knowing the Sowcarpet area, we didn't expect it to be a big, fancy place but we didn't expect a shop of this size to have pretty much every art and craft material one can name.
Here's the address and the phone number : No 8, Umpherson Street, Chennai 108. Broadway, Near Saravana Bhavan Hotel. Ph: 8124757562/ 044-42064586.

So, finally what did I buy? Here's the list of things that I carried back home:
- Wiggly eyes - so many sizes, shapes and colours...and nose
- Quilling kits complete with the tool box
- Wax for candle making
- Gel wax
- Candle molds
- Wicks, Wick holders, Aromas and colours for candle making
- Glass cut to size for painting
- Emboss painting kits
- Paints - Ceramic paints, glass paints, fabric outliners, various 3D and glitter shades
- Foam sheets
- Felt material in different colours
- Handmade paper  various colours and designs
- Books on the basics and some designs
- Beads, buttons, threads
- Pre stitched zardosi patters and stones - you just have to stick it with glue
- Pompoms
- Set of brushes

What they also had:
- Canvas stretched on boards and canvas rolls
- Complete materials required for oil painting
- Ceramic powder and molds for ceramic art
- Plaster of paris with molds
- Different types, designs of molds
- Paper - all kinds including quilling supplies
- All things required for Zardosi work, borders, designs etc
- Lace
- Wool, knitting materials, Knitting kits
- Embroidery materials
- Craft punches
- Complete charcoal set

What I still haven't found
- Chenille sticks/ Pipe cleaners
- Furry pompoms
- Bendable wires 

The Glass paintings would have dried by now...will post a pic soon...



8 comments:

Jayashree said...

Wow....looking forward to see what you and Pattu make with all of that. Next time you go to Parrys corner/sowcarpet give me a call....I'd love to go too.

Unknown said...

Pics plsssssssss. :)

Vidya said...

This reminds me of the provision list Kamal reads out in Michael-Madam-K-R movie:)Jokes apart, looking forward to seeing the pics. Have done reverse glass and emboss stuff before but the other materials - haven't even heard few names you've mentioned here!!

Uma said...

Jayashree, Vidya - I've only picked up everything like a kid in a candy store... haven't a clue what to do yet... but hoping to google and make something :)
..and I've never done anything before...

Shruti - will post pics soon... they are in different phones and cameras and systems... need to get them in one place

Hema said...

That was very informative. Though I would possibly not know the use of each of those, I would have picked them just for the heck of it! Waiting for the pics.

Uma said...

Hema - not that I know the use of all these :D
As usual, Google to the rescue ... will post pics soon...

Vini aka Pooh said...

Sending this to my mom. I know she frequents a place near The place my mom frequents is RS Shoppe on LB Road
and Raja Stores in Tnagar

santhu said...

Hi,
RR fancy stores in broadway was shifted to mint street . Do anyone know the address? If anyone knows please let me know.