It all began during the pandemic when I discovered air-dry clay and started experimenting with making little things for friends. They encouraged me to sell my creations, and my first gig was making magnets as return gifts for my nephew's birthday party!
In September 2025, I organised my first exhibition at my mother's home. I brought together a few fellow artist friends, hoping to create an opportunity for all of us to showcase and sell our work. My mother was, of course, my biggest cheerleader!
I still remember the excitement of someone actually spending money on something I had made. It was a completely different feeling from making things for friends and family.
The first few exhibitions went rather well, and I was feeling quite encouraged. But reality caught up quickly! I remember participating in an exhibition where I sold just one piece. After all the time and effort that had gone into preparing for it, I felt quite low and, if I'm being truthful, took it a little personally. Looking back, I'm glad those disappointments came early. They taught me that not every exhibition will be a success and that there's a lot to learn from the ones that don't go well.
I've also discovered something about myself, I tend to make things that I enjoy creating. Not necessarily the best business strategy, I know! But there's something wonderful about someone discovering an unusual little piece I've made, connecting with it and wanting to take it home.
A year later, I've gone from that exhibition at home to participating in multiple pop-ups across different cities. Many of these spaces are filled with young entrepreneurs, especially in the art and handmade community.
Sometimes I find myself being one of the oldest people behind a stall! The Gen Z crowd is incredibly friendly, but I do feel a little shy standing there in the middle of a very happening crowd. Still, it's been lovely connecting with people across generations through the things I make.
And then there's the business side of things! From figuring out pricing and packaging to setting up an online store and creating content for Instagram, it's been a whole new learning experience. I'm still struggling to keep up with the last two! But receiving my first online order was a special moment. Someone had discovered my work online and wanted to buy it!
What's been particularly interesting is seeing how my previous experiences are coming together. My years in graphic design help with branding, packaging and presenting my products, while my experience in the NGO and education sector has taught me about planning, organising, working with people and solving problems. It's quite satisfying to see skills learnt across different roles come together in something I'm building myself.
I'm still a beginner at running a handmade business, but I'm certainly not starting with nothing! Ruki Tuki has pushed me to learn new things, meet interesting people and step outside my comfort zone. I'm looking forward to seeing what its second year brings.
And if my work sparks an idea for a collaboration, unique handmade gifting for your organisation or a creative art workshop for your team, I'd love to connect.
Explore my creations at @rukituki.creates or write to me at bhatia.rukhmini@gmail.com.