Bandra Art Studios See Surge in Demand for Bedazzling Workshops
Bandra art studios are experiencing a surge in demand for bedazzling workshops, as local residents turn to rhinestones and crystals to customize everyday items. The activity has emerged as a popular weekend trend across Mumbai over the past few months, serving as a screen-free, therapeutic stress-buster.
The workshops, which are held at various art studios and cafés in Bandra, Khar, Kandivli, Ghatkopar, and Kanjur, are selling out rapidly. Organizers credit social media platforms for fueling the sudden craze, with users eager to recreate crystal-customization videos they see online.
"The moment I post a bedazzling workshop, the slots are gone," said Priyam Katakia Gandhi of Art Nook. Gandhi noted that the demand has soared over the past few months, drawing a diverse crowd of participants that includes college students as well as working professionals in their thirties and forties.
According to organizers, the appeal of bedazzling lies in its therapeutic benefits. Bushra Khan of The Artistic Escape explained that the meticulous process of placing tiny rhinestones one by one requires intense focus, which helps quiet the mind and encourages participants to put their phones away.
The workshops require no prior artistic experience. Instructors teach participants how to use a wax pad and applicator to neatly place rhinestones on a variety of items, ranging from phone cases, tumblers, and tote bags to sneakers, denim jackets, and canvas wall hangings.
"You don't need any prior art background and yet you can create something beautiful," said Rohanshi Manek of Gossip Glue, who recently conducted a workshop. Khushi Shah of Kya Scene Bedazzle Workshop added that the low-pressure activity attracts multiple generations, including Gen Z, millennials, and baby boomers, who take their completed art home in display frames.
For local participants, the workshops offer an affordable way to create personalized, high-end looks. Karan Mehta, who recently attended a customization workshop, noted that doing it yourself costs a fraction of the price of buying a designer embellished piece, while offering a unique sense of self-expression.
The trend continues to spread across the city, with workshops hosted by various groups including Beautiful Hues in Khar, Paintology in Dadar, and independent creators hosting pop-up events in local cafés.
