Tribal Bling

Inspired by the traditional beadwork of Gujarat, and the Huichol beadwork, here’s a necklace I made

Took some time but now that it`s complete, am happy . Can get back to more new ideas that have been buzzing around .
Hope you found it interesting.

Till next time, when I`ll be back with something new again
motidana

The beautiful Beadwork of Gujarat

Vintage beadwork from Gujarat. A beautiful set of ‘Shrifal’ (coconut) and ‘Indhoni’ carried in auspicious occasions by women of the family. This one has been beaded in early 1910’ as a part of a wedding dowry. The threads have given away in the Shrifal but the indhoni is in a better shape except for the fringe and the tassel that hangs at the bottom. . Judging from the colours and size of the beads, it is possible that both were not beaded at the same time.
Also is a pair of beaded wooden sticks . Possibly a part of the ‘Gilli -danda ‘ set , an Indian version of a game similar to Polo. The small size signifies that it belongs to the family deity and was taken out on occasions such as Janmashtami, Ramnavmi etc.Have yet to find the balls of this set which are also beaded.

Signing off for now. Will be back soon with some more interesting stories
motidana

Beaded bowl

This little cup of happiness is brimming over!
One more step in the journey of learning. A shaped bead woven bowl in the vibrant colours of happiness.

 

Adapted from the origional pattern `Bowl of Hearts~ by  Giulia Gonzato`

Merry Christmas!

Heard of photobombing, yarnbombing, but have you heard of beadbombing?

Here’s my take on this, a Christmas tree with beads !!

 Wishing all friends far and near, a season full of joy, peace and happiness!

Tribal Vibes

Yes, I know, it`s been a while but I`m still around! That`s the thought going around in my mind as I pen this post. Being active on other social media, it`s been quiet here since the last few months. Though things have been quite busy as far as creative endeavour goes.
  Here`s a glimpse of some projects that have kept me hooked on my bead mat. My skills in beading are improving, and so  ideas just take wings. And so is my collection of beaded jewellery growing in leaps and bounds
  Some of my projects, in the last few months

So what do you think? Do let me know how you found these new necklaces,would love to hear from you

Ciao ,
motidana

Trendy Traditionals

Been away for a long while now. Thought I would share my latest project , a first time order to create patterns based on Indian textiles for a dear friend.
 I was a bit of a challenge since I don`t have a software to create designs, every motif was manually charted, but I and Mom( she`s an avid beader too ! ) finally finished the project.and here`s the outcome...

Happiness!
Completed the last of the borders designed on a special request , all vibrant and colorful, based on the traditional motifs of India. What a lovely journey it has been.!

How did you find this? Do drop in your comments. I would love hearing from you.

Till next time, when I`m back with more of my beadwork

motidana

Tribal pendants, full of vibrant bling !

     Back from blogging haitus!!  Oh yes.  I have not been paying attention to my jewelry blog, but there are many excuses, - travelling, redoing the house after the December  floods, catching up with friends on social media , but the most important one is that I`m truly hooked to learning ( and sometimes discarding ) new techniques and creating  patterns for myself. 

A couple of months ago . I decided to try my hand at peyote stitch, not for the first time though,making the pattern and getting the shape took some time .  Not sure of how it would turn out, tried both fireline thread as well as Nymo in each pendant. The only mistake I think I made is that for the second piece I think I should have not woven very tightly as I now observe a slight distortion in the pattern. Or it could be as because I started the pattern from the center. Not sure , anyways am happy that it is not so visible in the final necklace .

 It was fun creating the pendants, and I loved the colors . Adding the beaded beads I made, I combined Indian glass beads in black and green with an adjustable thread necklace. Of course making the beaded beads with peyote stitch did take some time but then  I am quite happy with how the pattern came out finally.

Hope you liked the necklaces .

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Ciao for now , will be back with something new soon…..

Motidana.

From my Bead Peeps Swap n Hop partner!

Wow,  the beads arrived and I`m so excited I can't wait to get started! My partner this time is Krafty Max  . Looking up at her work and her site, I realized what an avid beader she is. Her  work is simply gorgeous ! Here`s a link to all the lovely jewellery she makes . Some of her award winning pieces are featured here !

She`s been so generous  and sent a lot of  different beads  for me to play with. Not only  a whole lot of beautiful seed beads but lampwork beads, focals, handmade findings and strands of  gemstone beads. It`s going to be fun trying out all the things she has sent me , most of which we don`t get to see here in India. My mind is reeling with ideas , and I love what I've put  together so far , really love it! I don't yet have final designs worked up but I definitely have the general idea of  I want to make from most of them.

And here`s the stuff I sent 

It was challenging to have to send her items for this swap.   What could I send her that she would like  ? She has  been making jewelry as a full time job/business for years !! I And  being an avid beader, she had so many of the beads I shortlisted for sending her, already made into beautiful jewellery. And I was totally confused . I was sure I wanted to send something that was not similar to what she already had.  And when she told me she would love something   traditional from my country, it made the selecting a bit easier.  I sent her a double sided focal Buddha bead  , apart from a lampwork heart focal, and other beads made in India.    I also included a few brass findings  , and a stone cabochon and cute little wooden bird beads, from Rajasthan India.  I can't wait to see the jewelry that she makes from what I sent her.  

Stay tuned in for more on the Bead Peeps Swap n Hop challenge ! Comming soon....

motidana

A wire wrapped Pendant

Ethnic Bling! A multicolor beaded necklace.

 Recently, I was requested by a friend to make a Multicolor necklace that matched with most outfits . I have been a bit obsessed with making bracelets of late but have had such a hard time with sourcing the beads . But  this time it just came together so perfect that I can not help but feel overjoyed when I was requested to make a necklace  . I had a bag of assorted seed beads , a gift from my Mom. Since the bead were less in quantity, I had saved them for smaller projects so that I wouldn't run out of beads midway through the project  . The hanks were few but the colors bright and bold .
   Sharing  how I made it !

I love the colors. And I love intricate and beautiful things that can be with seed beads . That beaded chain is utterly gorgeous I think , and the colors are perfect to match Indian or Western outfits .
And now it`s time to start a new project ,

 So what do you think?
Do drop in a line. Would love to hear from you!

Ciao for now
motidana

Beautiful Beaded Bracelets!

           It`s been a busy time at the studio, making bracelets! A preview from the first lot , here are two intricately bead woven bracelets with the center being same. Look how we came up with two variations in the same beads.....

It was trial and error and lots of reworking before these came up to my satisfaction , but finally these two have turned out good I think.
So what do you think about this? And which one would you pick?

ciao for now, it`s back to beading another one

motidana

Pink-N-Pearls - a new vintage inspired necklace !

Here`s my new project - An intricate classic necklace crafted with luminous freshwater pearls, and dusky pink netted beads .

While not exactly pink , these Indian glass beads are more a variation of the Pantone color of the year `Marsala` . It was quite refreshing to use both bead weaving and wire wrapping techniques to assemble this necklace. It`s turned out quite well I think and will be one of my favorites for formal occasions

So what do you think?



motidana

The Beads have arrived!

     

          Waiting excitedly and with a wee bit of impatience , the goody bag of beads has finally arrived from my partner  Jami Shipp , for the  Bead Peeps "Swap n Hop" challenge . Being the first time that I`m participating in such a challenge , I`ve been hyper about everything to do with it , from getting to know my partner , to posting my goodies for her , as well as getting goodies and the jewellery ready before the deadline. I think I`ve bugged her in this excitement and driven her nuts especially since she has not been keeping well. Sorry for that Jami !
  Anyways, once I got the goody bag  , I`m thrilled at what she sent me . A lovely Jasper cab that has been cut by her friend , a copper clasp made by her , and seed beads in different sizes.

 Here are the pictures of what I sent her . A variety of beads in different materials  , finding , focals  and a beaded tassel that I made a couple of years ago . The photos are not very good ones though as I took these at the last minute, all wrapped in plastic bags , before shipping at the Post office, as an after thought .

 I hope she likes them and has as much in using them , as I had in gathering them for her . Just can`t wait to see what she makes from these .

Do drop by at the reveal date to see some beautiful eye candy !

motidana