Chennai Weekend - My New Hobby
March 3, 2008
Bead Jewellery Making, yes…. Bead Jewellery making is my new hobby.I crossed some sites over the web while surfing and i could stop myself from trying out this popular hobby. I searched over the web for availability of materials in chennai and i couldn’t find any. I found 2-3 persons in chennai taking classes over the weekends but i could not find time and also it was not my style of jewellery (Kundhan Jewellery).Last Weekend, I finally took time off to pick some yarn for the table doiley i was crocheting. I headed to “Raja Thread Stores” off Ranganathan street in T.Nagar. It was closed as it was sunday and thats where i hit the jack pot. I dropped into “Pandian Thread Store” which is opposite to “Raja Thread Stores” and picked up the yarn. I asked the sales woman in my primitive tamil for a ear loop, as she could not understand me, i had to drew it on paper - she told that for any jewellery making stuff i have to go to first floor…. I could belive my ears Jewellery Making Stuff … that too in chennai… 
And there is… A whole section is dedicated to these items. Head Pins, Eye Pins, Spacer Beads, Bead Caps, Lots of Beads, Tiger Tail ( which is called “Gear Wire” locally), Hoops, Ear Posts, Ear loops, other knicks and knacks. Most of the other stuff is for making the Artificial Kundhan Sets, but with a bit of imagination, they can be accomodated into bead jewellery. All the small Items are sold my weight and Large Beads, Ear Posts, Ear Hoops, Ear hooks are sold by number. They dont have a “nose plier” and “flush cutter” i was looking for.. Its out-of-stock!!!!!! So I went into “Saravana Stores” across the street, got into their tools section and got a pair of “nose pliers” ( The one used by electricians :-)). Though its not as fine as the one used for jewellery making… I am so desperate to start, I bought it.
I spent around 100RS on whole, of which 1/3 is for the Plier. I think it is pretty reasonable.
Here are Photos of my findings and the first pair that i made. The beads used are picked from a gypsy on the local train.
The owner of this pair is my friend at office, who loved it and couldn’t belive that i made it……
March 5, 2008 at 9:57 pm
Wow! Pretty Earrings. I take classes in jewellery making too. Of course, as you mentioned the kundan type. But, i guess if you learn the basics in that, the bead type becomes much easy. Also, if you could spare the time, visit OSWAL stores at PArrys corner. There, you get lovely beads, sequins for fancy stuff. Btw, your earring looks nice, although it needs a little bit of tweezing in the end.
March 9, 2008 at 10:34 am
Hi Archana,
Thanks for the compliments….
I will definitely visit oswal stores in parrys. I am still not comfortable moving around in chennai, but my mom-in-law was mentioning about making a trip to parrys. Can you tell me where exactly this store is located in parrys?
Yes I can see that the earrings are not so finely crafted… its my first time and also the pliers am using are not so fine. May be as you said i should attend a class in jewellery making.
March 15, 2008 at 5:32 pm
So glad I came across this blog of yours. I’m not one to usually do anything on the net except check my email, and facebook,…. but today I happened to have time and decided to try out a google search….
I myself am a potter, and I used to make ceramic beads and terracotta jewellery some years back. I have in all these years in Chennai, never managed to find the backing posts for the stud type earing. I myself don’t wear too many hanging earings, and love to make flat beads, which need the flat ear posts, not rings, or loops. I think I need to make a trip to Ranganathan street.
March 17, 2008 at 7:03 pm
Hi Kaveri….
I saw your other comment also… Thanks a lot for the information on the art material.
I think you should visit Ranganathan street if you are planning to make some ear studs. Do you have a blog or some of your art work online…. i would love to check them.
March 24, 2008 at 2:22 pm
Hi!
I loved ur blog on beads and came upon it in a search for findings myself. There are not many options for findings in chennai but you can try out some hobby stores. I would love to learn more about ceramic bead-making from you if you can drop me a mail or reply to my comment.
Tools are very important to get the best finish and you Must invest in the best, try asking a friend to get you some from abroad if you cant find any at the local hobby stores here. There are several ref I go to refresh and learn from time to time, and if you like we can share notes from time to time.
All the best and enjoy beading away your spare time!
March 24, 2008 at 10:31 pm
Hi,
Thanks for dropping by….
Will try to see if i can get some tools from abroad.
Will surely enjoy the time beading
April 10, 2008 at 5:39 pm
I tried making some jewelry myself and I am hooked! No beads, no stones,; none of that for me. I made paper quilled jewelry. Take a look at my creations at http://www.flickr.com/photos/25296963@N02/
April 16, 2008 at 10:51 pm
Hi!
Have lost your email ID and been meaning to reply to you. Have some ideas for on you where you can get some things to continue your new hobby. And for crochet, coincidentally am trying out a small handbag myself and need help since am not too great at it!! Have designs for you if you like. Let me know!
May 26, 2008 at 11:32 am
Check that link out - Sakhi
June 16, 2008 at 4:29 pm
hi,
I saw your earrings. It was so cute. I also went for jewellry making classed and made some necklaces for my daughter.
I see some screw type of thing in your picture, What is that and what we can make out of it?
Thanks
Jothi
June 17, 2008 at 10:20 pm
Hi Jothi,
The ear-hook i bought was designed like that, i didnt make anything.
by the way thanks a lot for the comments. I have been thinking of taking some jewellery making classes, but never got around.
June 18, 2008 at 11:40 pm
hi,
thanks for the reply.
As you said, I am also thinking of taking some classes but time and ideas are not working out.
One more thing, I am interested in making jewelery but not getting idea about the designs.
Do you know whether there is any website having sample designs
Thanks and regards,
Jothi
June 29, 2008 at 1:06 pm
Thankyou for your useful writings. I am collecting information about arts & crafts. write more…
regards
Bhagavathy