indian chick

Final Hathphul

2010-11-29T04:13:00.001-08:00

This is the final piece for my B Tech exhibition. Ive used the motifs which I've used for my previous hathphuls as a combination to create these flower elements. Really glad with the way it has turned out.

Piercing

2010-11-18T12:06:00.001-08:00

Just finished with the piercing for my hathphul...what a relief! I decided to use peridots, smokey quarts and citrine in this piece...I'm loving the colours.

Hathphul

2010-11-18T11:53:00.000-08:00

Ive been working towards making a hathphul which is similar to the traditional version...the ring and bracelet attached to each other by a medallion and chains. Ive used elements from my previous pieces to come up with this design.

Lotus

2010-11-14T08:24:00.000-08:00

This is my lotus hathphul. The pattern was derived from the rice grain element which is used in traditional Indian jewellery and the form is inspired by a lotus flower. Haven't set the stone yet, but I'm probably setting a garnet in this one.

Mystic hathphul

2010-11-14T08:19:00.000-08:00

This is my latest hathphul...really happy with the way it turned out. What do you think?

Arsi

2010-11-07T10:56:00.000-08:00

I got my arsi bright cut as well...this is my favourite. This ring has more surface area which caused the pattern to be more visible. Love it!

All that glitters...

2010-11-07T10:31:00.000-08:00

Even though i am really happy with my Hathphuls, i decided to get them bright-cut. I felt as though they lacked something and bright cutting seem like the way to go...

Bright-cut refers to a decorative engraving technique used on metal objects. The decorative designs are created by making a series of short cuts into the metal, using a polished engraving tool that causes the exposed surfaces to reflect light and give an impression of brightness.

I'm quite happy with the result, feels as if my hathphuls have matured.

“My mystic phul”

2010-10-19T12:06:00.000-07:00

Got this really beautiful mystic topaz which I intend to use for my next piece...love the fact that it reflects warm colours...fits in perfectly with my “Indian theme”

...Full blown blossoms

2010-10-19T11:55:00.000-07:00

I’ve used elements found in traditional bridal jewellery to create these Hathphuls. The "smokey quartz phul" was inspired by the leaf from a Banyan tree and the "my peridot phul" was inspired by the Tamil Aum sign.

Hathphul

2010-10-19T11:47:00.001-07:00

This is a picture of my cousins Hathphul which she wore at her wedding in Sept 2010.

The word “Hathphul” translates directly to “Flower for the Hand” this specific ornament is worn by an Indian bride for the purpose of adornment. “the ornament literally bridges the gap between bracelet and finger rings with delicate gold chains” (Krishnan- 1999).

My intention is to use the idea of the Hathphul to create my own range of “flowers for the hand”.

Hathphul

2010-10-19T11:47:00.000-07:00

My intention is to use the idea of the Hathphul to create my own range of “flowers for the hand”.

Display Two

2010-07-09T12:27:00.000-07:00

This is what my 2ND display looks like(KZNSA)...What do you think?

Flower necklace

2010-07-09T12:21:00.000-07:00

My Neck piece turned out pretty well, I think it looks very fresh, something that I haven't done before. ..I've added some colour to the flowers, just like I did with my flower bangle.

Design Ideas

2010-07-09T12:19:00.001-07:00

For the next two weeks at the KZNSA, I want to display my flower bangle...So I designed a piece to go with it. This is the sketch of the neck piece that I plan to make.

Flower bangle

2010-07-09T12:16:00.000-07:00

I finally added some colour to a piece of my jewellery...I'm happy with the result. Decided to stick to the “Indian colours”...orange and red.

Exhibition poster

2010-07-09T12:12:00.000-07:00

I'm so excited about the poster for the exhibition which is displayed at the KZNSA gallery...A picture of my pierced earring was used. It looks really great!
What do you think?

Display One

2010-07-09T12:09:00.001-07:00

I decided to use existing pieces of jewellery for my first two weeks at the KZNSA Gallery. As a group, the B Tech students decided to add an A5 sheet of paper which has the details of the piece of jewellery as well as that of the designer to the display...this added a common link to the entire exhibition.

My Display

2010-07-09T11:54:00.000-07:00

I decided to use existing pieces of jewelleryfor my first two weeks at the KZNSA Gallery. As a group, the B Tech students decided to add an A5 sheet of paper which has the details of the piece of jewellery as well as that of the designer to the display...this added a common link to the entire exibition.

KZNSA

2010-07-09T11:50:00.000-07:00

During our break 4 month break, the Jewellery design B Tech students were given a chance to exhibit our work at the KZNSA Gallery. The intention is for us to keep busy instead of going into complete hibernation. We are expected to update our displays every two weeks or so...
This is an article from a Sunday newspaper magazine (Sunday Tribune,13 June 2010) that shed some light on the intention of the exhibition.

Ceramics

2010-06-08T16:43:00.000-07:00

With the closure of City Campus came much stress for the B Tech students. We were forced to move our fort to the ML Sultan campus...Yes, it is horrible. But on the bright side we have half a workshop.

I've been trying my hand at pottery, for a beginner like me the results were very pleasing. I made a vase which I intend using as a buff stick holder and I made a flower pot...think I might plant a chili tree.

Local is Lekker

2010-06-08T16:37:00.000-07:00

“Local is Lekker” is the theme of an Exhibition which took place at Artisan...At 1st when I thought of local , it sort of scared me because I thought local meant using found objects or making a beaded piece of jewellery...A friend reminded me that I live in Durban and anything that I make is local an will fit in with the theme of the exhibition. So I didn't have to move too far out of my comfort zone.

After some thought I decided to expand on my Mirror range for this exhibition, the brief called for neck pieces and earring. I ended up making simplified versions of my mirror ring as pendants...they didn't sell yet but I'm holding thumbs...

Ways of adding colour...

2010-06-08T16:31:00.000-07:00

Been trying to find ways of adding colour to my jewellery but I wasn't sure how to do it. After consulting with Terry Hargeaves, he suggested that I try using an epoxy with pigment to my jewellery. It works like a resin.

I decided to try this after I saw a test piece that Terry showed to me, I was very impressed with the result, think it would compliment my jewellery. The colours that I tried were more on the warm side as wanted to stick with colours that resembled Mendhi. The great part of the epoxy is that I can work from home which makes life easier.

Green

2010-06-08T16:26:00.000-07:00

Fashion Bangle

I'm was actually meant to be working on a piece that falls under the theme of “Green”. When I thought of green though recycling and sustainability came to mind.
So for this project I decided to use elements that I already had to create a piece of jewellery instead of casting new elements.

I decided to make a bangle seeing as bangles play a part in the adornment of Indian brides. Traditionally bangles were used by married women. They were a symbol of marriage and were also believed to be protective bands that ensured the protection of the husband. When a Hindu woman became a widow, her bangles were broken because widows were not meant to adorn their bodies.

My Bangle ended up being a very bold piece, comes across as a contemporary piece. I relates to whats happening in the fashion magazines with regards to accessories.

Vetkat

2010-06-08T16:17:00.000-07:00

Tree Earrings

The piercing of the tree om my earring was something that stuck with me, reminds me of a family tree. For these earrings I decided with that tree element for another piece that I will send to the Exhibition.

I pierced out the tree element again but this time I used the positive instead of the negative. I used diamond burs to texture the back of these trees and I soldered copper wire onto these silver elements. My intention was to add some contrast to the piece..the result was very positive. The best part was that they sold at the exhibition and I made my 1st sale!

Vetkat

2010-06-08T16:11:00.000-07:00

Pierced Ring
The Vetkat exhibition was held in order to raise funds for the family of an artist who died recently. This task was a bit difficult for me as it took me out of my comfort zone. I had to design and manufacture jewellery based on references that was given to me instead of going out and finding my own.

I still felt like I needed to incorporate piercing in my piece, my first idea was designing plain bands that had an element pierced out of it. The element that I chose was that of a tree...The ring ended up being simple and comfortable to wear. It turned out being something that I wouldn't normally make.

I am really happy with the result but I feel guilty because I ended up keeping the ring for myself, I kind of got attached to it...feels like it belongs on my finger.

Where am I heading?

2010-05-27T14:36:00.000-07:00

trying to move away from the flatness of these elements...

Although my topic hasn't changed for my B Tech, my Aim or Vision has changed. I want to create pieces of jewellery that can be classified as Contemporary Indian jewellery...Created for the modern Indian woman.

Ive been using piercing as my main technique but my pieces have proved to be very flat, I want to try layering elements so that more dimension is created. My next step is to also try combining the piercing technique with another technique which i am very fond off. Wax pressing...this is a technique that Ive tried before and i was very pleased with the results, it really worked well for me. I want to combine the cleanness of piercing with the almost messy, organic look of wax pressing...have a feeling that they will compliment each other.

I feel that with regards to my intentions, I have grown a lot and made much improvement with figuring out and defining what i would like to achieve.

My aim now is to work towards creating a contemporary set of Indian Bridal Jewellery which, when worn, can be identified as a set of Indian Bridal Jewellery but if worn individually, can be recognised as Contemporary pieces inspired by traditional Indian Jewellery

Beginning Stages

2010-05-27T14:05:00.000-07:00

This is some of the jewellery that i made at the beginning of last year...

We are almost reaching the half way mark of the year...The pressure is on B techs! Time to some-up whats been happening so far and what progress has been made with regards to my B Tech.

A week ago we(The B techs) were given a "Crit Session" by a group of our lecturers from our department. I feel that it was very beneficial because it got me thinking about what has been happening over the past few months, I was also forced to explain or rather think about and explain to my lecturers...Where I started, What changes have been made? and how have i been trying to improve?

At the beginning of my B tech, I was really focused on the Idea of "Traditional Indian Bridal Jewellery." My intention was to look at traditional pieces and somehow recreate them but at the same time creating unique elements...I felt that by sticking to traditional designs, it would be impossible for me to lose the essence of Indian jewellery in my own work.

Reflections

2010-03-30T15:41:00.000-07:00

Finally my Fashion piece is Complete!!! Really pleased with the way it turned out...this piece has given me so many ideas for the next pierced piece.

I was considering gold plating, not so sure anymore...What do you think?

Feel as though these earrings turned out exactly how I wanted theme to be - a combination of a Fashion piece and My BTech theme(Indian Bridal Jewellery)...bold and intricate at the same time!

Work In Progress

2010-03-30T15:35:00.000-07:00

My Earrings are coming together really well, decided to use Shepard hooks instead of posts, not just because I prefer them but also because Shepard hooks suit the length of my earrings.

Embossing

2010-03-30T15:28:00.000-07:00

I wanted to try another way of capturing the intricasy of my pierced elements other than drawing them...so I tried embossing them. It actually turned out really well. I think it could be a very useful technique when it comes to packaging and labeling my jewellery...

Piercing

2010-03-30T15:23:00.001-07:00

These are the henna elements that I pierced out for my earrings. I'm really happy with the way that the turned out...What do you think?

Design Ideas

2010-03-30T15:17:00.000-07:00

These are some of my design ideas and henna patterns that i intend using for my fashion piece...I'm trying to create something that's both bold and Intricate.

Earrings from the Old Days

2010-03-30T15:01:00.000-07:00

Bale Jabbedar - North India, late 19th century, Gold enamelled earrings set with diamonds.

Karnaphul Jhumka - South India, late 19th- 20th century

Nagavadura - Tamil Nadu, Vellore; c.1880 - Stylised gold cobras

These are some egs. of Ear Ornaments that were used by Indian women in the old days.

(Indian Jewellery, Dance of the Peacock)

Suryakanthi Kathola

2010-03-30T14:51:00.000-07:00

I think it is so amazing how different cultures had their own beliefs and how they found ways of incorporating their beliefs in the jewellery that they wore.

I found this really cool earring that is called Suryakanthi Kathola(sunflower earrings). These enormous gold solar symbols were worn suspended over the ears, they were intended to harness the power energies of the sun.

Indian Jewellery, Dance of the peacock,pg168.

Background

2010-03-30T14:37:00.000-07:00

According to Krishnan (Indian Jewellery - Dance of The Peacock,pg168), Early sculptures demonstrate that ear ornaments were an important constituent of Indian Female Attire.

Symbolism
To a married woman, the ear ornament is auspicious, Bare earlobes signified widowhood.
Additionally a woman's wealth was conspicuously visible and the ear ornament became a statement of her status and power. Elongated earlobes were considered a sign of beauty and wealth. It was believed that the longer the earlobe , the greater the woman's wealth.

Earrings

2010-03-30T14:30:00.000-07:00

(Traditional Jewellery of India - Oppi Untracht, pg.16)

Ive decided to incorporate the fashion theme into what I'm doing already which is working with Indian Bridal Jewellery.

I haven't made earrings on a while so i thought, why not for this project...Earrings play a role in the adornment of an Indian bride as you can see in this picture.

Background

2010-03-30T13:47:00.000-07:00

Ive decided to work with earrings for my fashion piece...id like to incorporate this fashion theme with what i am doing already which is focusing on Indian Bridal Jewellery.

Fashion

2010-03-30T13:29:00.000-07:00

The project that I am working on right now falls under the theme of "Fashion." In order to do this I first had to look at my recent copies of Glamour Magazine so that i could find some sort of common thread with the jewellery that people are wearing.

These pictures show pages from my journal where i created a story board effect that gave me an understanding as to "what's happening" in the fashion world!

What i noticed i from paging through magazines and speaking to other jewellery students is that most people are wearing fewer pieces of jewellery, but the jewellery that's being worn, be it earrings/neck pieces/rings etc, have become very bold, almost as if people are wearing statement pieces.

Shining Lights

2010-02-28T04:13:00.000-08:00

This is my design for the De Beers Shining Lights competition. The theme this year is Enduring Bonds. My design idea came from looking at a lotus flower and the idea of something so beautiful emerging from muddy waters.

Arsi

2010-02-28T02:06:00.000-08:00

Here i was thinking that not many people use mirrors in there jewellery...Mirror Rings have been used for over 300 years. They were originally worn by Muslim women but over the years they have been accepted by the Hindu women. They are called Arsi in Northern India.

One of the most richest periods of the development of traditional jewellery in India took place during the Mughal Dynasty(16th-19th century). Niccolao Manucci, a Venetian traveler who spent 60 years India, was lucky enough to be allowed into the private quarters of the mughal courts...he was a part time physician and soldier so he was allowed into the women's courts as well.

In his records he wrote" I have not relied on the knowledge of others;and i have not spoken of nothing which i have not seen." He gives a vivid description of court women's jewellery, "On fingers there are rings, and on the right thumb there is always a ring,where, in place of a stone, there is mounted a little mirror,having pearls around it. This mirror they use to look at themselves,an act which they are very fond, at any and every moment"

I'm not upset anymore...I'm actually glad it existed way before i was born and in a way i am continuing with something that is part of the history of Indian jewellery.

Reference: Traditional Jewellery Of India- Oppi Untracht

Splash Page

2010-02-27T16:35:00.000-08:00

What do you think of my splash page? I tried to keep it as simple as possible!

cloudy days

2010-02-27T16:18:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was such a beautiful day...The sun didn't show up so it was a perfect day to experiment with the camera. Cloudy days are great for taking pictures of jewellery. I was trying to take pictures of my ring on a mirror using the effects on my camera...i quite like these pics....if it wasn't for the rain, I'm sure i would have got the perfect shot!

I used a mirror and the clouds as my background...trying to create some sort of context for this reflective piece.

design ideas

2010-02-27T16:07:00.000-08:00

These are some of my design ideas...This happens before i start manufacturing my ring of course!

I wish making jewellery was as easy as drawing and coming up with designs. Drawing is my way of thinking and visualising how a design is going to work technically. I often come across a few bumps in my manufacturing process because my imagination goes beyond my technical capabilities!

reflections

2010-02-27T15:54:00.000-08:00

I've become so comfortable with keeping a journal that i often just end up blogging about the final piece and forget about the process that it took to get to that final stage.

Getting back to my mirror ring...I'm still playing with the notion of the reflection of the wearer being the value of the piece.

Mirror Ring

2010-02-15T05:02:00.000-08:00

Ive been trying to put this ring together and finally i feel like I'm getting somewhere...i think Ive come to a stage where i cant finish a piece of jewellery just for the sake of having a completed piece...it has to look like everything is exactly where its meant to be.

Ive being trying out a few shanks today and I'm fairly happy with this leaf shank, feels as though it belongs there....

2010-02-15T04:52:00.000-08:00

Reflections

2010-02-11T03:53:00.000-08:00

This is a project that I am working on...trying to create a piece of jewellery that still involves piercing but also incorporates another material.

I 've never really been interested in working with precious stones...so recently I have been working with the idea of setting mirrors in my jewellery. The idea started when I took a look at Indian jewellery and realised that Kruger coins are very often used and this adds to the value of the piece. I decided to replace the coin with mirror because the reflection that you would see when you look at it is your own...in a way trying to make the wearer see the value in themselves.

My Intentions

2010-02-02T01:32:00.000-08:00

I want to create a set of bridal jewellery based on traditional indian bridal jewellery. My intention is to hire out the set for weddings. Ive been using henna patterns(mehndi) as a reference to my work so far...But i recently rediscovered this bracelet which was given to me about ten years ago by my gran, its a piece from a bridal set with belonged to my great granmother.. my mission now is to gather the other pieces from the set and try use them as a reference for my own work. The aspects that i will probably use is the techniques such as piercing and chasing, i going to try to find out if the motif is symbolic...it could be an aspect that use in my work as well.

Family

2009-08-12T02:25:00.000-07:00

Hindu Weddings are really colourful...I love that, being born into such a rich culture is really a blessing. I love being around my family...gives me a sense of belonging...

Wedding Day

2009-08-12T02:12:00.000-07:00

These are some pics of the wedding...She looked so beautiful.

Haldi

2009-08-12T01:53:00.000-07:00

The Haldi ceremony is a cleansing ceremony that normally takes place the day before the wedding. Turmeric powder(Haldi) is mixed with traditional oils to form a paste, the paste is then applied on the body of the bride by female relatives.

This is my cousin Natasha and I, You can see the Haldi on her skin. The haldi is meant to cleanse her body, It is washed of the next morning which will be the morning of her wedding.

Mehendi ceremony

2009-08-12T01:09:00.000-07:00

My research report is going to be based on Hindu weddings and Mehendi. I went for my cousins wedding a few weeks ago, thankfully it was a traditional Hindu wedding so i manged to get pictures and information that should help me with my report.

Hindu weddings normally take place over 4 days, This is the mehendi ceremony, usually takes place on the Thursday. The mehendi night is a gathering of the bride and the women of the family as well as female friends, traditional music is played and mehendi is applied on the brides hands and feet. The elders of the family speak to the bride about marriage and give her advice about how she should act as a married women.The patterns that are drawn on the hands and feet mostly consist of flowers...Flowers are very important in Hinduism, they are used as offerings to God.

2009-08-12T00:30:00.000-07:00

This year has been really difficult for me...I'm trying to put together the 1st draft of my B tech research report. Its not as easy as i thought it would be!

Its really difficult to get work done when there isn't anyone around to motivate you and believe in you. The 1st half of 4th year for me hasn't been very productive. Ive been trying my best but it just isn't good enough, I know what I'm capable off and I've just been feeling like I'm not giving it my all this year.

I never knew how important it is to have someone that believes in you...my boyfriend said that to me yesterday...and even though he isn't around me all the time, it just helps to know that he does!

2009-08-03T03:33:00.000-07:00

Madness

2009-08-03T03:18:00.000-07:00

Ive been trying to capture the intricacy of Indian Henna Design in my work...Ive found that piercing works best for me. This is a henna element that Ive pierced out of copper...I'm really proud if this piece considering it took two weeks.

Picture Perfect

2009-05-12T02:03:00.000-07:00

This is a picture of a piece of jewellery that i made last year...I'm really excited about how perfect this picture looks...What do you think?

My Flavour

2009-05-11T00:56:00.000-07:00

Mmmm....If my flavour had to be described in a picture, This is exactly what it would look like! Whats your FLAVOUR?

Kangans

2009-04-30T05:15:00.000-07:00

This is a prototype of a bangle/Kangan that i am working on. I am trying to capture the intricacy of Indian jewellery without using the Indian traditional manufacturing techniques such as granulation. Im trying to focus more on casting and piercing elements which are derived from henna patterns.

Displaying

2009-03-26T03:36:00.000-07:00

How would you display your jewellery?
Thinking of ways to display jewellery can be difficult. My jewellery has a very organic style so when displaying, I'd like to keep it simple so that the jewellery is the main focus. I think that it is very important for your display to relate to your jewellery, It should add to the message that you you are trying to send across to the viewer.

Henna Jewellery

2009-03-26T03:26:00.000-07:00

This is a piece of jewellery that i have been working on...I think it is beautiful!

Design

2009-03-16T03:49:00.000-07:00

Just one of my sketches.

Mehendi

2009-03-16T03:34:00.000-07:00

source: http//www.bandphotography.com

My jewellery is inspired mehendi patterns...mehendi is used for adornment purposes on Indian Brides.

Bridal Mehendi

2009-03-16T02:39:00.000-07:00

source: http//www.fatmamehendi.com/images/services.jpg

Emotional

2009-03-03T02:15:00.000-08:00

My flower pod ring, inspired by spring and all the happy emotions that come with it.

Butterflies

2009-03-03T02:01:00.000-08:00

This is the piece of jewellery that inspired my collection for the diploma show.

Amuletic

2009-03-03T01:44:00.000-08:00

M y Pierced Bangle(Filled with resin)... Inspired by Henna Designs.

In my religion(Hinduism), It is believed that Bangles should be worn on the wrist of married women to ensure the well-being of their husbands. It is considered to be a protective band.

Found Object

2009-03-03T01:26:00.000-08:00

The last few weeks of 2008 were dedicated to My Personal Project. As a jewellery design student, i was meant to find myself and the style of jewellery that i wanted to make and display at the end of the year. We were given a list of themes to work under eg. Emotional jewellery, Magical jewellery etc.
This shell ring was created under the theme of "Found Objects"