Handmade Jewelry Classes in Chennai at Kalpataru

A small announcement 🙂

I’m going to be teaching basic handmade jewelry classes starting this July.

Why Should I take the Class?

Most women, like matching their jewelry to their clothes and I am like that too. Earrings are my favorites because they’re so easy to switch around and are more comfortable to wear and are versatile too.What does a jewellery class have to do with that? If you buy your costume jewelry from big brand shops/malls, a pair of earrings would cost you 250Rs roughly! Imagine what a whole wardrobe full of earrings will do to your wallet!!
If you learn to make your own jewellery, you could make earrings to go with each dress and what more – you could probably sell your handmade jewellery creations too!

About Kalpataru

Kalpataru- the Hobby Center, is a hobby haven for people of all age groups to pursue various arts, crafts & life skills. The centre is located on ECR and is a treat for the eyes with its lush greenery. Toddlers, students, home makers, professionals & senior citizens are welcome to participate in a creative getaway from the hustle of daily life.

What’s in the Class?

In the basic earrings class, you will learn how to make different types of drop earrings using glass beads, metal beads, bead caps, and crystals. In the basic bracelet class, you will learn how to make a single strand beaded bracelet, a linked bead bracelet and a multi-strand beaded bracelet.
Beads will be provided for each class!

Note: I am not teaching kundan or traditional styled jewellery. The earrings and bracelets are of a contemporary style.

When are the classes?

Date(s): 9th and 16th July
Time: 10AM-12PM
Age Group: Above 15 yrs (small beads and wire should not be given to kids, so the age group restriction!)

Where is Kalpataru?

Address:
4/222, East Coast Road,
Palavakkam,
Chennai- 600 041

How can I register for the class or find out more info?

Register online at: http://www.kalpataruchennai.com/hobby_registrations/new

Email: kalpataru.chennai@gmail.com
Contact:
Seema Sanghi +91 96000 37773
Meenu Sarin +91 98845 62616

For more details, check out my page at Kalpataru: http://www.kalpataruchennai.com

Learn how to make silk jewelry

This is your opportunity to learn how to make silk jewelry – that too in namma Chennai!

Silk Thread Jewelry
Silk Thread Jewelry

DakshinaChitra is conducting a workshop on silk thread jewelry making on Saturday, June 11. At this workshop, you will learn how to make bangles, anklets and earrings.

The cost of the workshop is Rs. 650 and includes supplies. Conveyance to and from Dakshinachitra will be provided.

Note: The registration is on first come first serve basis- so you better hurry if you want a spot!

The Hindu newspaper has the article on how to Get Creative.

Where: 

Dakshinchitra Heritage Centre
East Coast Road
Muttukadu
Chennai
Workshop Fees:  

Rs 650/- per person
Contact: 

For more details call: 24462435

Etsy Faves: Honeysuckle – Pantone Color of 2011

Honeysuckle: A Color for All Seasons

What can Honeysuckle colored jewelry or accessories do for me?

 

  • Honeysuckle is a bold reddish pink that will give you a rosy glow when worn.
  • Even a little bit of honeysuckle in your accessories can be eye-popping-ly attractive especially since summer’s here.
  • Honeysuckle will go with every skin tone and can be worn as a day-time accessory or a night-time one.
  • If you need a quick mood lift, slip on some honeysuckle colored earrings or a lovely ring and your ready to take on the world!

How to wear Honeysuckle Jewelry

As Pantone’s website suggests, you can wear these pieces of jewelry with black, navy, or gray clothes. Personally, I would prefer to tone down the contrast and wear them with a charcoal or light gray outfit in winter or for a formal occasion. For casual style, you could wear these gorgeous pieces with a pale buttercup yellow summery cotton blouse/dress or with a crisp white tee and dark jeans.
Other style suggestions from the Pantone site are:

  • Complementary bronze greens like Willow PANTONE 16-0632 and/or Tapenade PANTONE 18-0840 so that it calms down the pop of honeysuckle but keeps it cool at the same time.
  • Pinkish brown like Apricot Brandy PANTONE 17-1540 for a tonal variation on the reddish pink theme.

My Etsy Picks:

This time, I’ve classified my favorites under the style they come under! I am sure you’ll find one that you like – dressy, over-the-top, everyday or plain casual- Honeysuckle is a versatile color that anyone can wear at any time.

[Just a quick note:All the pictures in this post are NOT mine. They belong to the respective Etsy shop owners featured here. Most importantly,I am not affiliated to these shops in any way!]

Bold Style

Tagua (Tah-gwa) Nuts are seeds that are sliced, dyed and polished by families in the South American rainforest. They are lightweight and all the colors used in this statement necklace by decoratethediva are gorgeous!

Tagua Necklace in PINK Colors with Free Shipping
Tagua Necklace in PINK Colors with Free Shipping by Decoratethediva

Summery

Honeysuckle GOOD LUCK ELEPHANT Leather Wrap Bracelet
Honeysuckle GOOD LUCK ELEPHANT Leather Wrap Bracelet by theluckyelephant

A bracelet that can bring you luck and look good at the same time!!
This beautiful summery bracelet uses semi precious Jade beads in honeysuckle and features a cute little silver elephant too! I am partial to elephants and apparently an elephant with its trunk raised up is considered lucky! Who knew!

Special

tenthings. lotus. honeysuckle pink. gold. earrings.
tenthings. lotus. honeysuckle pink. gold. earrings. by Tenthings

I LOVE LOVE these stunning earrings by Tenthings and I think I’m in love with all their other creations too! These beauties have dangles in Indian ruby glass surrounded by gold attached to swirly lotus ribbons in gold-perfect for a special occasion or a special day!

Everyday

Glass Prism Ring in Swirled Amber Flame
Glass Prism Ring in Swirled Amber Flame by AshleySpatula

This beeeyoootiful ring has a pyramid faceted glass cabochon that is handpainted in a shimmery swirly pattern. The colors shift from an amber tone to a deep blush pink!! I could wear this every day for the rest of my life!! It’s so beautiful!

Formal

Honeysuckle Teardrops Statement Necklace
Honeysuckle Teardrops Statement Necklace by InHonorOf

Inspired by Grace Kelly- this simple and formal necklace by InHonorOf puts together Honeysuckle Pink Faceted Teardrop beads and copper wire. (Can be made in silver or gold on request!)
Do you have a favorite color combination that includes Honeysuckle??

Seed Jewelry: Beejika by Shradhanjali

“To see things in the seed, that is genius.”
-Lao Tzu, Chinese Philosopher

The use of seeds in jewelry is nothing new I suppose.

Ancient Indians probably adorned themselves with neck pieces and earrings made with colorful seeds and I am sure most other ancient civilizations did too.

I’ve been making jewelry from 2008 but I came across modern seed jewelry only in 2009. My mother gave me a beautiful pair of seed earrings for my birthday that year. Here they are –three seeds have been used in place of beads– would you believe that the large brown one is a tamarind seed!

 

Seed Earrings by Beejika
Seed Earrings by Beejika

I wear these earrings quite often and on the last occasion, I suddenly remembered the name of the brand- Beejika- so I tracked them down on the internet and here’s all the info.

[Note: Except for the photo of my earrings, all other photos are from the Shradanjali website. I am not affiliated with them in any way and I haven’t taken those photos.]

About Beejika

Beejika – The Seed range-  is a line of jewelry handmade by the members of Shradhanjali. Shradhanjali is a 30-year old handicrafts unit (they also make handmade paper products) located in Auroville, an International Township located in Pondicherry, Tamil Nadu. What I like about this endeavor, is that they work with natural materials and employ and empower many village girls in India. Shradhanjali’s profits are routed back into its community and used for its maintenance and development.

What are Beejika’s products?

“With Beejika, Shradhanjali showcases the marvels and uniqueness of Nature, reflected in the seeds of Auroville’s trees, planted over the last 40 years. Profits from this range go towards supporting sustainable, indigenous forest plantations.” – Taken from the Auroville website.

Beejika (meaning seed) jewelry is handmade and eco-friendly because it’s made with Seeds that are varnished to make them water-resistant. Many different locally grown seeds are combined together in colorful, trendy jewelry pieces that are lightweight and beautiful.

Beejika -Jewels of Nature
Beejika Earrings

The products:

·         Earrings
·         Bracelets
·         Key holders
·         Necklaces
·         Hair pins

Beejika Earrings
Seed Earrings from the Beejika range
Curvy Seed Earrings from the Beejika range
Curvy Seed Earrings from the Beejika range
Gorgeous Brown Seed Earrings from Beejika
Gorgeous Brown Seed Earrings from Beejika

Seed Bracelet from the Beejika range

Seed Bracelet from the Beejika range

Seed Necklace from the Beejika range
Seed Necklace from the Beejika range

What Seeds do they use?

Some of the seeds that are used are:
·         Adenanthera pavonina (Red Sandalwood)
·         Polyalthia longifolia (Ashoka)
·         Delonix regia (Gulmohar)
·         Canna indica (Indian shot)
·         Canavalia (Jack-bean)
·         Albizia saman(Rain tree)
·         Leucaena leucocephala (White Leadtree)
·         Mimusops elengi (Spanish Wood)
·         Enterolobium cyclocarpum (Elephant Ear Tree)
·         Sterculia foetida (Wild Almond Tree or Tropical Chestnut).

Contact Details:
Shradhanjali

Website:

http://www.shradhanjaliauroville.com

Address:

Auroshilpam,
Auroville 605 101,
Tamil Nadu, India
Phone:
+91-413-2622172
+91-413-2623780
Fax:
+91-413-2622062

P.S: My mum got me the earrings from Cane and Bamboo shop at 45, Ethiraj Road, Egmore, Chennai – 600 008. Their phone number is         +91-44-28211649.

I hope you were inspired and woo-ed by these beautiful little seeds. What do you think about these? Do you know anyone else who makes handmade jewelry using seeds?