The outlet, which specializes in bamboo products, is now eight years old.[break] However, these aren’t the conventional furniture you find along the roads in Kupondole, Lalitpur. From bamboo mugs and trays to wall decorations and star-shaped clocks, Miracle Bamboo Craft has a range of creative designs that could go well with any kind of décor.
“It actually started out as a hobby around 1993. I went on to open a factory realizing the potential of the products,” shares Rohini Rana, the proprietor of the outlet. On the shelves, in and around the store are penholders, candle stands, tea coasters, photo frames, bamboo root sculptures, mirrors, lamps and all kinds of stuffs. The floor is cluttered with baskets of different sizes and styles.
When Rana started out, there were hardly any bamboo stores in the city, she says. Her factory, unfortunately, shut down recently due to lack of work force in the field.
“With demand of high wages and many people going abroad, I couldn’t afford to keep the factory running, and therefore, people work on contract basis these days,” laments Rana, who is also the Executive Director of Rose-Nepal, which promotes bamboo-based activities and conducts trainings.
Nonetheless, Rana has a cheery disposition. She goes on, “There are four different kinds of bamboos available in Kathmandu, and we make products accordingly.” They are tama, taru, nigalo, and dhanu. The most durable is taru, the bamboo used for scaffolding purposes.
“The outlet mostly carries small items due to lack of space. We take orders from offices, restaurants and homes if they need bigger-sized items,” she explains. Albeit small, the products of Miracle Bamboo Craft carry fine details.
For instance, the cups have interesting patterns on them, and even the weave of the handle has been paid attention to. The candle stands are not just shafts of bamboo, but have been put together from several pieces. Bamboo-root sculptures from Jhapa are also among the interesting products at the store.
Moreover, their prices, too, are reasonable, with most of them priced below Rs 1,000. Photo frames, a popular gift item, are between Rs 200 and Rs 800. Wall clocks range from Rs 525 to Rs 2,000. Only custom-made larger pieces will go above Rs 5,000.
Aesthetics and affordable prices aside, bamboo is a natural and sturdy raw material with a lifespan of nearly two decades.
“You can re-varnish the bamboo if it’s too old,” advises Rana who also suggests to keep them away from damp places because many of them have been glued together.
“But of course, you can drink water and even tea from the cups because they don’t have glue,” puts in the resident of Kirtipur.
On the occasion of Dashain, Mircale Bamboo Craft is currently giving a 25% discount on purchases above Rs 500.
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