Your earring was once a paper, that was once a gunny sack

Soma Das introduces you to 4 women who craft jewellery using quaint techniques to bring you designs you won't find on the aunty at that neighbourhood kitty

Ever thought paper could be used to look pretty? Kinjal Shah, 23, says, "You bet!" She creates eco-friendly earrings from hand-made paper that's recycled from gunny sacks, fishing nets and ropes.
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Having trained as a commercial artist, Shah learnt about this kind of jewellery making at the Bombay Paperie.

"Though the trinkets feel flimsy, the type of paper ensures they are long-lasting, provided it is kept away from water," says Shah, who customises products, allowing you to pick and choose colours and patterns.

Available at: The Bombay Paperie, 59, Bombay Samachar Marg.

Call: 66358172

Cost: Earrings (Rs 75), necklaces (Rs 150)

Jewellery made by former sex slaves

Stephanie Pollero was lounging at her home in Orange County, California, reading a fashion magazine, when she chanced upon an article on human trafficking in India.

Having just wrapped up a degree, and in search of a job, she decided to sell all she had at a garage sale and buy herself a one-way ticket to India.

She worked with an NGO that rescued girls who had been brought from Karnataka, Hyderabad, villages of Maharashtra, even Bangladesh and introduced to the flesh trade; some of them as young as 12.

Having learnt jewellery-making, Pollero decided to teach the girls her skill, launching International Sanctuary with partner Sunita Khursule.

Khursule, who had worked as a domestic help since she was 12, helped Pollero teach the girls how to make jewellery using glass and metal beads, wires, shells and even wood. The jewellery is fairly simple to make, taking between 15 and 45 minutes to craft.

Pollaro, who had a tough time winning their trust is now their "Didi", and says the look on the girls' faces when they come up with a new design, is worth having chucked a cushy life for.

The products the girls create are exported to America, where they are sold at private events, parties and through their website. In India, their jewellery is available on demand.

log on to:u00a0 www.isanctuary.org

Call: 9321420814 / 9920852249u00a0

Cost: Rs 750 onwards

Hand-knotted trinkets

With a Masters in Social Work, Rosalind Pereira, 37, worked with NGOs until she attended a crafts fair where she watched Rajasthani craftsman weave hand-knotted jewellery.

She read up on the craft, before setting up Maya Bazaar in 1997 to help traditional artisans turn self-sufficient. Her label now supports 19 craftsmen families, boasts of a tie-up with FabIndia outlets, and has a growing clientele all over the country.

Here, craftsmen make hand-knotted jewellery using dyed silk and cotton yarn, hand-crafted silver tribal pendants, glass beads, semiprecious stones, seeds and pearls. Artisans make around five sets a day ranging from earrings and anklets to bracelets, neck pieces, even keychains.

"We have revived an ancient craft and given our customers value for money," says Pereira.

log on to: www.maya-bazaar.com

Call: 65876410

Cost: Rs 150

Budget enamel jewellery

Kavita Lomror, 29, had trained in jewellery design but it wasu00a0 after meeting husband and artist Kana Lomror, who studied at Shanti Niketan, that she learnt about crafting enamel jewellery.

All their pieces are one-of-a-kind so you don't have to worry about bumping into someone else wearing a similar piece.
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Enamelling is the ancient art of creating images with crushed glass powder. Enamel is applied to metal and imprinted on the object by heating it in a kiln.

Traditional enamelling (Meenakari) is done on gold, but the Lomrors use the technique on copper and silver, making the trinkets affordable.

Available at: Soham Exotica, 69, Sector 21, Kharghar, Navi Mumbai and Bajaj Art Gallery, Bajaj Bhavan, Nariman Point.

Call: 9920334326 / 27744955

Cost: Rs 300 onwards (for earrings) to Rs 5,000 (for silver items)

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