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?

Design Ideas

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

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

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

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

(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

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.