shawl-pins trinity

The beautiful shawl-pins designed by Belinda and made by 5 artisan makers in India. MEASUREMENTS: width 9cm, the pin stick: 13cm long at the widest point. Each shawl-pin comes wrapped up safely in its own little organza bag; irresistible and with a turned wooden stick-pin.

 

Please go to my Etsy shop to see shawl pins - thank you

 

THE STORY BEHIND THE MAKING

Belinda's Irish grandfather (a band-leader) travelled to India to work for the East India Company. Belinda's father (sadly he died in 2010) was a Captain in the Indian Army in WWII (and later Acting Major), he met and married Belinda's mother in India. Belinda's mother calls herself a ‘child of the Raj’ (Anglo-Indian).

This is a truly magical place. The hubbub of the making area is incredible. I watched delicate kites being made and huge effigies (Kali and Ganesh) being carved out of wood and carved in plaster, the most delicate painted clay vases which had been turned, not on wheels but on round stones – turned fast by the maker’s feet as they crouch down low.

We were thrilled to find an amazing company making wooden artefacts in Kolkatta.  We spoke to them about developing our unique designs and this is what you see here.

We are grateful to these skilled makers for their kindness. Their company is based in the principles of fair trade.

Mummy in India in the 1940s - singing at the Oberoi Grand Hotel, Kolkata.

The beautiful soft

warm tones of wood

make these

shawl pins

uniquely special;

not one is the same.

 

Please note due to the nature of the material these shawl pins will vary in tone and colour, there will be dark and light patches (some mottled), some will have natural features that look like 'imperfections' but are in fact characteristic of the woods used.

 

THE PROCESS; being made


Made in India exclusively for Belinda Harris-Reid

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