Featured Artist:Neena Shilvock of Caprilicious Jewellery

Hello there!

Meet Neena Shilvock of Caprilicious Jewellery.

Neena is by profession an Obstetrician and Gynaecologist and in her own words “ designs jewelry for the woman who likes to be noticed - stylish, individual, and confident, with a sense of humour and a zest for life - Delicious jewellery for the Capricious woman - Caprilicious”.

I love her work and you must see ALL her designs. Don't tell me I didn't warn you!

Presenting some of Neena's creations

From the Oriental Inspiration Collection - the pendant and focal beads are faux black jade, made from polymer clay.

From the English Country Garden Collection - wire work framing a brass stamping

Daffodils

I love Paris - another beautiful design

Love these wire work pendants that Neena designed as gifts for her friends

She calls them The Three Bears

Tubular Bell earrings - made in her kiln from Bronze Clay.

Koi Carp Earrings - also made in the kiln from Bronze Clay.

Accessories that Neena can custom design

Carnelian ear cuff and hair ornament

Neena also designs head- bands. Here’s one from the Anna collection. Should you like it you can place orders for the color of the flowers.

Here is one of her most recent designs - the black and white beads are made by her using polymer clay. Neena likes to make as many elements of her jewellery as possible herself, thus utilising all her skills.

Neena designs with wire, polymer clay, precious metal clay, unusual gemstones and more recently enamel work, and has won numerous awards and accolades.

The beautiful necklace pictured below is called Strawberries and cream. This beautiful wire work necklace has strawberry colored nuggets with lapis lazuli, cornelian and aquamarine gemstones.

She also makes pieces entirely from wire, beads and gemstones.

This is the Hummingbirds Haven. A masterpiece!

She has recently been designing necklaces around leaf skeletons and Nepalese artisan created pendants.

Here is a necklace made with a pendant in solar quartz - cut from a stalactite and set in sterling silver.

Her designs have been also been featured in Beads and Beyond  Magazine. Each one of her pieces has a name and she blogs about the inspiration for her jewellery, and their names on a weekly Friday blog. To know more about her and see her lovely work, you can connect with NEENA SHILVOCK

at

Website - CAPRILICIOUS JEWELLERY

Facebook - Facebook.com/CapriliciousJewellery

Image copyrights/credits- Caprilicious Jewellery

Rocking Rallyst:Suma Alva Rai

Today I introduce you to Suma Alva Rai a homemaker but now a glorious champion of the Delhi-Jaipur-Delhi Women's Car Rally 2011. Here is her story of how she got herself ranked as the first runner up under the mixed category of the women's rally beating the odds.

Suma Alva Rai, an Arts Graduate from Mangalore University, India, is a homemaker based in Noida, India. Suma has 2 young children and wanted to do something different and achieve something in her life. She chanced to see the Delhi-Jaipur-Delhi Women's Car Rally 2011 on facebook and thought of participating in it. After all, there was  nothing to lose.  But then, there were cogs in the wheel- her daughter's exams and the motor rally dates were clashing and Suma's husband was unhappy about this. And then, she was an amateur in motor rallying. Big question on how to go about it?

But then, eventually, her husband agreed to let Suma participate. A friend Kapil Bahri offered to be the navigator and he underwent a one day session for navigation skills with Sudesh Brar. With tips from Suma's brother Umakanth Alva who used to be an avid motor rallyist once upon a time, the team now all pumped up with encouragement from family, friends and rally organizer Karuna Sharma the team was all geared up for the rally.

The 2 day rally held on September 24-25, 2011 was a rally based on Time Speed and Distance. (TDS) The participants were to maintain a certain speed and had to reach certain destination or check points at a given time. If participants reached the check point earlier then specified, there were penalties for doing so. 

The event was flagged off at DLF Place, Saket, Delhi. The route was through Suraj Kund, Sohna, Firozpur Jhirka, Tijara, Alwar, Madho Garh to Talvraksha, Pratap Garh, Ramgarh and straight to Jaipur and then return to Delhi via Nahargarh Biological Park, Shahpur and Viratnagar.

Overcoming the TDS factors the team  of Suma Alva Rai and Kapil Bahri became  first runner up in the amateur Mixed category.  For an amateur who just came to participate, it was not only a big surprise,it was a dream come true. And her husband who was unhappy at first, is now very proud of this great achievement! 

Congratulations Suma! Hope to see you doing this more often!

All images:Suma Alva Rai

Featured Artist:Mehuli of JHUMKI DESIGNS BY RAINDROPS

Hello everybody! Hope you have had a great weekend!

Today, I welcome Mehuli, of Jhumki designs by Raindrops - a jewelry studio for  gorgeous handmade jewelry  and accessories. Mehuli uses quality gemstones, gold, copper and lace in her creations. Come and get to  know her and see her unique creations. 

1. Please tell us about yourself.

I am a designer interested in design at different scales from jewelry, architecture to urban design. I currently work in LA as an urban designer. My passion extends to painting, photography and cooking as well. My happiness lies in creation in its various forms. I also love watching nature's creation at work with botanics and gardening. If I'm not creating you will find me in a quaint coffee shop if accessible! 

Shashini earrings

2. What is the story behind Jhumki designs by Raindrops

I started playing with wire with a goal of selling online to combat the recessesion after I graduated from my masters program and had to leave New York city due to the lack of work. It was stress relieving for me to create and it gave me a chance to apply some basic principles I had learned in architecture school. I had always doodled similar designs inspired from my background in india. I was able to turn this into a physical form that is functional. I was greatly inspired by other wire wrapping artists on etsy whom I was able to make friends with. that is the long story short version of the nearly year and a half old Jhumki - designs by raindrops.

Divija Bracelet 

3. What inspires you to bring in the new collections

The new collections at jhumki designs by raindrops are presented to buyers with inspiration from traditional ideas from india that hold quite close to my heart. The intent behind the pieces are communicated through sanskrit titles and an accompanying poem/prose that conveys the intention of the piece to its best.

Mukhilan/Headpiece

4. If you were not designing these beautiful accessories, what would you be doing?

I don't just design jewelry. I am an architect and urban designer based in LA. If I wasn't using my free time in jewelry it would probably be used in creating something other than jewelry!

5. How do you showcase or market your designs?

I use my facebook page for getting the word out there. im probably not the best at marketing. I use basic methods such as business cards that I hand out and include in my packaging. 

Madhava Sangini Necklace 

6. Connect with Mehuli of Jhumki designs by Raindrops on 


Blog           :jhumkidesigns. blogspot.com
Facebook  :www. facebook.com/jhumkidesigns
Shop         :jhumkidesigns.etsy.com
Twitter      : twitter- mehuchan



Thank you Mehuli for sharing your beautiful work with us.


Image courtesy: Jhumkidesigns

Featured Artist: Indigene Craft

Welcome to Masala Mango Mantra's feature on  Indigene Craft - an online store for handmade indian crafts and clothings. Indigene Craft was started in 2010 by Jaya Bhatt and Ruchi Tripathi, graduates from the prestigious National Institute of Fashion Technology, (NIFT) India. Handmade crafts have always been dear to both of them and they are very passionate about bringing an awareness about handmade crafts and fabrics of India on an international level.

I am a big sucker for block prints and of course Indian fashon.  I happened to be looking for some unique fashion in block prints  and was absolutely delighted to find Indigene Craft ! I can  say that my wardrobe will now boast of more chic Indo western fashion wear! So without much ado, lets get to know these young women entrepreneurs of Indigene Craft

When and what let you to open Indigene Craft?

Our interest in the traditional crafts of India and a long period of interaction with artisans, crafts persons and organisations involved with such products, lead us to start with our own venture "Indigene". We are keen to experiment with our experiences in this sector and give the products our own unique flavor.

How long does it take to make a collection?
We come up with a new collection 2-3 times a year as per season. This involves conceptualizing and planning at least 6 months in advance before the new range is ready.

How are you different from others?
Our emphasis lies in using traditional craft techniques (fabric, surface embellishment, styling etc.) to create products that are contemporary and for the modern market. This is what we feel our uniqueness is. We believe in bringing together the traditional and the modern in our products.

Do you plan to design clothes for children?
We have not yet ventured into kids wear. But it is definitely a potential market and we will gradually like to expand our product range by adding interesting kid’s garments in our range.

If you were not designing clothes, what would you be doing?
Both of us love design and this does not restrict us to just designing clothing. We have to experiment on different mediums like jewelry, natural fibre and even designing spaces. Hence the options are numerous.


How do you market your designs?
We have our own website on which we put up our collections every season. Apart from that, social network media like Facebook and of course word of mouth.

Any shows and events that Indigene Craft has participated in?
Until now Indigene has participated at one exhibition in Delhi and one showing in Bangalore with the ANT store. We plan to be a part of more organized exhibitions this year. As one of us is based in USA we are looking at being able to participate at a few community events in there.


Connect with Indigene Craft at 


Email: info@indigenecraft.com
Contact no: India 98119 70107 USA 315 480 3950
Facebook: www.facebook.com/indigenecraft
Website: www.indigenecraft.com
  

Featured Artist:CREATIVE WITH CLAY

Hello and a warm welcome this Wednesday!

If you are like me and has always been fascinated by clay tea cups, vases and soap dishes you have to see the beautiful creations Charan Sachar of Creative With Clay. I have only showcased some of his beautiful handmade creations in this post - there are more of his creations like incense stick holders, pillow salt and pepper shakers, wall clocks, beer mugs, soap trays, all available to be pounced at his store now. Come get mesmerized and don't tell me I did not warn you! 

1.Please tell us about yourself.

I am Charan Sachar, the potter behind Creative with Clay. I have lived in India for a significant part of my life where my mother ran a boutique designing clothes for brides and bridesmaids. The colors, fabrics, embroidery and designs I came across then have a strong impact on my work now.

My work also reflects my love for Bollywood movies and my fascination with life in India. I strive to give life to clay, decorating it with Indian influences keeping functionality and uniqueness in mind.

Dancing Diva Wall Sculpture Bollywood inspired

I use a combination of techniques such as wheel throwing, extrusions, slab constructions and alterations to create my forms. Each piece is then further decorated free hand with underglazes and slip to give it the textured feel of embroidered fabric. Some pieces go through multiple firings to give it more depth of color and texture. Pottery has given me the much needed respite from the monotony of everyday life. 

Ceramic Candy basket or jewelry basket

Working with clay and giving it form feels as satisfying as organizing and bringing peace to all the chaos that is there around me. My goal is to continue to work with this medium to create art work which is cherished for life.

Pillow shaped treasure trinket box

2. What inspired you to start creativewithclay?

My fascination with clay.. in fact all things handmade started when I was a kid. As a kid I remember seeing potters in India throwing on a large wheel spinning it with a stick. Due to the limitation of resources I read all about it but didn’t work with real clay till I came to the US. From all the mediums I have worked with, clay gave me an opportunity to make three dimensional art which can serve the purpose of function as well as be cherished as art itself. The whole transformation going from a lump of soft clay to a form that is created from one’s imagination resulting in a solid piece such a mug or bowl excites me. I thoroughly enjoy the process involved in this transformation and find it very rewarding to create something.

At first I was making pots for myself and friends. Very soon I was encouraged to sell my work and that is when I started Creative with Clay. It has been a great journey and continues to be so.

Large Ice cream bowls

3.Have you showcased your beautiful pottery at any exhibitions?

I do 5-6 shows a year showing my work. My work is also represented by several galleries around the US. 

You can see the list of galleries participated - Here

Handmade butter dish with butter knife

Connect with Charan Sachar :


Email: creativewithclay@yahoo.com
Twitter: charansachar
Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/pages/Creative-with-clay/66752007515
Blog: http://creativewithclay.blogspot.com/
Website and how to videos : http://www.creativewithclay.com/home.php




All images courtesy: Creativewithclay