From Forgotten Toys to Functional Art: How Poonam Shah is Giving Childhood Memories a Second Life
“Art is not just about creating something beautiful — it’s about breathing life into the forgotten, the discarded, and the overlooked.” That’s the philosophy Mumbai-based artist Poonam Shah (37) lives by. In a quiet corner of her studio, she’s doing something extraordinary: transforming outgrown children’s toys into stunning resin furniture that holds not just form, but feeling.
Her journey, like her art, is deeply layered — a story of shifting continents, career changes, and the magic of rediscovering childhood through creativity.
The First Spark: From Finance to Fluid Art
Born and raised in Mumbai, Poonam followed a traditional career path at first. With a master’s degree in finance from the UK and a job at Deloitte, her future seemed all mapped out. But a move to Philadelphia changed everything. There, she stumbled upon resin art for the first time — a medium so dynamic and visceral, she felt an immediate pull.
“It was like discovering an entire universe I didn’t know existed,” she recalls. Though art had always run in her veins — thanks to her mother’s creative influence — it had remained a hobby. Until now.
Workshops, art galleries, and hours of observing resin works later, she was hooked. But it wasn’t until she returned to India, just before the pandemic, that she made a bold decision: to leave the world of finance behind and embrace her creative calling full-time.
The Turning Point: A Daughter’s Innocent Question
The game-changer came not from a client or a business plan, but from her daughter Ayana. One day, the seven-year-old looked up at her and asked, “Can you make something out of my old toys?” That single question sparked an idea that would define Poonam’s new creative direction.
She began experimenting — encasing Ayana’s broken crayons, puzzle pieces, and toy blocks in resin slabs. One slab sat idle in her studio for weeks, until inspiration struck again: why not turn it into a rocking chair for Ayana?
“That first chair became the soul of a whole new venture — my kids’ line,” says Poonam. “It wasn’t just furniture. It was memory made tangible.”
Furniture That Tells a Story
Poonam now creates custom resin furniture — tables, lamps, and chairs — that serve as keepsakes of childhood. Clients send her their children’s toys, and she transforms them into breathtaking pieces that are equal parts art and nostalgia.
Each project starts with a design consultation where Poonam understands the client’s vision. Then comes the painstaking process of creating wooden or silicone moulds, carefully arranging the toys, and layering them in resin. Once hardened, the piece is sanded, polished, and finished to perfection.
“It takes weeks, sometimes a month or more,” she says. “But when parents see their child’s joy — recognizing their toys in a brand-new avatar — it’s priceless.”
Why It Works: The Emotional Value
Her work resonates not just because it’s beautiful, but because it’s meaningful. One client from Mumbai recalls the moment her grandson saw his old toy cars embedded in a table. “His face lit up like fireworks,” she shares. “It wasn’t just furniture — it was a part of his story.”
And that’s exactly what Poonam aims for: to freeze time, preserve joy, and give old objects new life.
She especially loves working with bright, flat toys — they add vibrancy and character to each creation. “It captures the chaos and colour of childhood,” she smiles. “Every piece tells a story.”
One of her most memorable creations? A table with frozen candies embedded in resin — sweet in more ways than one. But her personal favourite will always be the first rocking chair made for Ayana. “That piece started it all,” she says. “It’s now one of my bestsellers.”
A One-Woman Movement (With a Team)
What started as a solo project is now a fast-growing brand — Poonam Shah Art — based in Andheri West, Mumbai. She officially launched the business in 2023, after three years of mastering the craft. With a team of 7–10 people handling production, she focuses on design and personalisation.
Instagram has been a game-changer. “That’s where most of my clients discover me,” she says. “It’s the perfect visual medium to showcase the process and final product.” Her client base now spans cities like Delhi, Bengaluru, Pune, Hyderabad, and even Assam — with Delhi coming second only to Mumbai in demand.
Balancing Motherhood and a Growing Business
Being a full-time artist and a full-time mum is no small feat, but Poonam has found her rhythm. “In the beginning, I worked odd hours — early mornings, late nights — when Ayana was asleep. Now, with my team, I get more time to focus on the creative process.”
She sources materials — resin, moulds, hardeners — from local vendors and collaborates with packers and movers for shipping. Smaller items go out via private courier services. Her operations may be handmade, but her reach is anything but small.
What’s Next: A Future Full of Stories
What keeps her going? The emotional weight each piece carries. “These toys meant something to someone. I get to give them a new story, a new purpose,” she says.
Poonam dreams of expanding her studio space, experimenting with newer forms and materials, and maybe even collaborating with schools and museums to introduce memory-based art into educational spaces.
“I’m not just creating furniture,” she says with a proud smile. “I’m helping families preserve a piece of their childhood. That, to me, is priceless.”
Through every curve of resin and every embedded toy, Poonam Shah is crafting more than art — she’s crafting legacy. One memory at a time.