Moakala T Aier
From making miniature items out of clay as a kid to taking it up as a profession after a long hiatus, Lolentsungla Longchar has come a long way.
Her love for clay modelling began at a young age but it was in 2021 when she was reconnected with her childhood passion, thanks to tutorial videos online. She instantly bought a block of clay and ‘has been making clay art ever since’.
“As a kid, I would occasionally find and collect natural clay during my outdoor explorations, and bring it home to make miniature pots, plates and cups,” Longchar, who owns ‘Wallfleurthings’, told Eastern Mirror.
‘Wallfleurthings’ is an online-based platform where she sells her clay-made items like fridge magnets, souvenirs, keychains, card holders, incense holders, wedding ring plates, wedding keepsakes, figurines, trinket holders, and several others.
The name ‘Wallfleurthings’, she said, was inspired by the word ‘wallflower’. “I was looking for something that would resonate with me and connect with my anxious, introverted self,” said Longchar, whose passion is reflected through the neat finish and minute details being incorporated into her products.
“I found joy and comfort in the process of transforming a lump of clay into a piece of art,” she said.
‘To create a piece involves sketching out the idea, shaping and sculpting the clay into its desired form, followed by sanding, painting and finally coating the piece with resin for a durable, waterproof and shiny finish,’ she said while sharing about the tedious process yet rewarding end product.
She also takes customised orders, allowing the customers to have a more ‘personalised experience - by making it unique and meaningful to them.’
She said that each of her items is ‘thoughtfully made with great attention to detail and a creation of love and skill’.
Source of inspiration
‘I find new designs and ideas through research, sketching, experimentation, seeking feedback and staying true to my personal style,’ she said.
On her biggest source of inspiration, Longchar said: “It would be ‘Studio Ghibli’ which is known for its wonderful Japanese animation. If I ever need a creativity boost, I can always turn to the magical world of Ghibli. I also draw inspiration from other clay artists, different crafts like ceramics, painting, sculptures, illustrations, patterns surrounding us and more.”
Challenges
‘The majority of my customers are from other states. Reaching the target audience here in Nagaland as well as attracting and retaining customers who appreciate my products and are willing to pay for the value, has been a challenge,’ said the clay artist.
She also said that the resin process, which is the final step, can be really challenging and requires a lot of patience.
‘There was this one piece where I spent a lot of time painting the details. It ended up getting ruined because the resin didn’t cure properly and I had no option but to start the process all over again,’ she shared
On pricing of her products, she said that she takes several factors into account like the material costs, time, effort and packing costs. “While I try to set prices that reflect the value of my products, I also stay mindful to make it affordable and accessible,” she added.
Fulfilling journey
‘Once a customer requested a customised keychain in the shape of an angel with her name engraved on it. She shared that her mother was going through chemotherapy and she couldn’t be there physically with her mother during the treatments. So, she came up with this beautiful idea to give her mother the angel keychain as a symbol of strength and comfort. To be part of such a thoughtful and meaningful gift was truly an honour,’ shared Longchar, whose customers are mostly from places like Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Karnataka.
“This custom order sets as a reminder that art can be so much more than just an object. It can carry emotions, memories and love. It is moments like these that make my artistic journey even more fulfilling,” she added.
The most rewarding aspect, she said, is when her creations bring joy to others. This is ‘incredibly fulfilling and motivates me to continue creating,’ she said.
Cat out of the bag
The clay artist said that most customers want customised items related to pets -- ‘keychains, pins, magnets or figurines of their beloved pets.’
‘Out of all the orders I have worked on, I must admit that I enjoy making cat-related items the most. Being a cat lover myself, working on cat themed custom orders is always a delight for me,’ she said.
Expressing her desire to bring in new ideas and keep improving, she said: “I would really like to try my hands on ceramics and discover new artistic possibilities.”
‘There is a whole bunch of tutorials online that would help you get started. Get your hands dirty, let your creativity flow and enjoy the process,’ she said.
