Right from making paper to creating beautiful jewelry, wood is truly a versatile product of nature. One can see many exquisitely carved designs being created out of wood.
Elegant and unconventional wooden jewelry has been a trending accessory for a long time now. It’s lightweight, easy to work with, abundant as a natural material which makes it one of the most sought after jewelry. It is not only economical but also has various attractive designs, it has become quite a trend globally as well.
The heritage of wood work jewelry is quite rich. Throughout the world different regions and tribes have kept their unique style of jewelry intact even now. The Bastar tribes from Madhya Pradesh are known for their traditional ornaments in wood and other locally found metals. The various tribes of North East have their own special versions of wooden jewelry.
In Jammu and Kashmir along the second most popular craft done in this state after carpet weaving is wooden work made from the Walnut wood. Boxes, trunks and furniture with exquisite carving are an art lover’s delight! The women make exquisite jewelry that is carved out of wood. Afterward, they are covered with lacquer and beautiful designs are woven with threads. The designs are geometrical and the motifs are incorporated by weaving techniques.
Wooden jewelry technique involves working in the direction of the grain or across it, but never against the grain since it will lead to cracks forming in the wood. By using a gouge ( the curved blade that chips away at the wood) the wood is cut closer down to the desired size. Wood is the ideal material for enhancing the beauty of semi-precious gemstones such as amber, coral, turquoise, citrine and quartz.
Wooden beads in multiples shades with intricately carved pendants go with casual as well as semi-formal wear. Hand carved jewelry in synthesis with organic materials like bone, ivory and bamboo are unique and are extremely eye-catching. Like all the greatest pieces of fashion, wooden jewelry personifies a creative clash of designs. Each piece of jewelry is fretsaw to shape and then individually carved by hand. Wooden jewelry is surprisingly lightweight, so some of the larger designs are suitable for people who do not usually like heavy pieces. Wood artist harmoniously combines different types of exotic wood to create original and unique fashion earrings that are a synthesis of elegance and modern design. Modern, elegant and contemporary workmanship make the handmade earrings veritable work of art. The unique design brings out the beauty.
Wooden costume jewelry is available in different finish including antique and is embellished with beads, cut glass and semi-precious gems and stones for a distinctive look. A sure winner is the collection of tribal-inspired necklaces in bold bright and exotic edge which goes really well with any dress.
Ever in demand are the wooden bangles, rings, earrings, pendants and necklaces in both contemporary and an eclectic mix.
With its ability to be warming in winter, and cooling in summer, its professional and aesthetically stylish appearance yet its utility (for example, it can be folded and tucked to be shorter), the saree developed to be the most suitable attire for women. This is precisely the reason it is donned by rich and poor alike.
While there exist a professional or classical style of draping a saree, there are more than 80 variations of it across the subcontinent. Variations also exist depending on the kind of fabric, as well as on methods of weaving that have been used. Hence there are the tie-dye Bandhani sarees, Chanderi cotton sarees and the numerous silk saree varieties including the Kanchipuram, Banarasi and Mysore sarees.
In many cultures, a red sari is the traditional outfit of choice for married ladies to be worn in the initial days of their wedding. But light, pastel tones featuring washed-out, vintage-inspired floral prints are currently in vogue.
The most recent designs trends feature wallpaper-style floral skirts, paired with embellished silk blouses and bedazzled scarves.
The all round development of textiles in Pakistan had a definite impact on the design of sarees. Paisleys used on shawls, figures from Jamawar weaves, floral patterns and bird and animal motifs used in brocades – all these slowly acquired the status of traditional saree motifs. Similarly, colours that became popular include peacock coloured shot silks, shiny-spun muslins in the purples of the aubergines, sunshine yellow jacquards, moon glow silk chiffons and the dusky rose coloured raw silks.
Even in the modern age, women continue to buy sarees with great enthusiasm, especially during festivals and wedding seasons. The saree remains as one of the world’s oldest and perhaps the only surviving unstitched garment from the past. Over the millennia, it has become a sensuous, glamorous all-time-wear for women.
