For Mahima Umesh Chari who runs Crochet Treasures, crochet is not only about making products – it is about weaving in comfort, creativity, and happiness in every design
AAKANSHA CHARI
What was just a hobby for Mahima Umesh Chari has turned into small business after encouragement from friends and family.
Chari has always been fond of trying new and creative things and crochet is one of them.
The Betul-based crochet artist picked up the basics through YouTube tutorials and practiced regularly till she perfected her designs. “I love making handmade items and wanted to turn my passion into something creative and meaningful. I decided to sell my products when people started appreciating my work and encouraging me to show my skills online,” she says. Thus, she began her venture, Crochet Treasures, about a year ago. “With crochet I can express my creativity and showcase my skills to make something unique,” she says.
Currently, she makes and sells products like teddy bears, key chains, bookmarks, and hairclips and also takes customised orders.
Besides this, she also sells pipe cleaner products, adding a versatile dimension to her brand. “A customer shared an image of pipe cleaner bouquet that she wanted done. Since I too wanted to try my hand out at this art form which had become popular, I decided to give it a go. Since then, I have been making more such products.” Pipe cleaner bouquets are her main specialty.
Alongside her creative work, Chari works as a cashier relationship executive but still manages to find time to devote to her crochet orders
But she does admit that it is not always easy doing custom orders and fulfilling the price demands from customers. “Getting customers, pricing the products, and meeting deadlines are the main challenges that I face,” she says. Still through all the challenges, she tries to balance everything by staying calm, explaining her work and making them understand the value of handmade goods. “Each stitch is done by hand. It takes time and effort. Handmade products carry creativity and details that machines can’t replicate ” she says.
The most difficult piece she has done so far is a custom crochet baby dress, which she crocheted based on a reference given to her. Her favourite works however are teddy bears. “They somehow feel special to me,” she says, adding that she wants to try making more unique things in future like customised wedding bouquets, flower baskets, anime character dolls, customised gift hampers, and more. “I want to grow and reach more people both online and offline,” she says.
