band of beads: June 2026

Monday, June 15, 2026

CAC at Bond Over Bindings, Jakkur

"Hi, BOB!"

"Hi, bob!"

Introducing!

"BOB (Bind Over Bindings)"

meets...

"bob (band of beads)"

A beautiful venture, managed by welcoming and passionate people; Bond Over Bindings (BOB) offers a range of children's books and workshops. My first offline interaction with Neha and Sahana was at Bhoomi Santhe (https://adiz-artmania.blogspot.com/2026/06/flea-market-bhoomi-hubba-visthar.html). Pursuing a similar passion of narratives with artistic expressions at band of beads (bob), I was excited to be at their bookstore in Jakkur. This time, for the maiden Community Art Circle session!

The child-friendly bookstore is like a trip to a wonderland. With interesting shelves nestled in varying shapes and in branches of a "tree", the books were equally attractive.

BOB - a wonderland!

The workshop area is a perfect platform for the imagination to be set free - little tables for each kid, floor seating on little cushions, and excited kids coming in! We were all set for the session!

All set!

A bit of game. A bit of paper folding. A bit of drawing with basic shapes... ingredients for creating a base for unique stories! There was a sudden pause to enter the world of imagination. A bit of anxiousness about the new territory. A simple example demonstrating the fact that we all have a world inside our minds, wanting to come out!

Imagination... set free!

Imaginative Expression... set free!

After a deeper dive, each paper had a beautiful drawing. This inspired impromptu stories, narrated with excitement and claps... Yes! We all had reached the wonderland! A documentation of the wonderland story on paper followed to capture a snapshot - still not possible by technology! Some chose to make the drawing more realistic by adding interesting colours in objects! Afterall, we were out-of-the-box!

Unique stories on paper

As parents came over, the kids wanted to continue their journey and take a part of it home - departing was definitely difficult!

band of beads is thankful to each and every child and their parents to participate in this session. A special mention of BOB for hosting bob in this wonderful space. Looking forward to meet again!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Event at BOB:

Event Poster:

Monday, June 8, 2026

Flea Market @Bhoomi Hubba, Visthar

Symbiotics.

A short term, with a deep meaning.

With various examples found in nature, it brings in a question on the existence of individuals - selfish, selfless or sharing? To find answers, needs a pause....

A celebration of the vibrant eco-system on Earth, Bhoomi Hubba is scheduled every year on Environment Day. Being at the clean and green venue of Visthar gives a perfect pause. The urban landscape of buildings suddenly blur into age-less trees. Grays turn green. Noises fade out, with a nature-led symphony of chirps and rustling leaves. The air suddenly feels cool. All the senses feel at home!

Before the city woke up, the venue was full of action - an "early bird" feeling! Decorations of flowers and leaves at every few steps made it welcoming. The day was planned with performances, workshops, film screenings and an exclusively curated flea market - privileged to be a part of it.

As I was setting up the stall, the wonderful announcements and songs - folk and western - proved to be the perfect companions! Audiences soon poured in - very different this time. Most of them stopped over. Admired with gleaming eyes. Smiled. A sight, which I treasure.

A school girl picking her favorite accessory.

A little girl choosing a "Strawberry" themed skirt and a "parrot" print top with her Grandma. So adorable!

Two teenage girls browsing the accessories and choosing a birthday gift. The excitement was contagious!

A Grandma choosing a gift for her one-year old grandchild - a finger puppet and a baby's name tag. Her daughter dropping in after a while and choosing a few more puppets and some accessories - surprised by the fact that her mom had purchased from the same place! After a few hours, returning again with her child, browsing the collection - a wonderful family.

Kids and adults seeming to be zoning out in a wonderland, looking at the "noise-less" windchimes and a book-character wall hanging.

A guy looking for a gift for a girlfriend - asking curious questions!

A lady adorning the recently purchased "native American-Indian" theme bracelet - encouraging two more people for a purchase!

Each visitor showered kind words and respect for the products - handmade at home! Some had a keen interest in the sustainable practices followed, process of making, the time spent in making and a curiosity to connect by picking up the visiting card and scanning the insta QR code. This audience clearly understood handmade, sustainability and kind human behavior - something quite rare.

band of beads is thankful to each and every guest for stopping by and taking home a part of the handmade world. A special mention of the wonderful host, Visthar for this thoughtful celebration. A day, reminding of symbiotics and the joy of being a tiny part of this Bhoomi.