Roll of a time
The technique of rolling newspaper and using environmentally-friendly adhesives with
water-based paints led to a wide range of
products
Iconceived the designs using recycled newspaper in a new avatar. Since I was doing social work in Israel, I came across papier mache and other recycled materials in various projects and so I wanted to use this medium. But, for some reason, the papier mache was unstable in the environmental conditions of Punducherry. I had to find a solution to develop a new technique keeping in mind the aesthetics, simplicity and long-lasting products using newspaper production waste and thus was born Wellpaper products.
The technique of rolling newspaper and using environmentally-friendly adhesives with water-based paints led to a wide range of products from practical to decorative; household goods like baskets, table mats and lampshades to costume jewellery of all types. We design round baskets that are handcrafted using newspaper reeds in colours like orange, blue, green and offwhite. These baskets are varnished to become waterproof and can be washed and cleaned easily. They are light and very durable and make attrac- tive additions to kitchens, offices or living spaces. There are also very earthy laundry baskets made from large woven newspaper rolls with matching colour lids, serving bowls made of rolled newspaper canes, round coaster pots woven with small size paper rolls, bags that are handcrafted using newspaper reeds and cotton thread and belts and earrings made of newspaper board with beads in attractive hues.
Today, the owners of Well manufacturing units in these villages are the women shareholders who are now craftswomen and entrepreneurs. Based on the design philosophy of Well (Women’s Empowerment for Local Livelihood), the village women in and around Auroville create products that are chic, stylish and useful.