The story behind starting the Craft Challenge?
Participation in a flea market in the recent past got me thinking. Playing with numbers has always been something that I love, so I did some math. Participating in a flea market these are the costs that are involved: Rent of the stall, transporting your stock and yourself, food and refreshments for the entire day for two people. With the rent of a decent stall can be anywhere between 3.5k to 5k, the total cost can be anywhere between 5k to 7k for the day.
When you are not working on huge profit margins, then there is a serious worry, coz you are expected to arrive at a huge sales number to break even with the costs. Where there are 200 stalls, arriving at that number seems unrealistic.
Flea markets give you visibility, but for smaller brands like mine, and many other designers and non traditional crafts, the cost factor is a huge hindrance. And the fact that there are so many flea markets in different parts of the city, the number of serious buyers are decreasing.
Since IndyaKaleidoscope is mostly into traditional handicrafts, I wanted to include non -traditional crafts without losing the essence of why I started the store in the first place. Inviting designers and crafters to display their products would be quite a challenge, I couldn’t think of a fair way to restrict the number. Allowing everyone would ofcource change the theme of IndyaKaleidoscope. Charging a commission is not something I wanted to do.
Thats when the idea of a craft challenge struck me. And to do the pilot, i approached Suchi, admin of the facebook group “Bangalore Craft Lovers”. I was prepared to be shot down, but she was extremely encouraging. We received some brilliant entries.
Keeping the judging process offline turned out to be good idea and eliminated the possibility of M. Judges could touch and feel the product before putting down their marks on various set criteria.
The Winners for the First Challenge?
The runner up position went to Nirmala Murali Mohan, The brilliant dhokra wall hanging. She scored a perfect score for imagination 
Congratulations Nirmala!
The First Place!! Goes to the super cute creation by Saritha Ashok of Rainbow Bunting She score high points in functionality, durability and ease of use. Congratulations Saritha!
All the entries were appreciated by everyone who got to see them at the store and all of them will be proudly displayed in the office, until the second challenge entries are judged.
A big thank you for all the participants for their encouragement. Looking forward to many more Craft Challenges in future.
such talented girls..awesome…nice that u gt them together via this contest
Saritha Ashok’s work is very cut and diff. Congrats to both the winners
Wonderful work everyone and kudos to the winner!
Great job all the participants and the organizers! Preethi its a wonderful opportunity for people like us and takes back to the old creative school/college days.Hope to participate in the next crafts challenge.
Congrats Sarita and Nirmala!
I remember lining tins with gunny threads and sticking cut mirror pieces on them at high school for craft projects… But these ones above are far more prettier. Keep working those hands, ladies.. all the best!
Kudos to Preethi who organised the Challenge!
Looking forward to more Crafts Challenges!
Dear Preethi
this is an awesome initiative !Dropped in to tell you I posted about the winnings with a shout out about your store.I couldnt thank you properly when I received it as an unfortunate thing happened and my cocker spaniel doggy who is otherwise nondestructive had a go at your beautiful box…I was so heart broken I couldnt tell you or Shruthi
The photo taken in low resolution fortunately doesnt show the chipped off paint from the teeth marks!Thank You so much
May you have all success in your venture
Cheers from Bangalore, India
Sonia
cardsandschoolprojects.blogspot.com