Hello, dear readers! I’m back after a longish break – a
surprising, out-of-the-blue break, where I launched a whole new career as an
artist, making and selling quirky, cure, out-of-the-box artwork (here's my Jugnoo Story Art FB page). I was also
recovering from some health issues, and giving all the required TLC to my spine
;-). I’m back here again, with new ideas, new challenges (i.e. balancing
writing, art, homeschooling my son & my military spouse portfolio), and the
gumption to nudge more of you into the ‘Boss Lady’ life as a self-employed, work-from-home,
fauji wife.
I’m
launching a brand new series every week with posts designed to help you banish
those issues and create your own Girl Boss life, from anywhere in the country! Do
subscribe to the blog to stay tuned. And, don't forget to join our new group: Be Your Own Boss From Anywhere.
Today,
I’ve invited Navy wife and Jewellery Designer, Rupinder Kaur at The Brigade
that Builds Brands, to share her creative journey as she juggled military life,
motherhood and a business. Without further ado, here’s what we chatted
about.
For
those who are new to my blog: The Brigade that Builds Brands is an interview series about Fauji wives who
create businesses or stay uber creative while juggling all the social + family
commitments.
CB. Please tell us something about yourself –
what do you do, where are you based and how long have you been a fauji wife.
R. By
education I am a trained Hindustani classical vocalist and also have completed
my B Ed. I spent my initial 10 years of married life looking after and raising
my two lovely daughters. In 20114-15 I realized that I had some time to spare.
Also my husband’s job took him for long sailings and to utilized my time
gainfully I got involved with NWWA and also started making utility items from
paper weaving. I started my brand ‘Recreation
– The Inner Voice’ in February 2015. The page has been a huge success for
me and today I have more than 800+ followers of my page. My paper weaving art was a huge success but
regular transfers thereafter ruined some of my artifacts due to their delicate
nature and this made me think that I needed to do something different.
So I started making jewelry with a
difference. I started investing my time in learning about fabric art and making
jewelry out of jewelry. I also started hand embroidery and crafted my
embroidery into jhumkas and neck pieces which were liked by my inner circle of
friends. I started exhibiting my art within Naval community and also got chance
to display my art during Kala Ghoda festival in 2017. NWWA, at Mumbai, was very
supportive of my effort as well as that of other artists. Since that time there
has been no looking back and my effort has been recognized by art lovers across
India.
I am presently at Delhi. I am married into
Naval family since 2002.
|
Rupinder's handmade jewellery |
CB. Fauji wives make their home in an
assortment of obscure places across the country. Our lives are about living in
the moment and doing what we can, when we can. Can you share how you stayed
creative or found work that satisfied you while moving across the country?