The WorldFinds program supports women and girls in vulnerable communities in India, empowering them through fair trade. In supplying work for over 700 women and supporting the education of girls within their communities, we unite in uplifting women through their crafts.
The Kantha jewellery range is a product of this program, featuring unique pieces hand-crafted by local female artisans. Each piece is upcycled from cotton saris, with beads spun from recycled wood in beautiful bright colours and styles.
We are so pleased to share this beautiful jewellery and to work exclusively with WorldFinds is so exciting. Supporting these artisans in a country that is suffering from Covid-19 is our small gesture in helping them continue their work. Please beware of imitation jewellery and make sure that you see the WorldFinds swing ticket attached to this jewellery. Let's support these talented women and enjoy this beautiful jewellery xx
- Donna Guest, CEO & Creative Director
THE PROCESS
Kantha quilts are a traditional textile found in abundance in India. They are made from layers of worn cotton saris, sewn together with a distinctive, allover running stitch. Artisans transform the fabric scraps into beads for jewellery, which provides new life to a textile that is often discarded.
Artisans then hand cover each wooden bead with a colourful piece of Kantha fabric, attaching them securely with a safe adhesive. Excess fabric is trimmed off, and the bead is complete.
Each Kantha bead has a base made of wood, carved out of scraps gathered from a local furniture factory. We, and the artisans, love sustainable sourcing!
Once a number of beads have been crafted, they are strung together into a necklace, wrapped with wire and added into a cuff bracelet, or transformed into an earring, often incorporating modern elements like metallic paillettes, brass metal accent beads, or mixed-metal seed beads.