The Basic to Advanced Mehendi Course held from March 18 to 21, 2025, at Pullukadu Housing Unit aimed to empower underprivileged women through skill-based training in organic mehendi artistry. Over four days, participants learned to prepare natural mehendi paste, make cones, and master a variety of intricate design styles including Arabic, bridal, mandala, and event-specific patterns. Emphasis was placed on design composition, symmetry, and spacing to match client expectations. The course not only improved artistic techniques but also focused on entrepreneurial opportunities, guiding women to offer services for weddings, festivals, and local events. Through hands-on practice and expert instruction, participants developed speed and precision in application. Special sessions addressed customer communication, pricing, and online promotion. By using organic ingredients, the training ensured skin-safe, eco-friendly practices. The program fostered confidence and creativity, encouraging participants to turn a personal interest into a sustainable income source. Reviews highlighted the well-structured curriculum, detailed demonstrations, and professional insights. Participants gained knowledge in facial structure mapping and mehendi placement, enhancing their skillset for bridal and special event artistry. The training created a supportive space for learning, experimentation, and personal growth. Many expressed enthusiasm about starting their own mehendi businesses. This course reflects the transformative power of grassroots skill development and serves as a stepping stone toward financial independence, proving that with the right guidance, a traditional art form can open doors to self-employment and empowerment.
HANDMADE HEROINES 11- Basic Mehendi Course
The Basic Mehendi Course, held from March 9 to 11, 2025, at the Pullukadu Housing Unit, was designed to empower underprivileged women by equipping them with the artistic and entrepreneurial skills needed to turn their creativity into a livelihood. With five participants, this three-day workshop introduced the essentials of Mehendi art—beginning with organic cone making and progressing to Arabic, bridal, mandala, and event-specific designs. The training emphasized design composition, spacing, symmetry, and client-specific customization. Participants gained hands-on experience preparing natural henna paste using eco-friendly ingredients and learned the step-by-step process of creating intricate patterns. The workshop served as both a skill-development session and an entrepreneurial orientation, encouraging women to consider offering Mehendi services for weddings, festivals, and special occasions. The program also introduced concepts like product safety, color coordination, and market readiness, enabling participants to adapt their skills to real-world customer demands. Through guided practice and mentorship, the women gained speed, precision, and confidence in their designs. The course provided insight into how these skills could be monetized through local services, exhibitions, and online platforms. More than just an art class, the initiative aimed to nurture self-employment, financial independence, and a sense of personal achievement. By the end of the training, the participants were equipped not only with practical Mehendi techniques but also the motivation to pursue advanced learning and business opportunities in this craft. This initiative reinforced the belief that small-scale, home-based skill training can significantly contribute to economic empowerment and community development.
HANDMADE HEROINES 13 – Basic Mehendi Course
The Basic Mehendi Course was organized from 09.03.2025 to 11.03.2025 at the Pullukadu Housing Unit, with six enthusiastic women participants. Designed to empower underprivileged women, the training focused on teaching the art of organic mehendi through practical, hands-on learning. Participants were introduced to the process of making natural mehendi cones using henna powder and essential oils, and they practiced intricate designs including Arabic, bridal, mandala, and event-specific patterns. The training emphasized key skills like symmetry, speed, spacing, and design composition to enhance professional-quality application. As part of an entrepreneurship initiative, the program also guided women on converting their skills into income-generating opportunities, offering mehendi services for weddings, festivals, and other events. Market-readiness was a key focus, with participants trained to adapt designs based on client preferences. Confidence-building activities empowered them to pursue mehendi art as a business. The course aimed to transform a creative hobby into a livelihood, fostering financial independence and entrepreneurial spirit. Participants were also encouraged to explore online platforms and local fairs for showcasing their skills. The three-day workshop successfully laid a foundation for skill-based income, promoting sustainable development, creativity, and women’s empowerment at the grassroots level.
HANDMADE HEROINES 9 -Silk Thread Jewellery Making
The Silk Thread Jewellery Making training program held on 13th February 2025 at Pullukadu Housing Unit aimed to empower women and adolescent girls from slum communities by equipping them with creative, income-generating skills. With 8 participants, this one-day workshop introduced the art of crafting elegant bangles, earrings, hair accessories, and clips using vibrant silk threads and simple tools. Designed especially for homemakers and students, the program offered step-by-step, beginner-friendly guidance to build both creativity and confidence. The training not only focused on technical skills but also included insights into material sourcing, color coordination, and product finishing. Emphasis was placed on understanding customer preferences, particularly for bridal and festive designs, making the craft more commercially viable. Participants also learned the basics of entrepreneurship—how to price their products, market them effectively, and explore sales through exhibitions and online platforms. The session highlighted the potential of silk thread jewellery as a low-investment, home-based business opportunity. Through hands-on learning, participants gained valuable exposure to product development and design planning. Many expressed a strong interest in continuing their learning journey and turning their new skills into micro-enterprises. The program proved to be a powerful step in promoting self-employment, financial independence, and sustainable livelihoods for underserved women. It demonstrated how grassroots training initiatives can unlock economic self-reliance, encouraging participants to embrace entrepreneurship as a pathway to empowerment and growth.
HANDMADE HEROINES 9 – Silk Thread Jewellery Making
On February 13th, 2025, a one-day Entrepreneurship Development Training on Silk Thread Jewellery Making was held at Pullukadu Housing Unit, aiming to empower underserved women through creative skill-building. With 8 enthusiastic participants, the workshop focused on providing practical, hands-on training to craft beautiful bangles, earrings, hair accessories, and decorative clips using vibrant silk threads and basic tools. Designed especially for homemakers and adolescent girls from slum areas, this training introduced a livelihood-oriented craft that requires minimal investment but offers high potential for self-employment. Through step-by-step demonstrations, participants learned essential jewellery-making techniques, including design composition, material selection, color coordination, and product finishing. Beyond crafting, the session also educated women on pricing, marketing, and selling their products—offering valuable insights into turning creative hobbies into micro-enterprises. The workshop emphasized creating elegant and market-friendly designs suited for both daily and festive occasions, encouraging women to take pride in their handmade creations. Participants were also introduced to the basics of product development and entrepreneurial planning, including sourcing raw materials and identifying consumer preferences. The training successfully fostered creativity, confidence, and a spirit of enterprise among the attendees. Most importantly, the women expressed excitement and a renewed sense of purpose, with many eager to pursue advanced training and business opportunities. This initiative reaffirmed the power of grassroots-level capacity building in transforming lives by nurturing self-reliance and economic independence. One participant shared, “The class was empowering. I never imagined I could learn so much in a day. I now feel confident to use these skills to earn a living.” By equipping women with such practical tools, the training program paves the way for sustainable livelihood creation and inclusive development in vulnerable communities.
HANDMADE HEROINES 6 – Silk Thread Jewellery Making Training
The Silk Thread Jewellery Making training held on 21st and 22nd June 2024 at the Community Hall, Vellakinar, was a skill development initiative aimed at empowering 12 women and adolescent girls from underserved communities. This two-day workshop provided participants with hands-on training in crafting elegant and colorful accessories such as bangles, earrings, hair clips, and bands using silk threads and simple tools. The program began with a basic introduction to silk thread jewellery as a livelihood craft, showcasing its popularity in festive and bridal markets. Participants learned how to prepare materials, wrap threads, and combine beads and embellishments to design attractive handmade pieces. The training focused on developing technical skills, understanding color coordination, and ensuring product finishing for market readiness. In addition to creative expression, the workshop incorporated entrepreneurial components—covering pricing strategies, marketing techniques, and potential sales avenues including local exhibitions and online platforms. This dual approach aimed not only to boost participants’ artistic confidence but also to prepare them for income-generating opportunities from home-based businesses. The trainer provided personalized guidance throughout the sessions, ensuring that each participant grasped the process and completed their own jewellery items. Feedback from the women highlighted their excitement, confidence, and eagerness to pursue the craft further. Many expressed interest in participating in advanced training and starting micro-enterprises. This initiative is part of a broader vision to encourage skill-based entrepreneurship and self-reliance among women, particularly homemakers and students, by turning creative skills into sustainable livelihoods. The program successfully nurtured creativity, promoted financial independence, and inspired participants to dream bigger. It stands as a testimony to how community-based, low-investment skill training can ignite transformation at the grassroots level.
HANDMADE HEROINES 5 -Basic Mehendi Class
he Basic Mehendi Course held on 21st and 22nd June 2024 at the Community Hall in Vellakinar was designed to introduce women and adolescent girls to the traditional art of Mehendi. This two-day training focused on empowering participants from underserved communities with essential skills to pursue Mehendi application as a livelihood. Through this workshop, 20 participants learned to prepare natural henna paste, make mehendi cones, and apply simple yet elegant designs such as floral patterns and geometric shapes. The course highlighted the cultural significance of Mehendi in weddings and festivals, reinforcing its relevance and demand in Indian society. With step-by-step hands-on training, learners were guided to practice and perfect their application techniques, ensuring skill development with practical experience. The workshop also emphasized organic and skin-safe ingredients, offering participants a sustainable approach to the craft. In addition to technical skills, the training provided insights into turning Mehendi art into a small business, covering aspects such as offering services at local events, using social media to promote work, and participating in community exhibitions. By introducing basic design principles like symmetry and color coordination, the training prepared participants for both festive and casual client demands. The environment was inclusive and supportive, allowing learners to build confidence and ask questions freely. Each trainee received personal attention and guidance, helping them progress at their own pace. Many expressed enthusiasm to pursue advanced Mehendi classes and start earning through home-based services. The program successfully instilled a sense of empowerment and creativity, motivating women to become financially independent. This initiative is part of a broader effort to promote entrepreneurship among women through skill-based training. Participants completed the course with a strong foundation in Mehendi artistry and a clear vision of how to use this skill for income generation. The success of this workshop highlights the impact of grassroots-level interventions in enabling sustainable livelihoods.
HANDMADE HEROINES 4 -Silk Thread Jewellery Making
The Silk Thread Jewellery Making training program, held at the Community Hall in Vellakinar on June 14th and 15th, 2024, aimed to empower underprivileged women and students by equipping them with creative, income-generating skills. With 15 participants, the two-day workshop focused on crafting elegant and marketable jewellery items like bangles, earrings, hair clips, and accessories using vibrant silk threads and simple tools. Designed for beginners, the training offered step-by-step guidance to enhance creativity, improve handcrafting techniques, and build self-confidence. This initiative emphasized both skill development and entrepreneurship, helping women understand how to price, market, and sell their products. Participants were introduced to design basics such as color coordination, material sourcing, and product finishing, especially for bridal and festive collections. A special focus was given to creating unique designs suited for daily and festive use, making the craft both appealing and commercially viable. The training also provided insight into how these skills can be monetized through exhibitions, local sales, and online platforms. Through hands-on practice, women learned to transform silk threads into artistic creations, while gaining confidence to pursue self-employment opportunities. Many expressed interest in further training and business development support. The session served as an inspiring foundation to spark micro-entrepreneurship and home-based businesses. Participant feedback highlighted the clarity and encouragement offered by trainers, as well as the joy of learning a new craft. The training opened a new path for participants to generate income, contribute to their families, and become financially independent. By introducing a low-investment, high-potential livelihood option, this program supports grassroots women in becoming economically self-reliant. It also fosters creativity and community participation through shared learning. Overall, the workshop aligns with larger goals of gender equality, inclusive development, and skill-based empowerment.
HANDMADE HEROINES 10 – Basic to Advanced Mehendi Course
The Basic to Advanced Mehendi Course, conducted from March 18 to March 21, 2025, at the Pullukadu Housing Unit, aimed to empower underprivileged women by equipping them with practical, income-generating skills. A total of 4 participants received hands-on training in organic mehendi cone making and professional-level designs such as Arabic, bridal, mandala, and occasion-based patterns. The course was designed to develop artistic skills while building speed, accuracy, symmetry, and creativity. Special focus was placed on design composition, spacing, and adapting to client preferences. The training promoted organic methods by teaching participants to prepare mehendi using natural ingredients, ensuring safety and skin-friendliness. Participants learned how to make cones, create intricate designs, and enhance body features through thoughtful placement of patterns. The program also introduced basic principles of product development and color coordination. The initiative aimed to transform a traditional art form into a viable livelihood option, helping women gain financial independence. Entrepreneurial aspects were addressed through sessions on taking local mehendi orders, promoting services at community fairs, and using online platforms to expand reach. The course encouraged participants to see themselves as potential business owners, capable of offering high-quality services for weddings and festivals. Through continuous practice and expert guidance, participants improved their confidence and design quality. The program also supported creativity by encouraging experimentation with styles and techniques. Real-time application of designs during the sessions allowed participants to refine their skills and prepare for real-world customer demands. The training ultimately helped women move beyond hobby-level interest and into a market-ready professional mindset. Participant feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing excitement to take up mehendi as a small business. The initiative reinforced the importance of grassroots-level skill training as a sustainable path to self-reliance and empowerment. This training was a stepping stone to self-employment, offering a low-investment, high-demand opportunity for women to earn from home. By merging art, skill, and entrepreneurship, the course provided a platform for long-term livelihood development.
HANDMADE HEROINES 2 – Silk Thread Jewellery Making workshop
On March 17, 2024, a one-day Silk Thread Jewellery Making workshop was conducted at the BTG Trust office to empower women from slum communities through skill-based learning. With 10 enthusiastic participants, the training aimed to equip homemakers and adolescent girls with practical, low-investment craft skills that can lead to self-employment. Participants learned to make elegant bangles, earrings, and hair accessories using vibrant silk threads and simple tools. The step-by-step, beginner-friendly approach encouraged artistic expression and built self-confidence. Beyond skill development, the training introduced the basics of entrepreneurship—how to price, market, and sell handmade jewellery in local markets, exhibitions, and online platforms. Participants were also taught about material selection, color coordination, product finishing, and design planning, especially for bridal and festive collections. This session highlighted the commercial potential of handmade jewellery and inspired women to consider micro-entrepreneurship opportunities. A strong focus was placed on creating beautiful, wearable, and market-ready pieces. The workshop proved to be more than just a craft class—it became a platform for economic empowerment and creative growth. One participant shared that the training made her feel confident and motivated to pursue jewellery making as a sustainable livelihood. By the end of the program, many expressed interest in continuing their learning journey and starting small businesses. This initiative is part of a broader mission to support grassroots-level women entrepreneurs and foster inclusive economic development.