Racks to photoframes, do it yourself mantra grips citizens

It is no longer about hunting down carpenters and labourers, or scanning showrooms in search of that perfect lamp shade, book rack or flower vase.

City folks are increasingly getting a hang of cutting and drilling tools to carve out their own photo frames, table lamps, mirror frames, shoe racks, or engravings on wine glasses and glass bowls.

By acquainting themselves with tools like jigsaw for cutting and sander for smoothening surfaces, Bangaloreans are engaging in carving out decorative items and those of utility, designing, polishing and giving finishing touches.

From IT professionals and engineers to doctors, housewives and interior decorators; almost everyone seems keen to unleash their creative side.

Do-It-Yourself or DIY is very popular in the West, where people do everything from drilling in the wall to electrical wiring themselves, says KS Sharif, a Lalbaugh resident who has created frames and pieces of furniture at his home.

Another DIY fanatic is Madhavi Prabhakaran. Starting from concocting items purely for household consumption like lamp shades, Prabhakaran has gone on to create decorative products using egg shells, coconut shells, plastic spoons and bottles, that she also sells.

To popularise the concept in Bangalore, a DIY centre has been running since March, where anyone can walk in, get a feel of the various tools that are needed, get guidance from instructors on how to use them, and carve out their own niches.

“The aim of the centre is to introduce people to basic tools, teach them to use and make it seem a pleasant exercise,” says Vijay Pandey, vice-president, Bosch Power Tools India, who started the DIY centre. To encourage more people to participate, the centre refrains from levying any charges on participants.

The DIY centre is located at: DIY square, Kayvee Associates, opp Bosch gate No2, Bannerghatta Road.