BENGALURU: Paper jewellery is the newest thing you can put into your jewellery box. And you can get your very own paper earrings from Neela and her husband K Senthil Kumaran. Residents of Siddapura, (Jayanagar 1st block), 25-year-old Neela is a passionate and a family-oriented person with four kids and a love for all things creative. Neela has done a beauty course and also learnt the art of paper jewellery with the help of her husband, who works as a financial advisor at Janalamxmi Financial Services.
“I was always proud that my wife is creative and wanted to encourage her. There was a community development programme through the NGO Purple Pause that was organised by Jana Urban Foundation, where they conducted classes on paper jewellery for eight days. I enrolled my wife into this class and very soon she was making jewllery of her own,” says Senthil. Exploring her inner artistic talent, Neela took it further by bringing in more creativity to her designs.
This has now become a business for her. “I didn’t realise that my jewellery was in such demand until the neighbours kept asking for more. I started with jhumkas and now I make them in all colours and sizes along with finger rings which are made out of paper. Everything costs in the range of Rs 30 and Rs 120,” says Neela.
She has taken that extra effort of teaching and sharing her art with a few housewives residing in the area. “I teach them the jewellery technique, at their convenience. If they have created some good jewellery, I also buy it from them. I feel proud that what I considered just a hobby has added to our household income. All thanks to my husband, who has constantly encouraged me,” she says.
Senthil, in order to find ways to explore his wife’s jewellery art, took to the streets of Jayanagar, where he displayed the earrings on a small piece of thermocol like a regular vendor and started selling them.
Apparently, he is also doing research across Bangalore to get customer feedback on the products.
“I have done my BCom, MS and Master of Social Work specialising in human resources. Marketing my wife’s jewellery will be done after my working hours. I have completed my research around Jayanagar. My next target area is near Forum Mall followed by MG Road and Brigade Road. I am just exploring a route to make it a big business. I am still to learn how I can take this online,” he says.