Art Elements Ornament design challenge is here with crafters all over the world participating with their creative entries. As usual, I had great plans for the hop. Recycled Ornaments with Gota, CD doodles, and fabric ornaments, all topped my list of items to do. Only when I got a reminder mail from AJE, I realised that apart from making my ornaments I would have to photograph and write about it too, which I could do only on weekends. Duh! Determined not be a klutz this time, I quickly whipped up some ornaments with my own Kolam art components.
I have been writing about Kolams regularly now on both this blog as well as on my Instagram page as a part of #Margazhi series. But for Nebies, here is a refresher.
What is Kolam?
Kolam which literally means “form” is a type of transient art. It is drawn on the ground in the threshold of the house or in front of indoor/outdoor shrines to welcome positivity and divinity inside. Kolams can be drawn in the form of mandalas, eternal knots and/or grid structures based on dots and lines or just a composition of shapes. I wrote a post on how kolams and Celtic knots are connected a few years back here. A Kolam is usually drawn with white chalk powder (original dry rice flour) and can be filled with colours. It can be also drawn with wet rice paste and colored with red oxide. There are several names for this art form in India – Kolam, rangoli, Alpana, Murjha, Mandana and Mungli are some of them. Please read my past posts on Kolam here. You can see some samples of my Kolam jewelry here.
Ornament design challenge
The Ornament Challenge set forth by Art elements suggested that we create handmade ornaments in any style of our choice with any material. Usually both AJE and ABS mandate that we use Art components for their challenges. This is at times difficult, as I do not really have access to Art beads not it is sell them here. So I end up making art components as not making a suitable component means forgoing a particular challenge. However, this time, it was not necessary to use Art beads and look what I did – I made three art components and used them! I guess that I am still not over the “No means yes” phase that my students are in.
Kolam in Ornament design – the philosophy
Kolam and Ornament design might seem like a strange combination but there is sound reasoning behind it. At a time and age when women were not allowed to voice their opinions even inside the house, drawing kolams provided them with outlet to express their views outside the house. Looking at the kolam drawn you could figure the mood of the lady or her likes and dislikes.w You could tell hether there is a celebration in the house that day. It also showed the world what she wanted to manifest for her home and family on that day.
Manifest
When I was thinking about ornaments, I was reminded on my school days and how we used to bring a pine ( orw as it fir?) tree to class and decorate it. We would buy ball or star ornaments and paper streamers with whatever little money we had. We would make tassels or tiny gift boxes out of paper and old birthday card crafts to decorate the trees. Lights were not a possibility as this was the pre LED serial lights period and we had no money for an electrician. If we wanted to manifest a glow there would be golden stars or balls with shapes out of golden and silver paper. Canes were rare; we pretended that they were sweet treats for the elves. Hanging up a gift box meant that we wished for a gift in the New year. My mini artificial tree at home too would be completely filled with gift boxes, stars and a Mardi gras bead necklace that was supposed to represent the lights. I still have that mini tree (20 years and going) and for the past three years it goes up on my desk at work.
Well that reminiscence was how the word “Manifestation” struck me and I made the association with Kolam. I made three ornaments – A Bottle pendant, a beaded black pulli kolam charm, and one with a quirky parrot. They are meant to manifest creativity, order, knowledge with a little bit of fun. In the spirit of transformation, these ornaments too would later become pendants on necklaces to celebrate Margazhi. What is Margazhi you ask? Come back next week and you will find out.
Until then, a Merry Christmas and holiday season to all of you. Enjoy spending time with family and friends while decked up in your best. Do Check out the recent Tutorial on how to create a Blingy Tassel necklace if you are still looking for ideas to create a stunning piece of jewelry for yourself.
Do check out past ornament posts like the Upcycled Bohemian ornament and Mandala Ornament as you create your own decorative objects. Hop around the participating blogs of the Ornament design challenge to look at lovely ornaments. Manifest love, joy, and Prosperity.
28 responses to “Ornament design challenge”
For being short on time to get this done, you did a wonderful job. I love how unique they all are. And, the Kolams are so cool too. Thanks for the lesson and the eye candy! Oh, and your little tree is so precious!!
Thanks Hope. I really do love that tree. I have had it for about 20 years now.
Divya, as always, I love your post! I love the inspiration and meaning you put into your work! Thank you for telling us about your trees, and the ornaments are wonderful! Happy Holidays!
Thanks Sue, that is so kind of you. Wishing you a very Merry Christmas too
Oh my! I just love the kolam pieces. The celtic knot/mandala design work is mesmerizing. I love the blue cylinder piece the best- Beautiful work!
Thanks Cathy. Your comment reminded me of the Celtic knot post I wrote years ago. Here is a link if you would like to see it http://jewelsofsayuri.com/2012/01/celtic-knot-connection.html
I am also full of ideas… but time is always hiding somewhere 😉
I love all your ornaments, especially how colourful they are and their playful vibe! The parrot one is my favorite, he just made me smile! 🙂
I am normally a bit scared of birds but I am really getting attracted to them these days. They are whimsical creatures, arent they?
Loved reading your post and your ornaments are beautiful!
Thanks Caroline 🙂
I just love celtic knots and your design is inspired!
Thanks Laney, I really like them too
Divya, I love that you still have your original Christmas tree. I have one with a similar history and it is still special to me. Your ornaments are sweet. I love the quirky parrot. Enjoy your holiday!
Thank you, Its a tree I bought when I was 12 years old. Before that we would use real pines but I would be sad to throw them away away Christmas, so I got my dad to buy this one for me
Those are so beautiful and I learned so much! Thanks for posting! <3
Thanks Sam, Happy Holidays to you
Your posts are always so informative and interesting, with combination of facts and personal stories. Such a pleasure to read. The ornaments are delightful.
Oh Thank you Tammy, I love telling stories and guess that comes through. Happy Holidays
Wow, your art is amazing. This is my first visit here and you are already making me feel like I have two left hands. But I am intrigued, I am gonna be visiting again, for sure.
I would love that Gayathri 🙂 I agree that Jewelry making is an art that requires practise but everyone is creative in their own way. If you can sign your name, you can draw. If you can draw you can start visualising items in 3D and work towards making them. Do try it out
The explanation of the kolam is fascinating. I always wondered how people could create art knowing it would be gone by the next day. I love that it could be an expression of what the woman of the house was feeling. Also, your little tree is very cute.
The intricate detail on your ornaments is impressive. How long does it take to make a design like that? Merry Christmas!
Denise, that is the beauty of Transient art. It encourages you to take time to appreciate your art as you are creating it without worrying about its permanence. Kolam experts can draw a knot in a few minutes time. It depends on how big it is. I have lost touch now but I can draw a 2 feet long one in 20-30 minutes. The grid takes time but the rest is easy. Digital ones take more time as you have to get the strokes right
Combining traditions keeps them alive, I think! The Kolam theme made the ornaments even more interesting and sophisticated! Love them all!
Thanks Rozantia. I do think putting them up on a tree will give a lot of local vibe. Isn’t that why holly berries and canes were used in the first place?
I love the meaning behind your ornaments, have definitely learned something today!
Thanks Melissa. Transient art can do wonders for stress – that is why the whole world is going crazy behind mandalas
Your participation in challenges is always exciting and you make immensely beautiful and interesting pieces. These were no exception!
Awwww…that is so sweet, thank you.