In the growing world of handmade crafts and thoughtful design, consumers today are seeking more than just decoration. They want personality, originality, and cultural relevance. From quirky accents to meaningful gifts, there is a rising appreciation for items that feel personal and tell a story. Especially in India, where heritage crafts meet modern sensibilities, a new generation of creators is bringing fresh life to traditional inspirations. One such creative force is Hoity Toity, a brand that transforms acrylic into vibrant, stained-glass-inspired decor and jewelry, handmade with care and designed to uplift any space. Launched in 2021 by Subarna De, Hoity Toity is rooted in a deep admiration for old-world artistry and a desire to make it accessible for everyday life through lightweight, colorful, and customizable pieces.
A Love for Stained Glass Reimagined in Acrylic
The origin of Hoity Toity lies in Subarna’s longtime fascination with stained glass, a medium she encountered during her international travels. Struck by its timeless beauty but aware of its limitations in terms of cost, fragility, and scope, she began exploring how to replicate that luminous charm in a more versatile material. Acrylic emerged as the perfect alternative, transparent like glass but far more durable, affordable, and forgiving.
Building on her background in fashion with her garment label “Prima Donna,” Subarna launched Hoity Toity as a creative and expressive outlet. Her vision was to modernize the stained-glass aesthetic and integrate it into functional lifestyle pieces that would resonate with today’s audiences.
Whimsical Pieces That Elevate Everyday Living.
Hoity Toity offers an eclectic mix of hand-painted acrylic products ranging from jewelry and wall decor to garden accents and wind chimes. Each piece is crafted by hand and often fused with silver to create jewelry that is unique in both form and color. Unlike traditional accessories, these pieces are fully customizable, allowing customers to match them to their clothing, interior themes, or even personal interests.
What sets Hoity Toity apart is its ability to take any space, no matter how small, and infuse it with charm and color. Subarna’s creations feature everything from Indian icons like Sufi, Krishna and Pichwai cows to fantasy figures like Mermaids and Unicorns. Functional elements like scarecrow plant stakes or butterfly wind chimes are both decorative and purposeful. Because these items do not require shelf space or walls, they are perfect for adding visual interest without clutter, offering a new way to enjoy art in everyday surroundings.
Navigating Challenges and Expanding a Craft-Driven Vision.
Building Hoity Toity came with its own set of challenges. From finding the right thickness and finish to managing color blending in transparent material, Subarna had to refine her technique through trial and error. Photographing her work was also difficult, as the transparent pieces often reflected or revealed objects in the background. Educating customers about this unfamiliar craft took time, but with persistence and attention to detail, the brand has built a loyal following.
Looking ahead, Subarna envisions Hoity Toity expanding its reach beyond individual sales into corporate gifting, festival offerings, and collaborative projects. Her mission is to continue integrating Indian crafts like Meenakari and Kantha into her acrylic work, creating a modern design language that appeals to both young consumers and design-conscious adults. In the next five years, she hopes the brand will be more widely recognized as a creative force in home decor and artistic jewelry, offering a new way to experience beauty through handcrafted art.
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