A student at Shishya in Adyar who lives in Besant Nagar, Anu Elizabeth Alexander fashions paper and jute into ornaments and this artistry is manifested in decorative products she sells through her brand, Folded Flourish.
“I first got interested in origami when I was maybe seven or eight,” she recalls. “I found a book and I started trying out different designs. I really liked it.” Her fascination matured into a deliberate practice: selecting designs she loved and imagining how they could adorn Christmas trees. “I thought they would look great on a tree,” she says.
Some of the Christmas decor-based origami works of Anu Elizabeth Alexander.
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Her speciality is modular origami, a technique where multiple folded units coalesce into a single, intricate form. Her festive repertoire includes eight-pointed stars that gleam under tree lights, paper wreaths, modular diamonds and Kusudama, a spherical, multi-petalled centrepiece that commands attention. “My favourite part of the process arrives while making more complex folds and adding details,” she says. “I like to make it look a little more complex than it already is.” Depending on the design, creation can take 15 minutes to an hour. “The sheets of paper I use are rarely the same size,” she admits. “The biggest challenge is making the units stick together perfectly.” For this Christmas, Anu offers both single ornaments priced at ₹150, and sets of four stars, four diamonds, or four wreaths, each set priced at ₹500.
Infanta Leon at her crocheting work.
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Sustainability is not an add-on, but stamped firmly into the process: every piece is biodegradable, waste-free and unembellished, free from glitter or beads. “Products should be sustainable and biodegradable so that our planet is not harmed,” she emphasises.
At a recent exhibition, the stars she made sold the fastest, followed by the small diamonds. “I would like people to know about the process, how it is created, and that it is sustainable,” she says.
A Christmas decor-related work by Infanta Leon.
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Crocheting for the Tree
Infanta Leon from Kotturpuram developed an interest in crochet as a teenager. It was a hobbyhorse that evolved into a steed that would help her embark on a journey of identity-shaping creative engagement. She started making Christmas-themed decor two years ago, spurred by a desire to craft safe, eco-friendly toys for children. “With a toddler at home, and my elder child sensitive to synthetic materials, I wanted to create items that were gentle, durable and tactile,” she explains. Her earliest creations were small amigurumi toys which gradually evolved into ornaments that could adorn Christmas trees with warmth and charm.
Crocheted craft by Infanta Leon
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Today, Infanta’s repertoire is a festive menagerie: Santa Clauses, snowmen, miniature candies, mushrooms, bunny characters, Santa hats and bespoke nativity sets. Each piece is meticulously crafted from cotton-rich yarns sourced from trusted suppliers in Mumbai and Chennai, supplemented with some filling and safe embellishments obtained online. Sustainability and safety remain at the heart of her practice, ensuring every ornament is child-friendly yet enduring.
Grinch crocheted by Infanta Leon
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Creating a single piece is a labour of love, often taking three to four hours. Infanta visualises the design, selects harmonious colour palettes, calculates proportions, and imbues each character with personality. “The most challenging part is bringing out emotions in the face of a character,” she says. “Even a slight tilt or curve can convey so much.” This meticulous attention is particularly evident in complex nativity sets or unconventional pieces like the Grinch, which she recently introduced as a playful twist on traditional decor.
Infanta begins accepting orders around mid-November, carefully balancing each request to ensure all pieces are completed and delivered by December 15, leaving homes adorned and ready for the holidays. Orders are largely word-of-mouth, drawn from friends, neighbours, and local enthusiasts who value the authenticity of handcrafted work. Prices range from ₹100 to ₹500.
Yet for Infanta, the joy lies in creation rather than commerce. “I did not start this as a business,” she reflects. “It was about making something meaningful. Seeing these ornaments bring a smile during the holidays — that is the greatest reward.”
Published – December 17, 2025 06:28 pm IST
