Unique Jewellery Finds - Silver and Sisal jewellery

Today I want to share another unique jewellery material that I came across during the The World Craft Council    Kaivalam  an International Craft Summit that was hosted in Chennai a few months back . It is jewellery made from sisal fiber .

                Sisal fibers ,  obtained from the  hardy Agave plant , is extracted by a retting process similar to that of linen . Mostly found in Brazil , Mexico, China , and Africa , this natural fiber is used to make ropes , twines , carpets , etc . Also used for making lovely coiled baskets ,........................................................... and now as delicate jewellery , the sisal fiber has found a new use. 

I absolutely love the delicate bracelet and earrings that I got from their stall at the crafts bazaar , and here are the pictures of the same

 

  Tintsaba, a craft initiative by the women of Swaziland , produces these beautiful coiled bracelets and other pieces of jewellery by coiling natural dyed sisal fiber along with silver to create unique jewellery . 



 Here`s a link to their webste    ;  http://www.tintsaba.com

I`m sure you will find it interesting 

do drop in a line ,  

motidana 

Shisha Embroidery

 Shisha embroidery , is a very old and traditional technique  done in the western regions of India. While the states of Gujarat and Rajasthan  excell in beautiful embroideries using small mirrors and beads , the Lambadi ( gypsys of Andhra ) too use a lot of mirrors in their traditional attire . And these Lambadis carefully trim small pieces of mica by hand to produce different shaped shisha or mirrors .  It is said that these mirrors were attached to dresses not only to add beauty to the garment but also to ward off evil eye .

Here`s a sampler that I had made a few years ago using stitches like herringbone , cretan , fly . french knots , lazy daisy etc Though it has discolored over the years , I still think that these  motifs are pretty even now. I have done a lot of shisha embroidery since then but this

 sampler is  my favorite .

Well , what do you think ? do drop in a line , as I love hearing fro you . And keep visiting for more on Shisha embroidery .