How This Mumbai Mom Turns Her Daughter’s Old Toys Into Beautiful, Sustainable Furniture

“Art is not just about creating something beautiful, it is also about giving life to the forgotten, the discarded, and the overlooked.” This is how Poonam Shah (37) describes her artistic philosophy — a belief that led her to start something truly unexpected in a quiet corner of her Mumbai studio.

Her journey into the art world began as a tickle of curiosity during her time in the US. Today, it has blossomed into a full-time passion (and profession!), one that combines her creative spirit with the happy memories of her daughter’s childhood. 

Poonam, who converts outgrown toys into one-of-a-kind resin art furniture, believes that every repurposed piece has a story to tell. She sees her work as more than just functional — it’s deeply personal. Whether it’s a chair, a table, or a playful lamp, each creation is infused with nostalgia and creativity.

The first brush with resin art

Born and raised in Mumbai, Poonam started her career in finance. After completing her master’s degree in the UK, she worked at Deloitte for a few years. 

But things took a different turn when she got married and moved to Philadelphia. It was during her six years there that she first encountered resin art. “Something about it caught my attention, and I felt drawn to it. It felt like a whole new world of creativity had opened up to me, and I wanted to explore the art more,” she tells The Better India.

“I have always had a creative side. I get it from my mother, who is also artistic,” Poonam adds. “Back then, in India, pursuing art professionally wasn’t common. A decade ago, people would ask — can you really make a living from it? Thankfully, the mindset is changing now, and art is getting the recognition it deserves.” 

Poonam’s decision to pursue resin art raised a few eyebrows at first. But once she shared her plans with her family, they encouraged her to follow her passion.

While in Philadelphia, she took two workshops to understand the basics of resin art. She also frequented art galleries, carefully observing resin pieces to learn more about the medium.

However, it wasn’t until her return to India — just before the COVID-19 pandemic — that she decided to take the plunge and pursue resin art full-time. She immersed herself in online tutorials and resources, determined to master the skills and start something of her own.

How her daughter sparked a whole new business line

Poonam’s art business didn’t truly take off until a simple conversation with her seven-year-old daughter, Ayana. “One day, Ayana asked if I could make something out of her outgrown toys,” she recalls. That question sparked a new direction in her artistic journey.

“At first, I wasn’t sure what to create, so I started by making a resin slab from my daughter’s outgrown toys. It sat in my studio for a couple of months. Someone suggested turning it into a table, but that felt too ordinary. Then it hit me: why not use Ayana’s toys to make a small rocking chair for her? That’s how the whole kids’ line was born,” explains the entrepreneur.

Poonam began creating resin art furniture using her daughter’s old toys — puzzle pieces, blocks, and broken crayons — transforming them into beautiful and meaningful art. What started as a personal experiment quickly evolved into a concept that resonated with many. The kids’ line, launched just six months ago, has already become a hit among clients.

“It’s all about preserving memories. Each piece I create carries something personal, whether it’s a toy that once brought immeasurable joy to a child or one that’s been given a second life to shine again,” she adds.

One of her clients, Ashna (name changed on request) from Mumbai, shares a heartwarming memory: “My son and daughter-in-law loved the resin art chair and table made from their son’s outgrown toys. But the most special moment was when my grandson saw his little cars inside the furniture. He was completely surprised and overjoyed. Everyone loved it because it’s so unique and meaningful.”

The care and craft behind each piece

Poonam’s process of creating these resin art pieces is as much about the client as it is about the art. Every piece is custom-made, guided by the client’s input.

“First, we talk about the design, the client’s vision, the piece’s size, shape, and any specific requests they might have,” she explains. “Once that’s clear, I make a wooden or silicone mould to fit the design. Then comes the fun part: arranging the toys in the mould.”

Clients send her toys — tiny cars, dolls, erasers — which she arranges inside the mould. After layout approval via video call, she pours resin over the arrangement, encasing the toys in a glass-like finish.

“Resin is a tough material that hardens like glass. Its edges can be quite sharp, too. Once it sets, we use handheld machines to sand and polish it to smoothen the edges. It’s a lot of hard work, but when you finally see the finished piece, it’s all worth it,” she says.

If it’s a table, she attaches legs and finishes the surface with a glossy polish. The process takes about a month or more, depending on the complexity.

‘Children love this idea’

The kids’ line has been a game changer for Poonam’s business. From chairs and tables to lamps, each piece is crafted from a child’s outgrown toys, reinventing them into something functional and cherished. 

“I love using brightly coloured toys because they make the pieces pop,” she says. “It brings the furniture to life and captures the energy of childhood. I ask parents to send in the most colourful and flat toys for easy incorporation, which would also look vibrant.” 

One project that Poonam vividly remembers is a table she created using frozen candies embedded in resin. “It turned out so lively.” But her favourite piece remains the very first chair made from her daughter’s old toys. “That was a special one. It’s now one of my best-selling items. Children love the idea of seeing their own toys inside the furniture.”

The artist’s studio, ‘Poonam Shah Art’, is based in Andheri West, Mumbai. She launched her business full-time in 2023, after spending three years perfecting her craft since 2020. 

Her work gained traction largely through Instagram. “My clients mostly find me through Instagram, where I post pictures and videos of my latest creations. It’s a great platform to showcase my work and attract new customers,” she shares.

Poonam’s team, which consists of seven to 10 people, helps with the technical aspects of the process, such as mould-making, sanding, and polishing. “I still oversee everything, but having a team has helped me manage the increasing demand for my work. I can focus more on designing and customisation,” she says.

Running a growing brand as a hands-on mum

Managing a full-time business while being a mother is no easy feat, but Poonam has found a balance that works for her. “In the beginning, I was managing everything by myself. So, I used to work late at night or early in the morning when Ayana was asleep. Now that I am lucky to have a supportive team, it’s easier to manage my time and focus on the creative side of things,” she says.

When it comes to sourcing raw materials for her resin art furniture pieces, the entrepreneur gets resin, moulds, hardener, and other materials from local vendors, and her team manages receiving orders, production, and packaging. For large shipments, she collaborates with packers and movers; for smaller ones, she uses private delivery services.

Her primary client base spans Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Pune, Hyderabad, and Assam, with Delhi ranking second after Mumbai. While she often collaborates with architects and designers, most kids’ line orders come directly from parents.

If you ask her what keeps her going, she’ll lend a proud smile and say, “I am glad I decided to pursue art full-time. The furniture I create with outgrown toys pushes me to explore my creativity in ways I never imagined before. Each piece is a new opportunity to prove myself as an artist.” 

With each custom creation, Poonam is not just crafting furniture, she’s helping families hold onto moments that might otherwise fade with time.

Edited by Khushi Arora; All pictures courtesy Poonam Shah

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