Creating My Own Path, One Craft at a Time

An inspiring story of Hetal Shah (Khyaal Club Member)

“My name is Hetal Shah. I am 52 years old, from Mumbai. I have completed B.Sc. in Textile. Looking back at my life, I feel that creativity was always a part of me. As a child, I loved art and craft.

After graduation, I received good job offers from well-known companies. Unfortunately, I was not allowed to take them. At that time, many families believed that girls should not work in corporate jobs. I accepted that reality. But deep down, I never wanted to depend on anyone, and I never wanted to sit idle. Instead of giving up, I started teaching students. I took private tuitions and even taught small craft courses. I worked hard and earned enough to become financially independent. It gave me confidence and taught me that if one door closes, there is always another way.

Soon after, I got married and entered a new phase of life. My responsibilities increased like many women. There was very little time left for myself between household work, family duties, and raising children. But even in those busy years, my creative mind refused to stay quiet. Whenever I found a little time, I would do something creative. I remember making handmade photo album pages for our family photography business. Slowly, people began to appreciate my work, and I started receiving more opportunities.

Learning has always been my biggest passion. Whenever I visited my mother’s house during holidays, I would join a short workshop and learn a new art form. Sometimes it was candle making, sometimes jewellery, sometimes paper craft. Every new skill made me feel alive. Even today, that curiosity has never left me. If I see a beautiful handmade piece anywhere, I come home and try creating it myself. I enjoy understanding how things are made and then adding my own ideas to them. Over the years, one skill became many.

Today, I teach various art and craft forms, including macramé, resin art, paper crafts, quilling, newspaper weaving, scrapbooking, Kusudama art, Kanzashi, and many more. Some of these art forms are still rare in India. I teach children, adults, and senior citizens. My youngest student was just three years old, while my oldest student is 76. The joy of learning belongs to everyone. People often ask me how I marketed my work. The truth is, I never really did. Almost everything happened through word of mouth. One happy student would recommend me to another. One workshop would lead to another. Families, schools, neighbours, and friends slowly became my biggest supporters.

I also believe that creativity should never be limited by rules. When I conduct workshops, I encourage everyone to create something unique instead of copying the same design. I want people to discover their own imagination because that is where real creativity begins.

Art has given me much more than work. It has given me peace. There were difficult phases in my life when I felt emotionally exhausted. During those times, I would simply sit with my colours, paper, threads, or clay. As soon as I started creating, my worries slowly disappeared. Art became my therapy. It reminded me that no matter what life brings, I can always create something beautiful from it.

Even today, I continue learning new techniques. Recently, I have been exploring resin art, preserving wedding garlands and flowers, and creating customised handmade pieces. Every new project excites me like it is my first. My dream for the future is very close to my heart. I am building a small home in my native place in Kutch. I hope that one day I can teach children and local people there all the art forms I have learnt over the years. I don’t want my knowledge to end with me. I want to pass it on. If someone learns a skill from me, starts earning from it, and becomes independent, that will be my biggest achievement.

Last year, I joined Khyaal community, and it has added a beautiful new chapter to my life. I enjoy playing Tambola and attending creative sessions whenever I can. They give me a chance to learn, laugh, and meet like-minded people. Being connected with a community where everyone encourages each other feels wonderful. This year, I am also excited to participate in Khyaal’s 50 Above 50 talent hunt in the craft category and look forward to sharing my creative journey with many more people.

Life has taught me one important lesson: Never say no to learning. Every new skill opens a new door. Every challenge teaches us something. And every small step we take today becomes part of a much bigger journey tomorrow. To all my fellow seniors, I would like to say this: Never underestimate yourself. You have more strength, talent, and potential than you realise. Keep learning, keep creating, and keep believing in yourself.” - Hetal Shah (Khyaal Club Member)