A wire wrapped Pendant

The Beauty of Indian Embroidery - Kathi embroidery of Gujarat

Vivid and vibrant would be an inadequate term to  describe  this lovely embroidery technique . Bold and colourful motifs blend with each other in harmony ,  complementing and decorating the  plain and simple abodes of the Kathi community of Gujarat. A hardworking and industrious community , the kathis are landowners. Having a natural inclination  towards art , these creative people churn out one of the most popular ( to the world ) and beautiful  Indian embroideries.

      Believing in beautifying their surroundings , the women toil lovingly over the threads and needle and embroider unique pieces of art like door panels , door hangings , seat covers ,baby  crib covers , canopies , and not to be forgotten even decorations for their domestic cattle like camels , cows , bullocks and carts, to personal clothes like the women`s skirtcommonly known as ghagra

    Taking inspiration from the surrounding ,the themes in  embroidery are based on everyday life. Hindu God Ganesha , Sun  ,  Radha Krishna , Hanuman are all depicted in their embroidery  . Popular   motifs like peacock , parrots , elephants , camels , flowering plants ,etc are used ,  and , sometimes women filling water , women churning butter , wedding processions , Raas lila , hunting scenes are used.

  The embroidery is done with Silk floss  called Heer ( untwisted and lustrous thread ) in bold colours. .  Purple , magenta , electric blue , parrot green , lemon yellow , golden yellow and  red. fill the large areas while white or black are sometimes used to add an outline in  motifs . Stitches used are predominantly herringbone - open as well as closed ,  Fishbone stitch occassionally used and open chain stitch for outline . Mirrors are sometimes added to enhance the look of the embroidery.  Most embroideries are done on a dark and thick handwoven cotton fabric and the bright color luster of heer threads makes the embroidery come alive .

 There are two predominant type of design formations in these embroideries - one where geometric patterns are used such as the eight pointed star and boxed panels are filled with the embroidery - or- the second style where the motifs are drawn free-hand and usually have flora and fauna with animal and human figures. The arrangement of all these motifs  is so well  , that it makes the embroidered article a masterpiece - an inspiration to embroidery enthusiasts and a collectors item to all art lovers .

     And here`s my project inspired by the art loving Kathi community that I have done on my dress  a few years ago .

 Hope you found this article interesting . Do write in you comments and keep dropping by to read the continuation of this article : Motifs in Kathi embroidery !

motidana.

   

Some more Ganesha Pendants !

Here are a couple of pendants from my Ganesha collection .

This one I have created using pearls , gold foil beads , jade green malachite beads ,and carved coral Ganesha idol. I thought it would make a lovely focal piece for my coral mangalsutra that I have made for my previous post  " Another Treasure from the Sea - Creations in  coral " ( here ) . So I thought of  re-stringingthe necklace and add the newly created pendant in the center........... but after uploading the picture I realized that the beading wire that I had used is visible where I had joined a new one and that will not do !  . And so ......... I have decided to make it again .

And in this one though the center Ganesh  idol is identical , I used a different technique to make the necklace. I love collecting Ganesha`s and since I had three idols of same size I decided that I would use all three in different ways to create jewellery .

 Somehow the combination of lusturous pearls , coral ,  and gold really looked good together and so I made this one , using bead weaving technique slightly different from the first one . And I made the  loop  big enough to go through a gold chain .
  My plan was to complete the entire collection for Ganesh Chaturthi but I was slow in completing these two pieces as I was working on another designer  necklace that I will be posting soon .

 Till then ciao ! and do pen  in a few words about these latest pendants ,and , drop by for the new statement piece that I will be showcasing soon !

motidana

Ganesha Pendants - My new creation

Ganesha , the hindu elephant god has a special place in the life of Indians . Being Ganesh chaturthi , I am  posting  two pendants  that I have made .

In my quest for learning different techniques , I have created this one using quilling. The base is handmade paper and this pendant can be worn with a simple cord or chain .

And this  one has been created using a faux turquoise Ganesh idol that I got as a free gift from a local bead shop . I have used wire wrapping technique along with pearls , drop faux coral beads , and Chinese faceted glass beads . It is yet to be made into a necklace , but as usual , I couldn't wait to post the pictures so here`s the picture of the pendant .

So what do you think about these creations ? Do drop in a line as your views matter a lot to me .

motidana

Dreams of Angkor

There is endless beauty around us . Be it in the form of flora , fauna or even rocks and stones , nature sure is beautiful. Admiring nature always fills me with a sense of peace and calm and a feeling of thankfullness at the gift  nature has bestowed around.  And civilizations of  the earlier era had a respect for that beauty , which they merged in their living . The forts , Castles , Caves, Relics that they built , are all an embodiment of beauty captured by the bygone era , leaving  us with sense of awe and wonder !

 Angkor Vat of Cambodia  is one such Wonder of the world that is beyond compare . The beautiful temples, the Elephant terrace , the stone carvings ,  the Steps to Nirvana  and not to forget the green flora fauna and the curling banyan trees all have a story to tell .

(photo courtsey http://go-seek-serve.blogspot.in/2011/08/angkor-wat-sketches-2.html )

   Learning about it in history as a child ,  a vivid image formed in my mind, and this necklace has been inspired by the beauty of Angkor. as I have imagined !

Using cabochons, ( the cracked cabochon a symbol of ruins , seemed perfect for this project )  beads  and gemstones , I have created this necklace  trying to capture the calm and  serene atmosphere surrounding the temples of Angkor.

assembling the components

                           completing the central area , resembling the tank and surrounding monuments

didnt like the placement of the 3 glass beads so ripped them off  to add beads around the circumference to resemble a walking path . Notice the green onyx beads depicting the  Steps to Nirvana.

Focal pendant complete !!!

Added the side to make a necklace . tried free form technique so learnt brick stitch , herringbone stitch and square stitch in the process

       not to miss the banyan tree and leaves  on the temple  , I have added glass leaves next to the green jade Ganesha .

Though I when started this project , I thought it would be a simple one , I got so carried away that I wanted to go on adding to it. And believe me it has been a journey full of self learning . Needles breaking, threads knotting, wrong shade of beads , trying to learn new bead stitches ( for me , a first timer ) it has been a fun filled period.

And I am happy by the outcome . What about you? Do you think it captures the beauty of a bygone era  waiting to be made immemorable ?

 Eagerly awaiting to see whether my mind`s picture  of Angkor vat is true ,  I`m off to Cambodia to see what my mind has only imagined till now. Hope the real thing is even more beautiful and inspiring than my vision. And waiting to gather loads of inspirations for my future  projects !

Motidana.

My WIP inching along

If you have been following my earlier  posts , you must have seen the dream project I have been working on . Though it has been a slow journey , ( which is why I havent been posting awhile ) I am enjoying every moment in making this ! And finally I have finished the focal piece . All that remains now is some detailing

Here`s a look at the completed focal piece.

I love it !  but I am waiting to hear from you . Comments please?

am signing off for now , but do drop by to see the finished project

cya !

motidana.