Priyanka Nag was the last person to think that she would be such a pro at making dreamcatchers — a hoop on which a pattern is woven such that — as per native American culture — it keeps away the bad dreams and helps people sleep well. This bubbly youngster from Biramitrapur, near Rourkela in Odisha, has always been good at arts and crafts but she turned to it with even more gusto when she discovered that she had multiple sclerosis (a disease where the immune system eats away at the protective layer covering the nervous system) in 2018.
She was pursuing Finance and Accounting from St Xavier's College, Kolkata, at the time - a course she wanted to pursue while she was working at TCS, Kolkata. "With great difficulty and with the help of my doctor and parents, I completed my studies and then went in for the treatment at NIMHANS in Bengaluru," says the 24-year-old, describing her ordeal. During her recovery, she started painting and stumbled upon the art of making dreamcatchers, which she learnt from watching YouTube videos, in March 2019.
In the past few months, Priyanka has sold more than 55 dreamcatchers and 20 dreamcatcher earrings, the latest addition to her product portfolio. Orders pour in from Bengaluru, Mumbai, Hyderabad and other cities. "I ensure that the materials I use to make these are of top quality. So, I order the threads from Rajasthan and chicken and goose feathers from Tamil Nadu," explains the youngster who sells her products on her Instagram handle @thedreamysaga. "I never knew that I was capable of all this, turning my craft into a business," says Priyanka who does this full-time now. She dedicates time every day from 10 am to 1 pm to this art and particularly loves making dreamcatchers of pastel hues. "I also particularly adore the Buddha dreamcatchers," says the youngster.
Priyanka dreams of expanding her digital catalogue to include hampers, especially for Valentine's Day and other such special days. She would also love to teach this art to others so that they can make a living out of it, just like her.
Some of her creations
For more, check out instagram.com/thedreamysaga