Bohemian touch to modern attire

Once the pieces have been baked, they are ready for colouring. Jennifer uses acrylic paint which she also buys from Indian suppliers.

EyE-CAtChing DEsigns

The hand-painting process is also timeconsuming, especially if a necklace or earring has intricate details.

One needs a steady hand and a good eye. Jennifer says one must also know how to modify instantly if a mistake is made.

Traditionally metallic colours like gold or bronze are used for terracotta jewellery but Jennifer uses a rainbow palette on her pieces to make them pop.

After colouring, the pieces have to be dried again for one more day and then varnished before they are ready to be assembled.

The varnishing ensures that the pieces don’t lose their colour and last longer.

Many of the necklaces can be worn both long or as chokers. Jennifer uses chains made of rope, thread or metal with adjustable hooks. Some pieces come adorned with tiny coloured beads or stones while others stand out with their beautifully handpainted patterns.

While these necklaces may look heavy and chunky, they are actually very light.

Jennifer says this is due to the “firing” process that the pieces undergo. At the first stage, when it is sun-dried, the clay loses some of its moisture and becomes light. After baking/firing, even more moisture is A striking gold coloured necklace in a traditional design.

lost, making it very light.

“Some customers have metal allergies or allergies to costume jewellery so for these people, I make pieces which are purely from terracotta with no embellishments from other materials.”

She also makes stud earrings and jhimiki (traditional Indian dangling earrings).

The jhimikis have a fun, vibrant look and will certainly appeal to women who want to add a bohemian touch to modern attire.

The earrings also go well with traditional Indian attire such as the salwar kameez

Bright colours add to the appeal of terracotta jewellery.

Jennifer moulds the clay into desired shapes.

or saree.

Besides terracotta, Jennifer also fashions jewellery from air dried clay. Although working with air-dried clay is a much quicker process compared with terracotta, jewellery made from terracotta tends to be more durable because the clay is baked.

In comparison air-dried clay only needs to be sun dried for 24 hours before painting.

Jennifer, who hopes to open her own studio specialising in terracotta jewellery, is also planning a visit to Bangalore,

Bring out the peacock in you.

India soon to learn more about terracotta jewellery and how craftsmen there are approaching the trade.

She also plans to start classes for Malaysians who are interested in taking up the craft. “This is a beautiful art form and there’s so much to learn and appreciate and share with others.”

Jni’s Diva Handmade offers terracotta jewellery priced from RM10.90 to RM200 and air-dried clay jewellery from RM10.90 to RM150.

For more information, go to facebook. com/jnisdiva

Instagram: @jnisdivahandmade