Black and white paper jewelry

Hi everyone!

For some reason black and white as a combination has always inspired me and my artwork for many reasons. Not only does it give clean lines to the art work but they complement each other so well then any creation looks clean, sophisticated and chic!

I decided to do black and white paper beads with marble effect on them as this effect gives it a beautiful look and looks classy.

I complemented the entire look with a wooden pendant hand again hand painted it with Indian classical look o give it a sort of tribal bohemian effect.

Take a look at the pictures below.

It's available on etsy for sale. Please refer to the link below

https://www.etsy.com/listing/616240313/bohemian-neck-piece-with-paper-beads-and?ref=related-3

I look forward to hearing from you!

Bhawna

Paper Mache Bead Necklace

Hello Readers,

This post is an extension to another type of recycled paper jewelry which i design. 
As kids we might have played with paper mache pulp to form different shapes of animals or make some other craft project.

But this is a more professional version of making paper beads even though most of the steps remain the same.

The procedure to make the paper mache is as below

1. Tear the newspaper or any waste paper in small bits of pieces. Alternatively you can even use the toilet paper roll.
2. Soak them in luke warm water for 20-30 mins. Depending on the thickness of the paper the time for soaking depends.
3. Run them through a grinder to make a soft pulp or use a hand blender to pulp them.
4. Now pour them in a sieve and force the excess water out.
5. Take the paper mache pulp and some white glue to it along with some salt. This protects them from catching fungus.
6. Now knead the paste for a while to turn it into soft clay like consistency.
7. And you are ready to make your beads!

Once your beads are have been rolled out, keep them for drying in a warm place for 2-3 days. If the size is make it may take 4 days also depending upon the weather conditions.

Below is the picture of the dried paper beads.

I have not made a hole in the above beads, but i will used a manual driller for the same. Another option is to make hole using a tooth pick when they are still wet. This needs to be done carefully in order not to spoil the shape of the beads.

I usually sand the beads to give it a more finished look and smooth the edges further since its paper it tends to wrinkle when dried out.

Once you are done with all these steps, let your imagination take wings and paint the beads in the color of your choice or you can even create some designs on it.

Enhancement of the beads for the finished look really depends on your imagination and creativity.

Below is the  finished Paper Mache Bead Necklace. I have combined other plastic beads to complement the look. You can any other alternative beads like metal or glass or faux steel. It depends on your design

Hope this post inspires you to take up the project of paper mache jewelry.
It's available on sale on etsy website, below mentioned is the link

https://www.etsy.com/listing/602630172/paper-mache-bead-necklace?ref=listing-shop-header-1

Do write your feedback and queries on the post.

regards,

Bhawna

Sustainable Fashion with Sustainable Jewelry!

When i started painting the glass bottles it gave me a lot of scope to display my creativity in terms of art, but the thirst to do more and take this a step further, pushed me to get into making sustainable fashion jewelry. In the beginning it seemed like a craft project where a few paper sheets are rolled and made into beads. And i must confess it was not seeming pretty or interesting, knowing the fact that the market is flooded with beautiful imitation and junk jewelry at very affordable prices.

Fashion jewelry or a colloquial term junk jewelry is something that changes with time and is more of a fad. To be a sustainable jewelry designer and to create pieces which can stand equal or a greater chance to be noticed required something extra.

I had to think on various parameters like

1. Durability

2. Cost

3. Time required to make

4. Designs

Of course handmade holds a special place but when it is paper jewelry it has to pass the test of durability to be counted as one of the most sought after pieces to have.

With years of patience practice failures and successes i came up with my designs which can stand out and are as durable as any other metal jewelry in the market. Of course a few tips to take some care of jewelry is definitely stated to the buyer but overall its a practical jewelry choice and is very unique!

I am sharing the pictures of few of my jewelry pieces that i have made.

The cylindrical beads in green, pink and postage stamp are all made of waste paper and combined with ceramic beads to finish the look.

Do share your feedback on this post and i shall soon be back with a new post.

Thank you readers!

Bhawna

Mutate...Metamorphose...Recycle!!!

Take a closer look at the things you consider "waste" and infuse some creative blood in your veins to transform it into something beautiful!

Hello to readers! Thank you for visiting my page.

Five years back when i quit my job for a short stint in the fashion industry, which didn't carry on for long, i decided to do something. This "something" had no plan or agenda or any motive per say, but yes it was very clear that it had to be something related to art.

Well the usual way for a beginner who is aimless is to jump onto the you tube channel or google something to find a thing that embraces the likes of the mind.But in my case it was my husband who casually told me to do something with the empty lying olive oil bottle (was planning to throw it in the trash, and thank god i didn't).

And that was the beginning of something more meaningful and purposeful in my life when i started seeing these waste bottles in a different light! It gave purpose to each day of my life and new ideas started bubbling in my mind, taking wings in new directions and at times in ways which haven't been tried before by anyone (at least couldn't find a copy on google :/)

“There's always a second chance in life till you are breathing! All you need to do is believe in yourself!.”

Now when i look back to those baby steps i took 5 years back i realize I've come very far and my identity now has changed from a regular Corporate person to an "Artist" or a "Designer". And quite frankly i feel very proud of it :) :)

WHY RECYCLE...??

Sustainability is not just a word but a lifestyle that we need to follow in order to reduce the amount of non-biodegradable waste we generate daily by the use of packaged food or bottles, be it plastic, glass or aluminum.

The data for the amount of waste generated each year that ends up rotting in the land fill for years, is alarming.

So definitely the prime responsibility to reduce the waste lies on us as we need to be more sensible when it comes to environmental issues.

There are hundreds of ways to do that and internet is loaded with lots of solutions, but i won't list them here as this blog is with a different purpose.

If you have the artistic streak in you then go ahead and start painting the empty bottles in your house and use them for decoration or in your garden. They work as perfect accents too if done in particular theme.

I hope you get inspired enough to wake the creative streak in you and get going ;)

Take care and keeping visiting this page!

Bhawna