Black Beads Necklace

Black beads are worn by all married women in India. Some wear it in long chains made of gold and some short. There are different designs and lengths made in gold. 

I have been wanting to create some designs in black beads for a long time. I have bought materials also but din't find time. Then I thought of creating one and gifting it my sister as she loves to wear different creations in black beads.

I have attempted a black bead creation with Lakshmi dollar in the center. This is of medium length. I made it as a gift to my sister for Varalakshmi Pooja.

I have used black beads with some gold plated beads in between and a Lakshmi locket in the center.

I first put it on Goddess VaraLakshmi for the Sravana Sukravaara pooja and then gifted it to my sister.

Please do write your comments and suggestions about my creation.

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Ganesh Chaturthi Special

Here is one more Swastika Rangoli that can be used for any Pooja Occasion. 

I have used the 8X8 block of my previous post in the center and then on all four sides I have used smaller block. You can see the dots in the Rangoli.

8X8 block

Here is a closer look at one of the sides.

You can further build it up if you require a bigger one.

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Ganesh Chaturthi Special

Here is one more simple Rangoli. This can be used on any Pooja occasion.

This is 8X8 block. You can add more blocks to it to create a bigger Rangoli. This is very simple, easy to draw and requires very little space.

Watch out for more.....

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Glass Beads Necklaces

Here are two necklaces I made from Glass Beads.

I could get three colours-green, orange mixed brown and dark purple.

I have used only two gold plated discs in between the beads with both necklaces. The length is medium.

I love glass beads and may be I should have added pendants too. But at that time I din't have any thing to match these beads. I don't much like any thing especially jewellery or clothes to be loud. So I made it very simple.

Hope you like them......

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Ganesh Chaturthi Special

Here are some Rangolis I am going to post for Ganesh Chaturthi. The Theme is MODAK (Hindi) or Undrallu Telugu)- a delicacy made of steamed rice semolina and split chickpea lentils. This is the most favourite of Ganesha. Without this offering our Ganesh Chaturthi is not complete. This is a very simple and easy snack, nutritious and filling. Swasthika is also associated with Lord Ganesha.

This is 6X6 block. You can add more blocks to create a bigger Rangoli.

This is 8X8 block. You can either add more of these blocks together or add above 6X6 block on all sides to create a bigger Rangoli. 

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Free Craft Projects

Friends here is a treasure house of many craft projects. These crafts contain, paper crafts, needle crafts, painting and much more. They are all free. You can down load:

https://www.craftcreations.com/Section/939/Free-Craft-Projects/

This is being offered by CRAFT CREATIONS.COM. So generous of them! 

What are you waiting for...Rush and enjoy the free projects......

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Coral Pink Beads Necklace

OK friends, here is the final product. This is how it looks.

I have added a few gold plated disks and beads and made the necklace. I have kept this very simple, so that it can be worn even to work.

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Quilled Ear Studs

Here are my first attempts at quilled ear studs.

These were created using quilling paper strips of different widths. I am making them in different colours to match the dresses. The quality of the pic is not what I like but cannot help it. I don't have time to photograph them properly in natural light.

I have so many creative ideas to experiment with and create. That needs time which I don't have on my hands presently. Keep a watch as I will be posting as and when I create something new.

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Sea Shell Ear Rings

Here is my first attempt at ear Rings. I have used sea shell pieces and seed pearls. I have just kept it simple so that it would look delicate.

I have used gold coloured rings, hoop and wire. But it is not looking like that in the picture.

I need to do lot of work on these. Though so many ideas are flashing through my mind, I am not able to jot them down in my work book, leave alone create the design. Well once I am through with my project at my work place, I can concentrate on this.

What do you think of the ear rings?

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Coral Pink Beads

I am making a lot of jewellery these days, preparing for an exhibition. But even before that my pieces are being sold away. My designs are unique and I have very limited numbers and the cost is affordable. I am not interested in making too much profit. Just a little over cost of materials is enough for me. I am selling because I want to create more and I cannot keep all those with myself. May be that is the reason for the sales.Well I am happy...

Here is one coral pink beads I am working on. The beads are not coral but artificial. I have a rose pendant and ear studs set for that. I am half way through.

So keep a watch on coming posts where I will be posting my final product.

Oh by the way keep a watch for a GIVE AWAY CONTEST...I am going to give away some of my Jewellery soon.....

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Temples Of India

When ever I travel, I make it a point to visit all important places worth seeing in that city or town. I make sure that I visit temples especially ancient ones and try to collect its history legends associated with it and Sthala Purana-how the temple came into existence and various other aspects related with it. 

Temples of India have always fascinated me since my childhood. Whether for their unique architecture or the legends or mythological stories related to it, uniqueness of the idols and many such things. Each temple has something unique and special. Only very few of these temples are popular today. Many are unknown and are slowly dying away, some are already in dilapidated conditions. 

I feel that these temples should get back their glory. We need to resurrect them because they reflect our glorious past, ancient wisdom, the Vedic knowledge that our sages and saints have handed down over generations and also guide us in the present as well as in the future. Our future generations have a right to know about them. It is our duty to hand over all this to them so that they can also appreciate and benefit from them. Even people of other cultures are interested about India.

So I have started collecting all the info relating to these temples and compiling them in a series of posts for all those who are interested. You can read them here :

http://secretsofancientwisdom.blogspot.com/

There is lot  to be covered by me in my posts. You will be surprised to read about very unique things, like the temple where working people needing transfer to the places of choice are sure to get them, the God half woman and half man, unique Shiva Linga having both Ganga and Parvathi and many more.

Please do take time, visit my blog, leave your comments and suggestions. If you have anything more to share about these temples, especially those who are local to that area or have more knowledge about the temples or places, I request you to share the photographs and the information, so that I can put it all together. Feel free to contact me on my email. You can also send in articles as a guest. I will post them along with your bio .

Hope you like my posts on Temples Of India.....

Ganesh Chaturthi

Friends Ganesh Chaturdi is fast approaching.  This year it falls on 1st September 2011. Ganesha, Ganapathi, Vinayaka...so many names, but is the Lord who removes obstacles. All Indians celebrate this festival. From students to farmers, business men to housewives, no one wants any obstacles in their work or life. So irrespective of caste or creed we worship, Ganesha. I love this festival. How and why it is celebrated I am going to do some posts separately.

I want to introduce to you AIKYA Handicrafts:

AIKYA Handicrafts, has been started by two sisters -Anagha and Anandita to promote pottery and painted pottery. AIKYA presents its first product. The Ganesha is hand made and hand painted. It is 7 inches tall. Each piece is different and unique.

Those who are in Bangalore can visit them here:

Aikya
90, 5th cross, R.K Layout , 
Padmanabhanagar 2nd stage,
Bangalore -  560070
Ph: 080- 26395150 

If you wish to place an order for the same, kindly send your enquires to contactaikya@gmail.com

Limited pieces ! Hurry up :) Worship Ganesha and remove all obstacles from your path....

Since they are upcoming artists, they need our support. If you can, please spread the word around by referring to my blog please.

New Look

Friends, I have changed the look of my blog. I was having problem with the old template and also got bored with it. Hope you like the new look. Any problems you are facing while going through my blog and any suggestions, please let me know. I would really appreciate that very much.....

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Flowers and Berries

Flowers N Berries Rangoli

In the center place two rows of 18 dots, then 16, 14 , 12....till 2 dots on either side. Join as shown. This Rangoli can be used on any occasion.

Happy Independence Day

I wish all my brothers and sisters of India, A very Happy Independence Day!

On 15th August 1947 India got Independence. So we celebrate every year. Not only on this occasion but also through out we remember the struggle and sacrifices of our Freedom Fighters; known and unknown heroes. We all are remember them with great devotion and respect that today we are living in freedom. 

Here are some of our most popular patriotic songs, I am going to share them with you in my posts. 

1. Jhanda Ooncha Rahe Hamara

This song was written by Shyamlal Gupta `Parshad’ and is one of the most popular patriotic songs.

Vijayi vishwa tiranga pyara, 
Jhanda ooncha rahen hamara;

Sada shakti sarsane vala, prem sudha barsane vala
Veeron ko harshane vala, matribhoomi ka tan-man sara;
Vijayi vishwa tiranga pyara,
Jhanda ooncha rahe hamara!!

Aaoo pyare veeron aaoo, desh-dharma par bali bali jao
Ek saath sab milkar gaao, pyara Bharat desh hamara;
Vijayi vishwa tiranga pyara,
Jhanda ooncha rahe hamara!!

Shaan na iski jaane paaye, chaahe jaan bale hi jaaye
Satya ki vijay kar dikhlaye, tab hove pran poorn hamaraVijayi vishwa tiranga pyara,
Jhanda ooncha rahe hamara!!

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Vande Maataram

Vande Mataram is our National song. This song was written by Shri Bankim Chandra Chatopadhyaya also known as Bankim Chandra Chaterji a famous novelist and poet. The author in his novel "Anadamath" visualised Maa Durga as Bharata Mata and wrote this song as salutation to her mostly in Sanskrit with some Bengali words.

It was first sung by Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore at Indian National Congress of 1896. This song played an important role in the Indian Freedom Movement. The first two verses were official declared as national song in the year 1950 when India became a Republic. 

In the year 2002 when BBC World Service conducted an international poll to choose top ten most famous songs of all time, out of the 7000 songs selected across the world Vande Maataram was second in top ten songs. 

The beauty of this song is that as a child when I used to hear my mother, grandmother and aunts singing this song, I always thought that this was a Telugu song. Telugu also contains many Sanskrit words.

This song is generally song in this fashion-a beautiful soft and peaceful melody, very gentle on the soul.

But I like the version sung by Lata Mangeshkar-Nightingale of India in the film AnadMath. I love the way it was filmed too. It gives me goosebumps every time I hear it or see it.

I am giving the lyrics and its translation by Sri Aurobindo, Indian nationalist, freedom fighter, philosopher, poet, yogi and guru.

Original Song

Vande maataram Vande maataram!!

Sujalam suphalam malayaja sheetalam
Shasyashyamalam maataram!!
Vande maataram!!

Shubhra jyotsna pulakitayaaminim
phulla kusumita drumadalashobhinim
suhaasinim sumadhurabhaashhinim
sukhadaam varadaam maataram
Vande Maataram!!

Sapta koti kantha kalakalaninaada
karale nisapta koti bhujaidhruta
karakarvale abalakeno maa eto bale
bahubaladhaarinim namaami tarinim
ripudalavarinim maataram, vande maataram
Vande Maataram!!

Tvam hi durga dashapraharanadhaarini
kamala kamaladala vihaarini
vaani vidyaadaayini, namaami tvam
namaami kamalam amalam atulam
sujalam suphalam maataram
shyamalam saralam susmitam bhooshhitam
dharinim bharanim maataram, vande maataram
Vande Maataram!!

Translation by Sri Aurobindo 

Mother, I bow to thee! 

Rich with thy hurrying streams, 
bright with orchard gleams, 
Cool with thy winds of delight, 
Dark fields waving Mother of might, 
Mother free.

Glory of moonlight dreams, 
Over thy branches and lordly streams, 
Clad in thy blossoming trees, 
Mother, giver of ease 
Laughing low and sweet! 
Mother I kiss thy feet, 
Speaker sweet and low! 
Mother, to thee I bow.

Who hath said thou art weak in thy lands 
When the sword flesh out in the seventy million hands 
And seventy million voices roar 
Thy dreadful name from shore to shore? 
With many strengths who art mighty and stored, 
To thee I call Mother and Lord! 
Though who saves, arise and save! 
To her I cry who ever her foeman drove 
Back from plain and Sea 
And shook herself free.
Thou art wisdom, thou art law, 
Thou art heart, our soul, our breath 
Though art love divine, the awe 
In our hearts that conquers death. 
Thine the strength that nervs the arm, 
Thine the beauty, thine the charm. 
Every image made divine 
In our temples is but thine.

Thou art Durga, Lady and Queen, 
With her hands that strike and her 
swords of sheen, 
Thou art Lakshmi lotus-throned, 
And the Muse a hundred-toned, 
Pure and perfect without peer, 
Mother lend thine ear, 
Rich with thy hurrying streams, 
Bright with thy orchard gleems, 
Dark of hue O candid-fair
In thy soul, with jewelled hair 
And thy glorious smile divine, 
Lovilest of all earthly lands, 
Showering wealth from well-stored hands! 
Mother, mother mine! 
Mother sweet, I bow to thee, 
Mother great and free!

Some more in my next posts.....Keep an eye...

Quilled Jewellery

Danglers

I have already told you in one of my previous posts that I am now concentrating on creating jewellery. This is my first attempt at quilled jewellery. I still need some patience and practise. 

Quilled Danglers

I did not use the Circle template board and so got the petals in different sizes. Well I am impatient when I am creating some new things.

I will keep you posted of my new creations. Keep an eye on my blog....

Quilled Rakhi

Today Sravana Poornima-(full moon day of month named Sravana) is celebrated as Raksha Bandhan in Northern India. Sisters tie Rakhi (silk or cotton thread) on the right wrist  of the brothers, seeking their protection and love life long . Sisters also pray for happiness and well being of their brothers.

The silk or cotton thread can be as simple as a thread. They can also be made of silver, gold and other precious gems depending on the budget and taste. These days one can see Rakhis of many designs. Many young girls and women make their own Rakhis and it is an art in it self.

Well I was very busy yesterday with Vara Lakshmi Pooja. Then I had to run around on various errands. At the end of the day, when I went shopping for Rakhis, I could not find one that interested me and they were also costly.


So today morning I made this. Well I had to manage with whatever material was available in my work basket. 

These are the materials I used. A piece of cord left over from one of my projects, two circular (not exactly) pieces of card stock, some quilling paper, a piece of satin ribbon and glue. 


First I made some tear drop shaped petals of yellow coloured strips. Then I made one tight coil from two strips of light brown shade to form the inner coil and one strip of dark brown shade on the out side. One green coloured strip was used for leaf.


First I stuck up the two circles. Then I stuck the center brown coil to it, followed by the petals by using glue on the base (card stock), on the sides of coil as well as the petals.


But then I felt that the base was not strong enough. Then I stuck the cord on the other side of card stock in circular shape.

Then I stuck the green satin ribbon (just enough to tie on the wrist). I placed this piece under a heavy book so that everything  properly sticks together.

 This is the Sunflower Quilled Rakhi. I tied it on my brother's wrist.

I could have done better, like decorating it further, but I din't have any time at all. May be I will explore this idea more and post my experiments.


Hope you like it. 

Quilled Shapes-7

Heart Scroll

Take a strip of quilling paper. Length, colour and width can be according to your requirement.  Mark the center. Fold the center. Roll each end towards inside, by using quilling needle or tooth pick. 

After removing from the tool let the coils settle down according to your choice. Use tooth pick or pin to arrange the coils. Adjust the shape of the heart by adjusting the coils.Both coils touch each other.

The size of the heart can be varied. The size of the coils can be same or different. The coils can be tight and fill the entire heart shape or can have one, two or required number of rolls according to the requirement. The coils can be glued together or left loose. One coil can be smaller than the other.

I have posted two variations above. I will be posting more once the basic shapes are finished with.


I am busy making quilled jewellery . I will also posting once the basics are over.


So keep an eye on my blog.