<p>Layer upon layer, years worth of memories compress themselves in a small space. First, they are imprinted on the brain and then, glued on to colourful sheets of paper. This is what Nidhi Dokania, a second-year computer engineering student of CMRIT, does in her spare time — she creates infinity boxes, among other things. <br /><br /></p>.<p>These memory boxes, she explains, are her most challenging creations and can take up to 20 days to make. With close to 25 layers in one box, they are like the folds of a brain and each layer holds a memory. “I first saw an infinity box on Pinterest. I love spending time on the Internet, Pinterest in particular, so I come across many interesting and unique ideas. These ideas intrigue me and I try to replicate them, giving them a personal touch, of course. I never watched a tutorial on how to make the box, but I got it right on my first try,” she says. <br /><br />Since the idea was so complicated and involved putting together various memories, many people weren’t enthused by it. But one person consented and Nidhi decided to make them an infinity box. “He gave me photographs and I did the rest — finding suitable quotes, adjusting the layers, colours and designs and more. It was my most challenging project because I had never done it before and I was going by what a picture.”<br /><br />Art and craft have always been Nidhi’s passion. As a child, she was raised by a talented and creative mother, which formed her base. “My mother would try different kinds of art and craft techniques. At first, whenever I had school art projects, she would do it for me, and I’d sit beside her. Soon enough, I started helping her and honing my skills,” she says. Neither mother nor daughter have had professional training in art. Instead they seek solace in experimenting with new techniques everyday. “When I started college, I spent all my time studying, which was stressful. I decided to take crafting a little more seriously and turned it into my hobby then,” explains Nidhi. <br /><br />When she can’t figure out a technique, she goes to her mother for help. “I always wanted to make a dreamcatcher but I wasn’t very good with a needle and thread. That’s when I asked my mom to help me. I even offered to show her some online tutorials but she refused, and made it on her own, by looking at a picture.” This talent of replicating a picture and giving it a personal touch is something Nidhi inherits from her mother. “She is my inspiration.” <br /><br />Aside from memory boxes and dreamcatchers, Nidhi also makes greeting cards, envelopes, hair accessories and other gifting options. Her favourite medium to work with is paper. “I love paper art because there is so much you can do with it.” <br /><br />Once she’s done with college, she gets creative and spends a lot of her free time crafting. The thrill of having no boundaries is what Nidhi likes the best. “I don’t restrict myself to a particular technique or something like that,” she says. <br /><br /><em>(Nidhi can be contacted on nido14cs@cmrit.ac.in)</em><br /><br /></p>
<p>Layer upon layer, years worth of memories compress themselves in a small space. First, they are imprinted on the brain and then, glued on to colourful sheets of paper. This is what Nidhi Dokania, a second-year computer engineering student of CMRIT, does in her spare time — she creates infinity boxes, among other things. <br /><br /></p>.<p>These memory boxes, she explains, are her most challenging creations and can take up to 20 days to make. With close to 25 layers in one box, they are like the folds of a brain and each layer holds a memory. “I first saw an infinity box on Pinterest. I love spending time on the Internet, Pinterest in particular, so I come across many interesting and unique ideas. These ideas intrigue me and I try to replicate them, giving them a personal touch, of course. I never watched a tutorial on how to make the box, but I got it right on my first try,” she says. <br /><br />Since the idea was so complicated and involved putting together various memories, many people weren’t enthused by it. But one person consented and Nidhi decided to make them an infinity box. “He gave me photographs and I did the rest — finding suitable quotes, adjusting the layers, colours and designs and more. It was my most challenging project because I had never done it before and I was going by what a picture.”<br /><br />Art and craft have always been Nidhi’s passion. As a child, she was raised by a talented and creative mother, which formed her base. “My mother would try different kinds of art and craft techniques. At first, whenever I had school art projects, she would do it for me, and I’d sit beside her. Soon enough, I started helping her and honing my skills,” she says. Neither mother nor daughter have had professional training in art. Instead they seek solace in experimenting with new techniques everyday. “When I started college, I spent all my time studying, which was stressful. I decided to take crafting a little more seriously and turned it into my hobby then,” explains Nidhi. <br /><br />When she can’t figure out a technique, she goes to her mother for help. “I always wanted to make a dreamcatcher but I wasn’t very good with a needle and thread. That’s when I asked my mom to help me. I even offered to show her some online tutorials but she refused, and made it on her own, by looking at a picture.” This talent of replicating a picture and giving it a personal touch is something Nidhi inherits from her mother. “She is my inspiration.” <br /><br />Aside from memory boxes and dreamcatchers, Nidhi also makes greeting cards, envelopes, hair accessories and other gifting options. Her favourite medium to work with is paper. “I love paper art because there is so much you can do with it.” <br /><br />Once she’s done with college, she gets creative and spends a lot of her free time crafting. The thrill of having no boundaries is what Nidhi likes the best. “I don’t restrict myself to a particular technique or something like that,” she says. <br /><br /><em>(Nidhi can be contacted on nido14cs@cmrit.ac.in)</em><br /><br /></p>