Project Overview
Weavsy is a mindful crafting project that brings Indian tactile traditions, like weaving and embroidery, into modern life through portable, design-forward DIY kits. It invites people to slow down, unplug and reconnect, offering craft as a meditative, creative ritual. Rooted in my experience as a textile designer working with artisans across India, weavsy emerged from the quiet power of handwork. I often carried crafting with me, calming my thoughts during transit and moments of rest. When shared, this practice sparked emotional responses: calm, presence, curiosity. weavsy builds on that response, offering kits that are easy to carry and use anywhere, at home, outdoors or hanging out with friends. The project aligns with movements around slow living and wellness, while enticing you to have a living relationship with heritage crafts. weavsy reframes traditional techniques as accessible, daily acts of self-care and cultural connection.
Expected Impact
I hope weavsy encourages people to rediscover the value of working with their hands, not just as a hobby, but as a form of mindfulness, cultural connection and care. In a world overwhelmed by screens and speed, weavsy offers a tactile, screen-free pause: a way to feel present, calm, and creatively engaged. I want it to spark curiosity about India’s rich textile heritage, especially among those who may feel disconnected from it. By making traditional crafts approachable and portable, the project aims to keep these practices alive, not just as exhibitions or nostalgia, but as part of daily, modern life. I also hope to build a community of new-age makers who use craft as a way to rest, relate, and resist burnout. Ultimately, weavsy is about nurturing small, personal rituals that ripple outward, to support cultural continuity and inner stillness.
Applicant Background
Nitya Amarnath is a textile futurist, biomaterials designer and founder of Botto Labs and weavsy, two experimental spaces exploring the intersection of craft, science, waste and climate. Her work transforms discarded materials into shimmering, compostable futures through projects like Bequin, a seaweed-based bio-sequin and Botto Emporium, a tactile study in upcycled products. Rooted in a philosophy she calls Compostable Capitalism, Nitya blends ancestral techniques with biomaterial science to imagine climate-resilient practices and processes. With weavsy, she extends this ethos into a playful, screen-free crafting, inviting others into the slow, rhythmic joy of making with your hands. Across her practice, Nitya champions low-tech innovation, community-led design and fashion that can biodegrade.