27 May,2021 08:42 AM IST | Mumbai | Sukanya Datta
(From left) Vada pav miniature; Irani chai magnet
Last year, during the lockdown in Ahmedabad, Sailee Samel, a travel industry professional and artist, found herself missing the sights and sounds of her native Mumbai, especially the Irani chai. "I was going through old photos of my office days in Fort. We would hang out at Jimmy Boy, Military Café and Yazdani Bakery. I really missed chatting with my colleagues over cups of chai," recalls Samel, who channelised her nostalgia into polymer clay miniature magnets that she retails under her brand, The Yellow Brushh.
The hand-made magnets, which capture the essence of the decades-old institutions - complete with bun, maska, chequered tablecloths and, of course, the Irani chai - are among the many miniature collectibles that Samel has crafted. The 30-year-old took to sculpting, resin art and painting full-time after losing her job last year. "I was introduced to clay a few years ago, when I started making my own Ganpati," she shares, adding that her collection is inspired by food and cities. The other miniatures include tributes to vada pav thelas and pav bhaji.
Log on to @theyellowbrushh on Instagram
Cost Rs 699 onwards
