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.

“My mystic phul”

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

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

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

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”.

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.

Design Ideas

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“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...

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

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!

Vetkat

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?

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?

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.