Anu Elizabeth Alexander, a student of Shishya in Adyar who lives in Besant Nagar, makes jewelery from paper and jute and this artistry is manifested in the decorative products that she sells through her brand, Folded Flourish.
“I first became interested in origami when I was probably seven or eight,” she recalls. “I found a book and started trying out different designs. I really liked it.” Her fascination matured into a deliberate practice: choosing designs she liked and imagining how they might decorate Christmas trees. “I thought they would look great on a tree,” she says.
Some of Anu Elizabeth Alexander’s Christmas decoration-based origami creations. , Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
His specialty is modular origami, a technique where multiple folded units are assembled into a single, complex form. Their festive repertoire includes eight-pointed stars that shine beneath tree lights, paper garlands, modular diamonds, and kusudama, a circular, multi-petaled centerpiece that attracts attention. “My favorite part of the process comes when creating the more intricate folds and adding details,” she says. “I like to make it a little more complicated than before.” Depending on the design, construction may take anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour. “The sheets of paper I use are rarely the same size,” she admits. “The biggest challenge is getting the units to fit together perfectly.” For this Christmas, Anu offers single ornaments priced at ₹150 and sets of four stars, four diamonds, or four garlands, each set priced at ₹500.
Infanta Leon at her crocheting work. , Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Sustainability is not an add-on, but firmly baked into the process: each piece is biodegradable, waste-free and embellished, free of glitter or beads. “Products should be sustainable and biodegradable so as not to harm our planet,” she insists.
At a recent exhibition, the stars he created sold the fastest, followed by small diamonds. “I would like people to know about the process, how it is made and whether it is sustainable,” she says.
Work related to Christmas decorations by Infanta Leon. , Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
crocheting for tree
Infanta Leone of Kotturpuram developed interest in croquet in her teenage years. It was a hobby horse that evolved into a horse that would help him embark on a journey of identity-shaping creative engagement. Motivated by a desire to create safe, eco-friendly toys for children, she began making Christmas-themed decorations two years ago. “With a young child at home and my older child being sensitive to synthetic materials, I wanted to create objects that were soft, durable, and tactile,” she explains. His early creations were small amigurumi toys that gradually evolved into ornaments that could decorate Christmas trees with warmth and charm.
Crocheted crafts by Infanta Leon | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Today, the Infanta’s display is a festive storehouse: Santa Claus, snowmen, miniature candies, mushrooms, bunny characters, Santa hats and custom nativity sets. Each piece is carefully crafted from cotton-enriched threads sourced from trusted suppliers in Mumbai and Chennai, complemented with some fillings and safe embellishments obtained online. Sustainability and safety remain at the heart of their practice, ensuring each jewelery piece is child-friendly as well as durable.
Crocheted Grinch by Infanta Leon | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Creating a piece is a labor of love, often taking three to four hours. Infanta conceives of the design, selects the harmonious color palette, calculates the proportions, and imbues each character with personality. “The most challenging part is bringing out the emotion on a character’s face,” she says. “Even a slight tilt or curve can convey a lot.” This meticulous attention to detail is especially evident in unconventional pieces like the intricate nativity set or the Grinch, which he has recently introduced as a playful twist on traditional decor.
Infanta begins accepting orders around mid-November, carefully balancing each request to ensure all pieces are completed and delivered by December 15, leaving homes decorated and ready for the holidays. Orders are largely word-of-mouth, coming from friends, neighbors and local enthusiasts who value the authenticity of handmade work. Prices range from ₹100 to ₹500.
Yet for Infanta, the joy lies in creation rather than commerce. “I didn’t start this as a business,” she muses. “It was about creating something meaningful. Seeing these ornaments bring smiles during the holidays – that’s the greatest reward.”
published – December 17, 2025 06:28 pm IST