In Pune, artist Shibani Dhavalikar has transformed her childhood passion for painting into a flourishing business of handmade ceramic tiles. Once working in the world of education and ed-tech, Shibani now creates floral and vine-adorned ceramic pieces that grace celebrity homes and international projects, blending heritage art with modern design.
- Hand-painted ceramic tiles blend tradition with modern interiors
- Journey from ed-tech professional to successful ceramic artist
- tiles featured in celebrity homes and collaborations like IKEA
What happened
Shibani Dhavalikar spent nearly a decade in education and the ed-tech industry, where her work became increasingly technology-driven and disconnected from creativity. Yet art had always been part of her life through painting and doodling from childhood. She rekindled this passion as a side hobby, sharing her colorful floral and botanical designs on social media where they began drawing attention.
Encouraged by positive responses, she began selling handmade pieces like hand-painted wooden frames at flea markets. The strong demand convinced her to leave her corporate job and focus fully on art. A failed experiment painting ceramic plates with acrylic sparked a deeper interest, leading her to study traditional blue pottery in Jaipur and eventually develop her own technique for creating lasting, hand-painted ceramic tiles.
Why it feels good
Shibani’s story resonates because it embodies the courage to pivot from a stable career to pursue creative passions rooted in heritage and craftsmanship. Her tiles are not mass-produced but crafted slowly and patiently, inviting a sense of warmth and authenticity into modern homes.
Their rich colors and hand-drawn motifs connect with people on a personal level, reflecting both cultural traditions and natural beauty. The fact that her creations have found places in celebrity kitchens and global projects underscores the universal charm of handmade artistry thriving in a digital age.
What to enjoy or watch next
Those inspired by Shibani’s journey can follow her studio’s evolving collections which continue to blend ancient ceramic traditions with contemporary aesthetics. For lovers of handcrafted decor, exploring artisanal ceramics is a wonderful way to bring unique story-filled pieces into one’s living space.
Shibani’s collaboration with big names like IKEA also highlights exciting opportunities for traditional craft to meet mainstream design markets. Community art fairs, social media artist features, and cultural craft workshops offer a great way to support and discover similar talent redefining heritage crafts today.