One day as I was scrolling through Instagram, I came across these gorgeous macramé handbags from an account called ‘Oi Oi Patio’. Still in awe, I was even more amazed to find out that the creators are based out of Arunachal. Lucky for me, one of my friends knew of them, and I was able to get in touch with them.
‘Oi Oi Patio’ is the brainchild of two friends from North East India – Oyinang Taggu from Arunachal and Chubamenla Aier from Nagaland. The two friends met in nursing college, and are now working full time – and also runs this hobby project together. “With our current 9-4 working schedule, we usually spend 4-5 hours on working days and 7-8 hours on weekends on ‘Oi Oi Patio.’ Phew! I am now even more intrigued to know how they manage it all – and what is the force behind their motivation. Read on to know all the details.
Founders of ‘Oi Oi Patio’ (L-R) Oyinang Taggu from Arunachal and Chubamenla Aier from Nagaland
Founders of ‘Oi Oi Patio’ (L-R) Oyinang Taggu from Arunachal and Chubamenla Aier from Nagaland
- Menule: Hi, Oui and Chuba, please introduce yourselves to our readers.
Oui and Chuba: We are Oyinang Taggu and Chubamenla Aier from Arunachal and Nagaland respectively. We’re both based in Arunachal as of now. The two of us are B.Sc Nursing graduates, who graduated from the same college and are currently working together. We share the same love for arts and creativity – and that’s how we started our brand ‘Oi Oi Patio’ where we make and sell handmade bags using various techniques like macramé and others.
-
Menule: You guys come across as really good friends – who share similar interests and talents! How do you two manage to work together?
Oui : One is a perfectionist here and the other easy-going, so I guess you could say our personalities blend well together and our friendship is a product of that. I have been crocheting and knitting since I can remember, and she has been crocheting for years. I am teaching her how to knit these days.
Chuba: Since we love the same kind of creative arts and aesthetics, we love exploring and learning new things together. Not just work, but we also love going to cafes and watching K-dramas together.
-
Menule: Tell me more about ‘Oi Oi Patio’ and what inspired you to start this brand?
Oui and Chuba: Our page ‘Oi Oi Patio’ is a platform where we display our creations, and through this project, we hope to learn more about various creative arts. We create Macramé bags, knitted sweaters, amigurumi key chains, and raffia cardholders. The constant encouragement and support of our friends inspired us to turn our passion into a newly budding business:):)
Macramé bags by ‘Oi Oi Patio’ based out of Arunachal
-
Menule: Did you guys both know how to crochet? Or one of you had to learn from the other?
Chuba: Oyinang has been crocheting from a young age, and is teaching me the art of knitting currently!
Oui: I have been crocheting and knitting since I can remember, so with time I could better my skills. I believe we can all acquire these skills if we have the patience for them. I am also excited to teach Chuba how to Knit! She’s so talented and a fast learner at that too.
-
Menule: What new skill(s) would you like to learn?
Oui and Chuba: Honestly, we’d love to learn so much… from simple crochet/knitting patterns to higher technical stuff; anything that would add that little touch of personalization to our brand ‘Oi Oi Patio.’
Knitted Vest by ‘Oi Oi Patio’
-
Menule: Both of you work full time. How many hours in a day do you invest in ‘Oi Oi Patio’? What do you like doing during your free time?
Oui and Chuba: With our current 9-4 working schedule, we usually spend 4-5 hours on working days and 7-8 hours on weekends on ‘Oi Oi Patio.’ During our free time, we like crocheting/ Knitting/watching anime, watch K-dramas, visit our favorite cafes, etc.. basically, relax and spend quality time doing the things we both enjoy:)
-
Menule: Running a budding venture while also working full-time can be tough. What is the biggest challenge faced by you guys?
Oui and Chuba: Like any beginner entrepreneur, we have to make many adjustments. Yes, time is very limited for us since we both have a full-time job, but we try our best to make use of the free time we get and to nurture our skills.
Despite the time crunch and the many challenges that come with it, we must admit that the whole rush gives you a thrill. To have someone anxiously waiting for your products is a feeling we can’t describe in words. It feels exciting to be running around between lunch break hours, trying to send the parcels we have packed the night before.
Mini Macramé Purse by ‘Oi Oi Patio’ based out of Arunachal
-
Menule: Tell me what your personal favorites from your own creations?
Chuba: Macramé bag is our current favorite! It is a recently discovered love of ours.
Oyinang: I am constantly learning a new skill while experimenting with new patterns on what I already know. So when we came across macramé, it was pure joy! I can create a macramé bag in the shortest time compared to the time it takes to create a crochet bag. So macramé bags are my current favorite at the moment.
Macramé bags by ‘Oi Oi Patio’ based out of Arunachal
-
Menule: Do you guys play music for inspiration? What’s on your playlist?
Oui and Chuba: We have been listening to a lot of piano pieces. It keeps us calm and happy!
-
Menule: Thanks for the lovely chat. Before you leave, tell us about your goals for 2021.
Oui and Chuba: Our goal for 2021 is to nurture the same kind of enthusiasm and motivation that we have currently. We have so much planned for the future! But we want to create everything with not just the intention of it making a great sale but with the main focus on how much we love creating and investing time in our product.
We are planning on coming up with our own brand character stickers and accessories that we will design ourselves, representing our brand. We also want to start selling some macramé DIY kits with printed manuals. We are also planning to bring more knitted vest patterns, embroidered wall hangings, crochet bags, and beadworks as well. Also macramé wall hangings and Tapestry work.
Follow Oi Oi Patio on Instagram. For inquiries, get in touch HERE!
Macramé bags by ‘Oi Oi Patio’ based out of Arunachal
- Meet the Shimray Brothers Making Woodwork Trendy Again: A Chat with Mawon Woodworks of Nagaland - August 22, 2024
- Creator of ‘Soulspeaksbloom’ Nagaland – Vikhozonu Natso,Explains Why She’s Reviving the Art of Handcrafted Flowers - December 4, 2021
- These Handmade Soaps by an ‘Amateur Soaper’ Will Melt Your Hearts! Meet the Creator Viphrünü Noswe from Nagaland - October 31, 2021