Seed – a small object that encapsulates a giant tree. What a great notion. I guess God must have patted himself on the back after creating a seed. Afterall, a seed holds and gives life. On an abstract conceptual level, a seed pods hold great potential. However, as a component or a form, they are tricky to work with as they are so simple and unassuming. So for Art Elements’ July showcase, I wanted to challenge myself to create jewelry with seeds. It was easier than I thought and fun too. Here I present some of my Handmade Seed jewelry.
Jambei red seeds – Little, red and shiny jewels
The very first time, I came across these red shiny seeds was at Shantiniketan’s Sonajhuri market where I bought a pair of red and black seed earrings. It turned out to be very lucky for me. I would wear it during important presentations, festivals and even when I wanted to get my leave letter signed. I wore it while travelling to Malaysia and Siem Reap earlier this year. Just as I reached my hotel, one earring broke scattering the beads and wrenching my heart in the process. Remembering that Graines De Cambodge by Rany Som stocks fantastic jewelry made of these red seeds (which called locally called Jambei seeds), I went looking for their store.
Boy, I was not disappointed. I was entranced by her timeless and elegant creations using natural materials like jute and seeds. But that was not what interested me the most. The way she had branded and packaged her concept with displays and descriptive cards to sell at a good price was fascinating. The store visit turned out to be a lesson on how to brand your creations as desirable, luxurious products even when they are made of simple materials that cost virtually nothing. I bought a Jambei seed rope necklace and a lotus seed bracelet that I wanted to rehash. But having worn the necklace multiple times, I couldn’t bring myself to cut it.
Oh that’s Kundumani!
When I came home from the trip, one of my students from Bengaluru said that what I was wearing was called Kundumani and can be found on almost any street in India. I was perplexed on two fronts. One, I had not come across this seed before anywhere in South India. Two, the seed I knew as Kundumani (Abrus precatorius) was bead vine or Indian Licorice which is an oval poisonous red seed with a black eye and what I was wearing was a flattened smooth red seed.
Then a few days later, one of my friends (a colleague from Kerala) also referred to the seeds as Kundumani. She told me that she had a big collection of the seeds at home and offered to send me some which she graciously did. My mother also, referred to the seeds by the same name. Though I was not convinced, I set the nagging feeling aside. That is until, I had to write this post on Seed jewelry. I did a bit more research and found out the correct name of the seed – Circassian seed aka Adenanthera pavonina (Aanai Kundumani in Tamil, Gulangi in Kannada). I made a pair of chain earrings and a finger ring using the seeds.
Manjadikuru – the lucky red seeds
Adenanthera pavonina is commonly found in Kerala in India and is known as Manjadikuru – Seed of the Manjadi tree. It is often collected from the roadside, polished by rubbing and display in brass vessels known as uruli as it is considered lucky. Children are encouraged to play with them. While doing research for this challenge I came across a Malayalam movie by the same name. In the movies blog, I came to know that Manjadikuru was also considered holy based on a folklore about the Guruvayoor temple.
The story is about how an elderly woman, collects these seeds as an offering to Little Krishna and treks for miles ot bring it to the temple. But she is pushed aside by the kings guards who ridicule her and scatter her beads. In a twist of fate, the kings elephant, which was supposed to be an offering to the temple runs amok and brings about destruction. The king is petrified and prays for a solution. He hears the voice of God, who says that he does not want the elephant but wants to play with shiny red seeds. The seeds are instantly gathered and presented and the woman is treated with the respect that she deserves.
When I recounted this story to my mother, she also recollected it. She told me that a big urli of manjadikuru is still kept at the Guruvayoor temple for visitors to play with as it said to relieve them on disease and sadness. It brings a smile to anyone who looks at it. This I feel, is indeed true. Starting with me, to my students to my friends, everyone I met whenever I wore my Seed jewelry grinned like a little kid while looking at them. What about you? Do the shiny red seeds bring a smile to your face?
Aanai Kundumani
I was wondering why these seeds are called aanai Kundumai (Elephant kundumani) in Tamil. Then I came across this interesting post on how 12 tiny carved elephants were stuffed into the seed for Good luck. These seeds are also said to be standard measures of Gold and silver once upon a time.
# Update -In my hurry to write this post I left out the part on how I made the red seed jewelry. So thanks for the questions and the comments. I bought some of the red seeds/lotus seeds pre-drilled. For the rest I drilled a hole manually using an awl and pins. The ones used in the ring are without holes and set with dimensional magic and resin.
Lotus Seed jewelry
My fascination for the lotus flower is well documented in this blog. While I have previously used the form of the lotus flower and leaf in my work, I have not bothered with the seeds. While in Siem Reap, I came across dried Lotus seeds that were used to make jewelry and was fascinated by it. These seeds are believed to diminish poverty and promote wellness. I made a pair of simple earrings with small jhumka end caps as dangles.
That brings me to the end of this post. I hope you enjoyed reading about the lucky circassian red seeds. None of the pieces shown here are for sale. I am a couple of days early in posting this reveal as I am travelling yet again. On the 31st of July Do hop around and visit all the participants of this challenge.
Here is a list of all the participants
Guest Artists:
Art Elements Team:
I hope you found it interesting
Cheers
46 responses to “Handmade Seed jewelry with Manjadikuru”
I was always fascinated to Manjadikkuru and wanted to make jewelry out of it . I had collected a few pieces too. However I was unable to either drill a hole through it or stick it to any material , . Would you be able to share/ guide on, a) how you can drill a hole in manjadikkuru , b) with what glue it can be stuck and to which material ..
with warm regards
You have to drill using a manual drill or repeated efforts with a pin and awl. I went with the latter. But you can also you a dremel with a diamond bit I guess. I did not use glue, but looped the pieces with wire. It can be set in resin if required
Fascinating post, Divya! I love that ring and the red seeds are beautiful, I think I have seen jewelry with what I now realize was the red and black variety (from the link). I had bought a package of lotus seeds from a Chinese food store in Bulgaria to use in jewelry but wasn’t sure they will not crack – are your lotus seeds dyed? The Jhumka findings look good without the dangles, too 🙂
I am not sure if they are dyed because I bought them this way. But I do know that they are real seeds as a bit of the organic materials keeps seeping out of the hole even with the bead cap. If you had white/off white seeds it would be fascinating to dye them. I would love to know if that works
A fascinating read, thank you. I love the earrings
Thank you Jill
Those are beautiful seeds, very appealing, and so is your seed jewelry. I really enjoyed reading the post!
Thank you Cat, I am glad that you found it appealing
I just love the chain earrings with the red seeds. They look like they would have lots of movement when worn. And the shape and color of them are just beautiful. The ring is also lovely-reminds me of pomegranate seeds. And last but not least, those lotus seed earrings-my favorite!
Yes Cathy, After reading both your and Jenny’s comment, I too think that they look like Pomegranate seeds.
I love reading your posts because I always learn so much! I also love that you used actual seeds in your jewelry, they are very pretty!
Thanks Sue, I felt that only by using real seeds that I could do justice to this challenge
That was a really interesting read. Thank you for sharing the stories and history of the various seeds you used. Every piece is lovely for different reasons. I think the earrings with seeds on chain might be my favorite. They look like the scattered seeds from the story of the king and the old woman. Thank you for participating in the challenge this month! I hope to see you in a future challenge!
Thanks Jennifer, that is a lovely analogy. I did not think of it to be honest but now I feel that it really matches the story. Thanks for adding to my work
I really enjoyed your post. It was so interesting. Thank you for sharing the information about Manjadikuru. I was totally unfamiliar with the seed and folklore. Your red earrings are gorgeous and just my style.
Thanks Kathy. This challenge was really interesting to me as well as seeds are totally out of my comfort zone
I love that you used actual seeds! At work we talked a lot about jewelery made from seeds and a colleague told us how she once made a necklace with dried apple seed, and I remembered that I actually used water melon seeds as a child. I definitely put it on my to do list and now, reading you blog post and seeing your beautiful jewelery, I really, really need to play again with any kind of seed. 🙂
Yes Claire, you must try out seeds sometime, they are quite fun to work with not to mention cheao
Another fascinating post filled with great background details. Your red seed jewelry looks good enough to eat. The lotus earrings are lovely as well.
Thanks Tammy. Yes, aren’t they yummy? Thankfully these seeds are not poisonous like their red and black cousins
Loved your post – the information and the jewelry are both fascinating! 🙂 Your pictures did remind me of the red seeds with black dots, but since I didn’t see a dot, I thought the seeds must be different.
yes Anita, the ones with black dots are are kundumani – a different plant all together.
What a fascinating post! 12 elephants in a seed? Scattered seeds in a mythic tale? I am in love. Thank you for your thorough and interesting post – as well as your gorgeous jewelry! The ring looks so lush – makes me think of a pomegranate and then in turn the myth of Demeter and Persephone from Classical Greece!
Oh yes, I completely forgot about Persephone and the pomegranate seeds. My first college portfolio had a project based on it. Thank you for mentioning it.
Your pieces are really charming and I love all the information you put into your post and the seeds really do look like little gems
Thanks for the compliment Niky
Fascinating back stories about these seeds and the use in your jewelry. I wonder if these will dry up and wrinkle as many seeds? I too, think they resemble pomegranate seeds. I love the color and the way you hung them from chains.
The lotus beads did dry and start getting powdery at the tips but the reds are already dry. This is how they’ll stay for a while I guess
The small thing which holds life…so God packed it with colors 🙂
Loved that Manjadikuru earrings
That is a wonderful way of putting it
yes on the seeds bringing a smile to my face 😀 I love your earrings and the ring but I must say I really enjoyed reading your post and all the stories you have put in it relating to the seeds, you write a wonderful blog.
Thanks for the wonderful compliment Laney. Support like this is what motivates me in writing this blog
I love your blog you write such an interesting post I thoroughly enjoyed reading all the stories you shared relating to the seeds. Those earrings are beautiful and the ring is delightful.
Thanks Laney, I am really glad that you are able to connect to my stories and enjoy them
Very cool use of actual seeds! Those red seeds are amazing in your earrings!
Thanks Sarajo
Really enjoyed your post, what a fascinating read! Love the jewellery you created too!
Thank you Caroline
Wow! Amazing Collections.Thanks for sharing Information and Designs.
Thank you
it is unbelievable that u use seeds.. but it is amazing work u did excellent job. Keep it up:)
Thanks Jopina. Almost anything can be made into jewelry
That ring that you made is spectacular!
Love reading about that seed – quite interesting!
Thank you Maya. That ring is very simple to make but is quite the statement piece
Lovely seed design. ♥
Thanks Catherine