My cousin (little sister’s ) wedding is in 2 days and most of my relatives from my father’s side are in town to attend it. Needless to say, that means pulling together atleast 3 fantastic looks to just blend in to the crowd. This also means last minute tinkering to the wardrobe – repairing clothes that the tailor decided to spoil [he made the skirt 2 sizes too big and the blouse is nowhere to be seen 🙁 ] despite detailed instructions and making some interesting jewelry with the hope that everyone will look at them and ignore the ill-fitting outfits.
With cousins in town, it also means becoming a stylist who can rattle latest fashion tips and make everyone including the kids and aunties look stunning. After all, I did design the bride’s reception look. It also means catering to last minute jewelry requests.
My Aunt had planned this wedding to be a typical – Traditional Tamil Brahmin wedding replete with all the rituals. I knew almost every one of the family members will be decked up in traditional silks and typical gold/gold tone jewelry. The rebel in me wanted to stand out and wear something very different so as to generate some interest for my brand. Hearing “Oh! she makes eclectic jewelry” is so much better that hearing “Oh! she is not married.” Isn’t it?
Though I have a shelf full of accessories, I wanted to make jewelry incorporating the latest jewelry trends in India in 2017. Here is my list
- A necklace for my mom with the “Bahubali” elephant pendant for the reception
- Bangles and rings for mom – Fabric jewelry
- Earrings, necklace, hairclip – the works works – for me for reception – Silk thread, gota, pompoms
- Necklace and earrings for me for the wedding – Afghani and oxidised jewelry
Additions to this list were the following items for another one of my cousins
- Thread/Zardosi bangles
- Beaded jewelry for the engagement function
- Necklace and earrings for my niece for the reception
Usually when I make a to-do list, I stick to it. But this time around it was overflowing with things not done as I had gone on a trip to the Himalayas. Before that I was busy with college reports and creating a Comic style decor for the wedding. Now I know that I am rambling and this is all too much for one post. so I’ll only show the embroidered fabric bangles that I made for my Cousin and my mom and the thread bangles that I embellished for my cousin.
Embroidered Fabric Bangles
My Aunt had gifted my mom a plain burgundy saree with an orange border and green accents (both short colors a.k.a dutones). When I saw it I knew that it needed a little extra metallic spark. We got the blouse done in another short brocade. My mom was not interested in wearing any exotic necklace or earrings with it so I made her a bangle. I created a half inch wide embroidered silk Fabric Bangle. It took a really long time to glue and finish it by lining it with felt but my mom was super happy on seeing the finish. We had had just visited markets in Delhi and Haridwar during our trip and she was horrified at the quality of products sold there in the name of handmade jewelry.
I hope she would pair it with these Lac green and burgundy bangles that I found in the Haridwar market or glass bangles perhaps.
My Cousin had been eyeing my Zardosi bangles for a while now so she wanted me to make them for her. Unfortunately, I did not have enough time to make them. So I made her Embroidered Fabric Bangles too. I made the center green bangle with a machine embroidered raw silk fabric and felt lining. I picked up the accompanying Wool bangles at the Delhi market. Wrapped with Gota ribbon, these are all the rage now.
Silk Thread bangles
I got Plain bangles wrapped overnight ( by Sukanya Pavel) and embellished them with rhinestones. Since I had designed them to be more elegant than grand, I feel that it looks precisely that way. I hope that it suits the saree that my cousin is planning on wearing.
This is just the tip of the list my friends, stay tuned for more customised wedding jewelry. Hopefully, with the photographs of the wearers the next time.
The fabric bangles can be made for sale but colour and pattern is subject to availability of materials
I hope you found it interesting
Cheers
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