Editorial Pick
Francis’s Bottle Craft: Miniature Homes in Glasses
Current Updates | Editorial Pick | Editorial team | 13-Jun-2025
The Miniature Artist of Sikkim
In a quiet corner of Sikkim’s Lingzey, Gairigaon, an artist has been creating entire worlds inside bottles—one intricate house at a time. Meet Mr Francis Rai, the man behind Francis Bottle Crafts, whose passion for miniature architecture has turned into both an artistic pursuit and a source of livelihood. Francis Rai began his journey back in 1996, when he first stumbled upon the concept of building houses inside bottles. What started as a hobby quickly became a deeply engaging form of art. "I found it interesting and fun," he says, on being asked by NECARF Review. Much of his early learning came through observation—particularly from late Albert Rai (Deepak Rai), a local artist whose work inspired Francis immensely.
A Craft of Imagination and Precision
Francis doesn’t follow blueprints. Each piece begins with imagination. Sometimes, the final product looks just as envisioned; other times, the creative process leads to changes along the way. Working on it during his spare time, Francis spends anywhere from 20 days to over a month on a single piece—depending on the bottle’s size and his material readiness. If he has already sourced and prepared his materials, he can complete smaller bottles in about a week. What makes his work unique is that he crafts many of his materials himself. He procures most of his materials locally, but he purchases small items like glue, colour, and wood polish from stores. He then shapes the bamboo, wood and rocks himself over an open fire and assembles the components with meticulous care, while the painting and detailing are all done by hand, a method that speaks of his dedication and resourcefulness. He uses custom-made tweezers in three different sizes to carefully place structures inside the bottles. He finishes his creations using fabric colors and wood polish, giving each model a warm, authentic look. He uses clear glass bottles ranging from 100ml to 750ml capacity to house his miniatures.
Miniatures That Tell a Story
Francis mostly builds miniature houses, boats, temples, bridges, and custom-designed homes inside the bottles. Looking ahead, he plans to create miniatures of iconic and traditional Sikkimese structures, such as Lepcha and Rai houses, traditional temples and so on. The state government in Pakyong recently hosted Sikkim Design Week to showcase his work in May 2025. Subsequently, the state government invited him to showcase his art at the Sikkim Design Week in Gangtok. That exhibit was a huge success, as he received positive reviews and sold 9 out of 11 pieces of his craft. His larger works fetched him around Rs. 4500, while the smaller ones were sold for Rs1500 a piece.
From Sikkim to Social Media
While Francis Rai continues to gain recognition locally, his work has also travelled beyond Sikkim to homes in Odisha and Kolkata. Events like Sikkim Design Week, hosted by the state government and organised by the Department of Commerce and Industry, have played a vital role in giving artists like Mr. Francis a platform. Marketing online, however, remains a challenge. Though he sells his work on social media, he’s yet to find a strong foothold in e-commerce. Despite this, the support he receives is financially enabling and motivates his artistic hunger. Francis has no immediate plans to open a shop, citing a lack of skilled collaborators. However, he’s passionate about teaching others. Through his Facebook page—Francis Bottle Crafts—he shares tutorials, hoping to pass on his knowledge to anyone eager to learn the art.
A Labor of Love
His journey is a testament to how creativity, patience, and persistence can breathe life into something as simple as a glass bottle. In each tiny house he builds, he preserves a sense of culture, imagination, and a heartfelt dedication to his craft. He says those interested in learning his art, or be a part of his artistic mission may follow him on https://www.facebook.com/share/1ByatzeFqo/
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