Romancing with Silver

'Lai' in French: 
a lyrical, narrative poem written in octosyllabic couplets that often deals with tales of adventure and romance and it's Sanskrit translation is the 'beloved one'. Together they quite comprehend what Puja Bhargava Kamath's silver jewelry stands for - 'a romance with silver, traditional crafts and the Indian culture!'

Puja's jewelry line is a result of several years of work experience in the craft sector, serving and designing accessories for various national and international bodies. Having come across jewelry design; discovering and falling in love with some beautiful craftsmanship during these excursions to remote clusters, Puja has ventured on to design her own line of jewelry. Her brand 'Lai' came about just a few months ago and has already caught attention of several design and craft lovers. A graduate from National Institute of Fashion Technology, India, Puja's design approach towards each motif or design she choses to develop and contemporise, is purely research and information based. Her jewelry pieces are an interpretation of Indian themes rendered in contemporary designs. Themes such as paisley motif, design details from old Palaces and Havelis (private mansions) etc. each of which is backed by a strong history and most likely a story in the Indian culture. 

"We like to think of our designs as having a strong personality, an Indian soul & a global spirit. Lai is contemporary, classic, chic, unique ...with a touch of fun!" - you'll agree i think.


Puja works with artisans from different parts of India leveraging the several traditional jewelry making techniques thereby ensuring the continuity of the age old traditional craft skills. Each of her jewelry pieces is handmade, which makes it so unique.

Like we at The Green Elephant believe, these artisans need encouragement to continue doing the crafts they do, to be able to comfortably survive and support their families. The support comes from urban dwellers like us and from talented designers like Puja, who catalyze the outreach and are working towards making this happen. The best part, Lai subscribes to the principles of Fair Trade which, amongst other things, means that the craftsmen work under respectable conditions, are adequately reimbursed for their labor & an overall transparent pricing policy is followed. Kudos Puja!

        Plain Gorgeous!

Content and Image Source: 1+2+3

Fragile Beauty of the World

Many a times i wonder, how is it that people living out far in remote villages, indifferent to any "worldly progress", without any access to formal education, information, technology or modernization, can design and make inspirational art and fashion pieces in ways no-one else can ?! Perhaps, the very lack of any external influence should be one of the dominant reasons, don't you think? Nature has its way to build creativity in you, if you let it. 

Throughout the world, ethnic groups are characterized and identified by such unique dressing and ornamentation. The Maasai - a semi nomadic tribe located in Kenya, are perhaps, one of the most widely recognized people in terms of their customs, dresses and beaded ornaments. Beaded ornaments with bright colors, intricate patterns, layers and layers of which sit on the collar bone, become headdresses and adorn the wrist of men and women alike. Like every other craft, Maasai ornaments also seem to have their own history, symbolism and a strong social meaning.

Traditionally, before the glass beads were easily available, local raw materials such as seeds, skins, copper, bone, gourd and wood were used in the craft. Till date, Maasai women sit together between their daily tasks of looking after the children, milking cows, cooking, constructing homes, keeping an eye on their cattle and make beaded jewelry. To this day bead work is an important means through which women demonstrate their social understanding and creative capability. Beauty is considered very important to their culture and they would invest a lot of time to make it perfect. It is created and given to each other within the community on special occasions such as celebration of a successful hunt, newly engaged couples and on several other ceremonial occasions. 

Because the Maasai are traditionally pastoral people, much of the color symbolism relates to cattle - mostly cows. Each color has it's own significant social meaning and if that intrigues you, read on to find out which color represents what...

Red signifies danger, ferocity, bravery, strength and unity in particular because red is the color of cow's blood which is slaughtered when the community gets together in celebration.

The sky gives water to the cows and the color Blue represents that. 

Green represents the land which grows food for their cattle to eat. Green is also the color of a local plant called 'Olari' which grows tall and plentiful, just as the Maasai hope to. 

The gourds that hold the milk and offered to visitors are colored Orange so that's the color of hospitality and so is Yellow owing to the color of animal skins that cover guest beds.
White is the color of purity and health as it is the color of milk, which comes from cows - considered by the Maasai as a pure and holy animal and because it is milk that nourishes the community.
Black represents the color of the people but more importantly the hardships we all go through in life.

Quite Amazing isn't it?!

I read on Wikipedia that the Tanzanian and Kenyan governments have instituted programs to encourage the Maasai to abandon their traditional semi-nomadic lifestyle. If enforced, these fragile beauties might lose their beautiful age old customs, traditions and craft skills to the daunting modern civilization and become one of the crowd not so different from us! 

Talking of fragile beauties, you all must have heard about the severe drought that has stricken several areas of East Africa. If you feel for it, please do what you can. You'll be surprised how much $5 can achieve in that world!! We do not endorse or favor any particular organisation but for your convenience, here are a few links you can make your donations through: Global Giving-US, Global Giving-UK, Oxfam, World Food Program, Care. 

Much peace and love for all!

Image Credits: Eric Lafforgue

Information Source: Maasai Education

Design Feature: Rachna Reddy

Nominated for the ' Best Accessory Designer of 2011 ' category by Marie Claire India Fashion awards within the very first year of launching her brand, in itself speaks volumes about Rachna Reddy's work. Based out of Bangalore with an in-house team of 6 people, Rachna Reddy started working on her line in May of 2010. 

Walking out on what is conventionally presumed as a "successful" career path in India - engineering, Rachna followed her heart and went ahead to pursue her passion in accessory design and graduated from Cordwainer's - London College of Fashion. She now has her own label which will be stocked by the likes of 'Paul Smith' in London and Paris very soon!

Love the quote by Buddha on this tote

Fascinated by the possibilities of wood, Rachana designs clutch bags made of teak juxtaposed with softer elements such as silk and leather. The bright colors pop out beautifully on the earthy wooden base, don't you think? Also, the co-existence of soft and strong together, truly seems to represent the spirit of the contemporary woman, such a beautiful concept! Using a combination of laser-technology and artisan hand-crafting, her initial designs interpret the most lovely Indian symbols - lotus and peacock. For the rest she draws inspiration from her cultural roots, architecture, travel, indigenous art forms from around the world.

Quite enchanting product photography too you will agree! :)

Below is an extension to Rachna Reddy's signature line of wood clutches inspired from everything that is bright and illuminating. Titled as Beam this line of clutches are adorned by Studs, crystals, bright highlights and lots of bling. 

The Global Gypsy again is another exquisite line based on nomadic inspirations, exploring stunning artistry of various ancient cultures and free spirit symbols such as butterflies.

All images from Rachna Reddy's website and Facebook Page. Information sources: Rachna Reddy's website, Yourstory.in and hardluxliving.com

Pura Vida! Pure Life!

What would you think of a life that lives out of an RV, takes a dip in the soothing warm rivers for a living and listens to great live music in the evenings to make new friends? Fantasy land? I'd say quite right at that if i had not met these friendly ticos (locals) at La Fortuna during my little Costa Rican holiday a few days ago.

Beautiful as the country is, so are the people! I met Sofia Astua, her husband and friends one evening at this very warm and inviting restaurant called 'Lava Lounge' at La Fortuna downtown. After a long day of hiking and driving, this place was a perfect relaxing retreat. Amazing food n drinks, incredible live music from a duo of an asian musician and a local singer clubbed with the cutest dogs and cats - literally! The cats would just come and sit at your table - fearless, just stroke them and they'd close their eyes in peaceful happiness :)

Anyhow, this post is particularly about Sofia Astua, Maria Bustamante and their friends who make beautiful and very unique jewelry using nylon threads and semi precious stones. They get these  stones by diving into the local rivers and ocean beds to make their own rustic yet precious n pretty jewelry. When they are not diving the waters, Sofia makes the jewelry during the day in her RV or at the restaurant where there is ample natural light while her husband who seems pretty good with marketing, sells the jewelry at night when the restaurant is packed with people. They have a simple set up at the entrance of 'Lava Lounge', where they display and sell their work. People waiting for their tables, food n drinks tend to hang around this friendly and attractive little corner chatting with the artists while enjoying the music and doing some shopping. Sharing some pictures of the beautiful place and the work!

Inside Lava Lounge

Maria at work

The price ranges from $8 to $100 depending on the design. It takes them anything between 4 to 12 hours behind one piece to knot intricate patterns all they way around a stone. It looks as precise and neat as any bead jewelry isn't it? 

The work below here is by Maria Bustamante. Notice the nature inspired forms in her beautiful creations. 

Sofia and Me at their display table

              

Sofia and her husband.

And look what i got me :) 

'Cian' is the artist's 2 yr old daughter after whom they have named their brand. Notice the packaging - economic, recycled, simple and beautiful!

All images are taken by me with the permission of the artist.

Happy Holidays!

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New products added to our facebook shop!

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For questions, confusions, requests

write...

info@thegreenelephantdesigns.com

call...

619.356.0162

TGE Sale!

Have you ever ever tried the age old craft of hand block printing yourself? It's so much fun! All you need is acrylic paint (Tempra paint works just fine) and a couple of these stamps. The possibilities are unlimited, you can use them on almost every imaginable surface! These hand carved wood blocks have been our bestsellers so far, so well guess what, we decided to make them easily available for all of you and not just wholesale buyers :) Yes that's true! You can now buy the following designs off our shop here.

'Like' us on facebook if you haven't as yet and get them for $8.99 instead of $10.99 AND 'Share' to get a further $1 discount. So you can purchase these for as low as $7.99!! These make for those unique gift ideas well within budget that you might have been looking for Christmas this year. Hurry, our stock is limited right now and we know we are going to run out very soon :)

Get Dip Print Create. Taking orders now!

Started Holiday Shopping yet? Here's an idea for a start if you are looking for something different, something creative and something that'll put your gift apart from all others! 'Snowflakes'- Our brand new block printing blocks collection. We love it and we are as sure that you too will! Take a look...

SFB1011

SFB1012

SFB1013

SFB1014

Some cool ideas:

- Block print using contrast colors on newsprint paper to make cool gift wrappers

- Use them as ornaments to decorate Christmas trees

- Gift them in a cute little paper bag made by you using similar blocks

- Make your own cool greeting cards

- Just have fun :)

Do share your creativity with us! We would love to see our blocks at work under your creative hands :)

We are taking orders on these blocks now! Hurry and order soon to receive it in time for the holiday season. And as a special offer, for a limited time only, we are giving these away for $8 a piece for a set of 4 blocks.

How to order?

1. Chose your block designs if you want more or less than 4. 

2. Email us the design numbers which is written under each image along with the number of pieces you want at info@thegreenelephantdesigns.com

3. Mention method of payment and associated details.

4. Receive confirmation receipt from us and voila you're done!

In a short little few days you will be able to get dip print and create! 

Call us if you have any doubts, questions, suggestions or just want to chat :) 
Photo Credits: www.colouricious.com

Mark your calenders!

Join us @ Mingei International Museum

Family Sunday

Sunday, October 16, 2011
Noon - 4 pm
Location: Balboa Park

Tassels, Family Sunday’s colorful cloth horse mascot from India 

On the third Sunday of each month children and families can explore the Museum’s colorful exhibitions of folk art, craft and design, win a prize for completing a treasure hunt and participate in other activities such as storytelling and hands-on crafts.
This Family Sunday, participate in block printing with our very own Amisha. Block printing is an ancient craft from India. We will be making our own blocks and dyes from some vegetables and spices in addition to working with traditional wooden block printing blocks.

In addition, at 2pm join us for the screening of films from The Soul Of Mexico, a series on the history of Mexico, produced by filmmaker, author and historian Hector Tajonar.
Film schedule
July 17 — The Dawn of Mesoamerica
August 21 — Landscape of Pyramids
September 18 — The Lords of the Sun
October 16 — From Conquest to Revolution
November 20 — Living Heritage
Special Family Sunday admission, from noon to 4 pm:
$5/family; $3/individual
Information: 619-239-0003

Come over--we would love to meet y'all!

Ek Karkhana

“ek karkhana nariyal ke jhaad ke paas” (one workshop near a coconut tree) is the address of this workshop inhabited by three young designers and their team of karigars (artisans) inspired by Travel, Movies, Art, Indian crafts and textiles, people from various walks of life and their inspiring stories. Each honing on their individual design strengths, these friends cum colleagues work together towards a passion they all equally share.

As much as an old school like me is now coming to think of social media as more of a waste of valuable time than a boon really, it  manages to prove me wrong each time i come across some eye catching works of art like these. It's made getting in touch with like minded people and to explore endless possibilities of collaboration or otherwise so easy! Just as one of my fellow bloggers - Kavita  of Indian by Design puts it so aptly "Social networking has created opportunities for creative businesses to get in touch with their audience more intimately and immediately than ever before. It has also created a surfeit of businesses of varying quality. But many do shine through." 


Ek Karkhana is one such facebook discoveries i made a few days ago. Their work i feel is so stylistically simple and contemporary that your eyes cannot escape but without giving a second glance. The colorful medley and use of simple patterns is a reflection of the rich Indian culture that inspires their work strongly. Yet it's so appropriately intervened with a strong sense of modern design that unlike many Indian craft styles, it looks nothing close to chaotic, overdone or overwhelming. It's simple, light, fun and very creative! Fishes, Peacocks, Parrots, Lotuses, Beetle Leaves - are all commonly used motifs that primarily dominate Indian craft styles, but few have i come across that have been used so modestly and beautifully! 
Do browse through their products below or here and tell us - isn't their work quite a visual treat?