Final Hathphul

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

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

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

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

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

Arsi

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...

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.

...Full blown blossoms

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.

Display Two

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

Flower necklace

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.

Flower bangle

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.

Display One

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.

Green

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

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!

Where am I heading?

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

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

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

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

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

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?