The Journey of Dee Decors

I took a leap of faith and founded Dee Decors, officializing my journey as a creative entrepreneur. My mission was clear yet deeply personal: to breathe new life into Kolam, a traditional South Indian geometric art form that has always held a sacred space in my heart.

I debuted my very first vendor stall. It felt incredibly blessed and auspicious to start this entrepreneurial path in a space rooted in culture. The overwhelming warmth and support from the community validated my vision and filled me with pride for keeping this cultural connection alive.

Building on my initial momentum, this summer stall allowed me to expand my reach, introduce my hand-crafted pieces to new audiences, and build lasting community connections.

Positioned near India's Independence Day, this vibrant, celebration-filled mela was an exhilarating experience. The festive energy perfectly matched the joyful spirit of my colorful decor items.

Immersing myself in a new local hub gave me fresh perspectives. Participating in this community-centric event emphasized the universal appeal of geometric symmetry.

This multicultural festival was a major milestone. I was given the platform to speak publicly about the history, meaning, and cultural storytelling behind Kolam. Watching people from diverse backgrounds connect with the art form was an immensely proud moment.

Organized by the Washington Indian Association (WAIA), this bustling holiday market allowed me to share festive decor with families celebrating the season of lights.

Closing out my first year, this winter market introduced Dee Decors to the Eastside holiday shopping crowd, establishing my handcrafted art as unique, meaningful gifts.

In collaboration with a fellow artist, I realized a long-held dream: teaching the community how to draw traditional Kolam on the floor using rice flour. Watching participants connect with the tactile, meditative process of the art form was incredibly fulfilling.

I had the honor of contributing to a major Kolam exhibition. I fabricated custom Kolam panels for the display and provided extensive, hands-on assistance in executing a massive, live Kolam directly on the gallery floor.

To deepen public engagement with the gallery exhibit, I co-led an immersive workshop. It was a beautiful opportunity to elevate Kolam to a contemporary gallery space while passing the tradition down to the next generation.

I brought a hands-on Kolam experience to young students using floorboards. The children and their parents were deeply engaged, showing immense curiosity and joy as they mapped out the intricate patterns themselves.

I expanded my public artistic showcase by exhibiting my specialized Dot Mandala art pieces, connecting with a diverse academic and local audience.

I hosted my very first independent, in-person Art Lounge. It was a magical day where mothers and families came together to relax and intuitively create their own beautiful dot mandalas to take home.

On the exact same day as my Art Lounge, my dedication to culture and business was recognized on a civic level. I was deeply honored to receive the SWECHA Award for Women Entrepreneurs, presented by the Swecha Organization in partnership with the City of Bothell.

I proudly participated in my local art scene by featuring my work at Shop of the Heart, collaborating with owner Cristhal to bring traditional geometric art to downtown Renton.

Over this historic Memorial Day weekend festival, I participated in two major capacities: conducting a two-day interactive Kolam workshop in the Makerspace where participants of all ages learned patterns and contributed to a Community Canvas, and having a signature fine art piece selected for display at the International Fountain Pavilion Gallery Showcase—a sophisticated fusion of Kolam and Dot Art.