Jewellery has been used as a decorative ornament for human beings since the beginning of civilisation. Amazing objects of adornment were crafted with clay until the dawning of the stone and metal age, when bone, wood and berries were used.
Metrolife met up with Reena Kappen, an entrepreneur who has always been keen in craft and embroidery. Born in Calicut, it was after she moved to Bangalore (post her wedding) 18 years ago, that she learned of the enchanting craft of terracotta through books. Initially, she was very apprehensive about creating designs using terracotta but friends and family encouraged her and for the past five years, she has been retailing designer jewellery under the label ‘Earth Craft.’
“Once I begin a collection, I work 12-14 hours a day. It’s not the economics alone, it’s the energy and satisfaction that’s unmeasurable,” she says. The clay for the pieces should of a fine grain which is mixed to a moldable consistency, then is given the required shape. Reena’s ethnic neckpieces, with earrings to match, have a variety of designs — shells, paisley, discs, squares, diamonds, round, oblong and hexagonal — each with an individualistic embossed surface. Circular and tubular beads string the pendants. The ensemble is then arranged and put in the kiln which is every potters’ nightmare as air-pockets in the mix can crack the piece when baking. “I put it to bake and pray”, says Reena.
With the water evaporating, the pieces become lighter and after baking for two and half hours, they are left to cool in the kiln for five to six hours. Painting is the next step. Using oil paint, each piece is individually painted and one can’t afford to go wrong with any, for if there’s a mistake, there’s no way of rectifying it. Finally it’s stringing the pieces together and adding the silver hooks to the earrings.
Reena’s pallet moves from ocher into yellows, electric blues, black, browns, bronze, turquoise with sensuous reds, black and yellow being among her favourites. The varied hues are a combination and mix of several colours. “At the onset, you have to mix sufficient colour for, trying to recreate the same shade is next to impossible,” shares Reena while she displays a collection in trendy contemporary motifs and designs.
Varied colours to match your dress, occasion and mood in light and heavier pieces, terracotta is said to rate high in the popular trend jewellery, rapidly making a fashion statement in the west and far east. Says Reena, “My clients are so particular about details, have specific needs and require impeccable quality and I love to indulge them.”
Reena’s son Manush and artist husband John, who contribute to the many creative moments, express concern about how many people at exhibitions actually realise the labour of the craftsman. ‘It’s the middle man and retailer who gets credit and the profits,’ they say.
With two pubic exhibitions a year and many private clients, Reena is among the four artisans in south India, selected for the Cottage Mela, organised by the Central Cottage Industry, in the City starting September 10. Her collection will be available at Safina Plaza till September 23. Call: 25584083/4 for details.
