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Buy Vintage Indian Jewellery - Little Known Facts About Kutch Tribal Silver

5/9/2014

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PictureVintage silver neckpiece would look great on a simple black ribbon
Adorn! Buying vintage Indian jewellery was my first passion when I began visiting Kutch.
Tribal silver, made by the Rabari was my favourite, and I spent days seeking out the best; earrings, toe rings,  pendants, amulets and anklets.
In my past life, in Australia, I was a gold only girl! But why let a silly 'rule' like that stop you from enjoying so much wonderful stuff....I needed to re-ascess! 
Since living in India, I've come to know that everything people wear; colour, metal type, design and size all carry a particular significance, and are not worn for decoration alone.




In Vedic culture, gold is never worn below the waist. Gold, a popular choice for earrings and necklaces is believed to enhance the wearer with positive electricity....And silver has properties that re direct that energy back to the body, so silver is used in anklets and bangles to stop that positve electricity from escaping! The proctective qualities are further enhanced by the addition of sound. As the jangle of several bangles worn together or bells on your anklets gives off a warning sign to negative energies present in the atmostphere to keep away.
A babies first gift will be amulets and other adornment to aid their path in life, a woman wears different jewellery after marriage to benefit the new union, and a widowed woman wears little jewellery and is distinguished by wearing pale, pastel colours.
A pendant thats square in shape will aid the wearers material comforts, triangular shapes will highten your sprituality, a nose piercing will make childbirth easier, eases breathing diffulcties or you can donate one if wishing for a girl child!
These are just the tip of the iceberg....but needless to say, a facinating field of study and one that can justify almost any purchase!
I love shopping for genuine Kutchi silver...a quality of silver thats traditionaly been highly prized for it's purity. It make a fabulous gift, or as a treat to oneself, if you love tribal jewellery. I've lived in Kutch a long time now and know the best from the ordinary.....If you'd like me to find you something special, something beautiful, that comes from a fascinating culture and is handmade and interesting, let me find an item of special significance for you now! 




Some  links to further reading that may interest you -
http://www.astro-vani.com/blog/importance-of-jewelry/
ndyas.hpage.co.in/unknow-facts-about-hindu-religion_9526511.html
http://bapujirishiprasad.blogspot.in/2009/05/importance-of-indian-traditions.html

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Handmade Quilts from Kutch

5/3/2014

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PictureVintage quilts from Kutch adorn my office!
Since discovering Kutch, vintage quilts have become a constant in my life all year round.
They have simply so many different uses!
Right now, it's the middle of summer in Bhuj, and with the tempreture sitting on 42-43 degrees everyday, keeping ones house cool is of primary concern.
I rise early and the mornings are divine, but by 7.30 the sun is hot, and streams thru my front windows. So this time of year, my quilt collection is hanging! They cover all my windows during the day, and are so effective at reducing the heat, I need to only use my air conditioner occasionally and certainly not all day long!
During winter, I used the same quilts on the bed and also covering over my old sofa and as throws and knee rugs. They are so visually pleasing, and such an easy way to vary my decor from day to day.



All the different communities in Kutch make quilts! Every village home has a big pile of them and they are a favourite wedding gift amongst other handmade items for newly weds. Quilts are usually made by older women, those eyesight is not what it once was, and can no longer make the beautiful embroideries they made in their youth. 
The quilts are filled with cotton after the outer design has been completed, and the 'sandwich' of filling and cloth finally all held together with small running stitches. These quilts are not light weight like the famous Rajhasthani 'Kantha' quilts....they are much more robust and last for generations!
My favourites? I love the quilts of the Meghwal community from the Bani area in the northern villages of Kutch. They use reverse patchwork to make very colourful quilts, and the designs are bold! 
I love the way they change over time too. A recently made or rarely used quilt will be brighter than one thats been washed and hung in the sun to dry many times....over time these become more muted in colour, and are perfect for 'shabby' beachouse decor. 
I am lucky to have such a wide range of different vintage patchwork quilts to chose from....But if you'd like a beautiful quilt of your own, direct from a Kutchi village, please contact me! The handicrafts of Kutch are my specialist area, and shopping to order easily done. I can give you all the details you need, plus heaps of photos. You'll get the perfect quilt to suit your home, that can be enjoyed in so many different ways!








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    I am Lisa Hall, an Australian fashion designer living in Kutch, India.
    My label, Madame Hall makes makes gypsy inspired clothing for women who  want 'something different'

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