Wonders of terracotta

Do you know what sustainable jewelry is? You may be acquainted with eco-friendly apparel and décor, but stylish, handcrafted, eco-friendly jewelry that goes well with both western and ethnic attire is also in style. As more people embrace sustainability, terracotta jewelry—which is made from natural clay via an artistic process—is becoming more and more popular. To find out more about this new trend, we spoke with terracotta designers in the city.

Indian terracotta has a long history of usage in home construction, artistic objects, and roof tiles. It now manifests itself in jewelry. Terracotta jewelry is distinct from traditional jewelry in a few respects, according to Zumkhi’s creator and terracotta jewelry designer, Uma Macherla. “It is composed of natural clay, is gentle on the skin, and doesn’t irritate or produce rashes on the skin. Natural clay also lowers body temperature, which is an additional advantage of this kind of jewelry.

The technique of making clay jewelry is labor-intensive and time-consuming. The creator of Trendz Terracotta jewelry, Jaya Mehta, explains further: “First, the clay is ready for creation. After that, the clay is shaped into a variety of shapes, such as beads and elaborate cuts, to create the jewelry. After assembly, these parts are given two to three days to dry. They go through a 24-hour burning procedure once they have dried. The pieces are cleaned and painted after firing. The jewelry must be put together, polished, and ready for packing as the last stages. It takes a minimum of seven days to make even the most basic piece of clay jewelry.

She continues by saying that common household items like cookie cutters, pens, caps, and refills are often used to start from scratch while creating terracotta jewelry. Anything with a texture may make an impact and help with the creative process. Other instruments needed in the process include sculpting and pottery equipment as well as professional molds that may be purchased. “I use a range of techniques to incorporate color and texture into my designs of terracotta jewelry.” Every artwork is painted by me by hand using colorful, premium colors.

Mehta Jaya
To give the jewelry a polished, long-lasting quality, each item is meticulously cleaned and then coated with a glaze or varnish. This gives the finished product a protective covering in addition to enhancing its color and texture. “Working with terracotta is highly sustainable, as it is a natural, biodegradable material that has minimal environmental impact,” she says, highlighting the sustainability side of terracotta jewelry. As an artist, this is in line with my principles. I work hard to make stunning jewelry while keeping the environment in mind. My work is based on the fundamental belief that using eco-friendly methods will help to maintain traditional craftsmanship while also fostering a more sustainable future.

She said, “The response from Hyderabad, across India, and even globally has been overwhelmingly positive,” when questioned about the trend for terracotta jewelry in Hyderabad. I wasn’t sure how people would respond when I began sharing my work on social media sites like Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest, but I was blown away by the love and support I received. I recall getting notes from folks expressing their admiration for my collections and designs. I get great satisfaction in my work as a terracotta jewelry artisan when I have moments like this.

A Macherla Uma
There are obstacles on every voyage, no matter how enjoyable it is. “When I started making terracotta jewellery 13 years ago, it was a real challenge, especially in Hyderabad where the concept was relatively unknown,” Jaya said, highlighting a few moments from her journey as a terracotta jewellery designer. Because there was nothing readily accessible locally, we had to do a thorough investigation of both local marketplaces and other areas, which made material sourcing quite challenging. Online buying wasn’t an option back then, which added to the process’ complexity.

But things have changed for the better. Since COVID, almost everything can now be found online, greatly simplifying the procedure. With the introduction of UPI and other digital means, payments have also grown simpler, doing away with the necessity for in-person bank visits for transfers. Our operations have been greatly simplified as a result of this change, and it is now much easier to get the resources we need from anywhere in the globe.