Hey!

I’m Devi Chand, the heart and hands behind Papermelon and I’m so thrilled to have you here!

I bring to life exciting jewelry and decor from upcycled paper – all from my little home studio in Bengaluru, India.

Crafting, for me, is like adding a splash of color to life, a joyful escape from the mundane.

And amidst the creative chaos, I proudly wear two cherished titles – wife to one and mother to a bundle of boundless energy.

I’m Devi Chand, the heart and hands behind Papermelon and I’m so thrilled to have you here!

I bring to life exciting jewelry and decor from upcycled paper – all from my little home studio in Bengaluru, India.

Crafting, for me, is like adding a splash of color to life, a joyful escape from the mundane.

And amidst the creative chaos, I proudly wear two cherished titles – wife to one and mother to a bundle of boundless energy.

Flashback

As a wee kid, I reveled in creating glittery baubles and tiny gift boxes from candy wrappers and proudly adorned the Christmas tree. My parents were my first cheerleaders, embracing the mess and nurturing my early crafty adventures.

Fast forward to my college days at NIFT, where I studied design, dreams took shape, and I stumbled upon my amazing husband, a serendipitous side effect of my creative journey.

Post-graduation, I dipped my toes into the corporate design world, where yawning became a frequent pastime. It took a mere nine months for me to bid farewell to the corporate humdrum and give birth to Papermelon in 2009, a venture that has kept me crafting nonstop ever since.

Square One

When I started out, armed with nothing but my enthusiasm and a vibrant stash of paper from my design education, I began experimenting. A simple yet enchanting discovery occurred during one of these experiments – my first paper bead, delicately rolled over a toothpick. What began as an experiment turned into countless hours of perfecting the art and ensuring these creations were as durable as they were beautiful.

Over time, my affinity for working with paper has grown into a profound love affair. There’s magic in the way paper transforms, and I’m smitten by the endless possibilities it presents.

Trashy Treasures

I obsessively collect all kinds of papers—newspapers, magazines, calendars, gift wraps, paper bags, pamphlets, you name it.

I have a network of friends, neighbors, and well-wishers who unconditionally contribute to my vibrant paper stash, knowing that each sheet, each snippet, holds the potential to become something truly special in the hands of this offbeat artist (that’s me!).

So, together, we turn what some might dismiss as mere waste into the building blocks of beauty.

The Making

Here in my creative haven, I’ve chosen to embrace simplicity. No fancy machinery; it’s just me, my hands, and the raw beauty of paper.

The process begins with the gentle rustling of paper as it’s delicately cut into strips. These strips, like puzzle pieces, are then meticulously hand-rolled into perfectly shaped beads.

Upcycled paper features irregular designs and colors, akin to working with a canvas with a mind of its own. Predicting the patterns these beads will choose to flaunt is nearly impossible.

When the final bead emerges, I find myself just as surprised as anyone else, and that element of unpredictability is something I absolutely love.

The paper beads are treated to a coat of sealant that makes them water-resistant, ensuring they can be cherished for a lifetime. These beauties then find their spot on my balcony, basking in the sunlight until they are thoroughly sun-dried.

The beads are then assembled into unique pieces of jewelry and decor, soon to discover their perfect place in the world.

So, when you hold a piece of Papermelon in your hands, know that it’s not just an accessory or decor item. It’s a journey from the simplicity of paper to the warmth of your touch. It’s a story of unpredictability, suspense, and the joy of creation.

And if you’re curious about our sustainable studio practices, there’s a whole story waiting for you to unravel.

Milestones

Thrilled and grateful to have Papermelon showcased in some truly fantastic publications, both digital and print.