Can you believe that it is March already? In Chennai, Spring is almost gone and summer is here. I have been working on the SS19 collection, but I have reluctant to post it as I have made very few pieces so far. I usually like having atleast 12-20 pieces before I do a soft launch and 50 for a full launch. But that has been impossible due to my current schedule. However, instead of postponing the launch I will be posting the pictures of the jewellery as I make them. Here is the introduction to the Kolam III collection and I hope that you would enjoy seeing, buying, wearing, gifting them as much as I loved making them.
Kolam III collection
Regular readers of my blog would know about dot and line traditional Indian floor designs known as Kolams. There are usually draw with white chalk powder on the floor in grid patterns. There are freehand variations too. The ones based on dots are known as Pulli Kolam in Tamil. The lines in the pulli kolam can either connect the dots like a grid patterns or they can go around the dots like in the images shown above and below. The coloured ones are known as rangoli. You can see my past Kolam Jewellery collections here, which are well all sold out.
The last Kolam based collection of 12 pieces sold out in 2 days. I wanted to do colourways but I lost all my artwork and couldn’t even fulfill later orders. For SS19, I have created new patterns and redone some old favourites in new colours once again from scratch. I also have some interesting bezel shapes this time, so you have a lot to look forward to. Here are three of the initial pieces in bright reds, pink, yellows and oranges for sale.
Kavi Kolam necklace
Kavi refers to an orangish-red-brown to maroon colour mud that is used to accent traditional pulli kolams in Tamil Nadu, India. While It is a semi solid paste which is made by mixing brick powder or red sand (Semman) with water. In the recent years, red coloured chemicals and powders are also available as the alternate. It signifies celebrations and festivities happening in the house, outside which the kolam is drawn. It is the signifier of auspiciousness. Therefore, I begin Kolam III collection with this Kavi Kolam Necklace.
This is an asymmetrical looped bead necklace in orange and red with a brick red kolam pendant. The fabric beads with bordered patterns, provide the reverse accent of white and black.
Red Rangoli
Rangoli is a geometric or freehand pattern that is colored. While a tetradic colour scheme is typically used for festivals and events, strong reds and yellows are also used at times. In the traditional method colours like red and yellow would be made using natural materials and hence considered auspicious. This beaded necklace in red and yellow with a green accent has a matching rangoli pendant.
Lotus Kolam necklace
Lotus holds a lot of symbolism in Hinduism and Buddhism. It is the symbol of enlightenment, purity, sacrifice, and devotion. The Lotus Kolam necklace is asymmetrical with beads of glass and fabric. The pendant is of a geometrical lotus, while you can see the real lotus forms on the earring studs and abstraction on the fabric beads.
As mentioned above, all the pieces show here are available for salewith matching earrings. Please email or message me on IG/FB to buy. Stay tuned for the next month to see pieces from the Kolam III collection slowly being unveiled.
I hope you found it interesting
Cheers
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