What do you do with the toys your child no longer plays with? For Poonam Shah, the answer wasn’t storage or donation. Instead, she turned them into beautiful, functional furniture — and launched a growing resin art business from her studio in Andheri West, Mumbai.
Poonam, a 37-year-old mother and former finance professional, now creates custom resin art furniture that preserves a child’s cherished memories while promoting sustainability.
From Finance to Fine Art
- Poonam studied finance and worked at Deloitte after completing her master’s in the UK.
- She later moved to Philadelphia, where she discovered resin art — a craft that would change her life.
- Inspired by art shows and hands-on workshops, she started learning the medium.
- In 2020, just before the pandemic, she returned to India and committed full-time to resin art.
“Back then, few saw art as a profession. That mindset is finally changing,” she says.
How Her Daughter Sparked a Business Idea
The turning point came through her daughter Ayana, who once asked if Poonam could make something out of her outgrown toys.
What started as a resin slab embedded with puzzle pieces and dolls eventually turned into a rocking chair — now one of Poonam’s best-selling pieces.
That first project evolved into a children’s furniture line, launched in 2023. It features:
- Chairs
- Tables
- Lamps
- Custom home accents
Each item is made using a child’s old toys, crayons, blocks, or erasers, encased in resin for long-lasting preservation.
A Personalised, Client-Driven Process
Every resin piece is custom-built to suit the client’s design and sentiment:
- Clients send toys and ideas.
- Poonam discusses the layout, size, and color scheme.
- Toys are arranged in wooden or silicone moulds.
- A clear resin layer is poured over the setup.
- Once set, the piece is sanded, polished, and assembled with legs, supports, or fixtures.
The production process can take up to a month, depending on the complexity.
“Each piece holds a memory — not just of the toy, but of a phase in a child’s life.”
Kids Love It — So Do the Parents
The idea resonates with families who want to preserve their children’s milestones.
A client from Mumbai shared how her grandson was overjoyed seeing his old toy cars embedded in a table. It became more than just furniture — it became a piece of his childhood, immortalized.
One project even featured frozen candy sealed in resin, creating a vibrant and playful look.
A Growing Business Built on Passion
- Poonam launched Poonam Shah Art as a full-time brand in 2023.
- She runs a small team of 7 to 10 members, helping with sanding, moulding, and packaging.
- Orders come from Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune, and even Assam.
- Most kids’ line buyers are parents, while she also partners with architects and interior designers.
- Resin, hardeners, and moulds are sourced from local vendors.
- Deliveries are handled by both packers and movers for larger items and private courier services for smaller ones.
Her presence on Instagram plays a key role in attracting customers and showcasing her latest creations.
Balancing Business and Motherhood
Managing a growing brand while raising a child is no easy task. Poonam’s early days involved late-night crafting sessions after her daughter went to sleep. Now, with a team in place, she focuses more on design and customisation.
“I’m proud of how far I’ve come. Each piece I create is an opportunity to grow as an artist and a mother.”