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Ritu Thapar
"My father was in the Air Force and he was constantly transferred to different places in India, so I had the opportunity to travel around our country. Staying is different states was a really fun experience as I was exposed to different cultures and traditions.
<br><br>"After graduating from the Jesus and Mary College in Delhi I started working for different companies in various capacities. I worked for more than 10 years and during this time I also got married and had a beautiful daughter. I continued working after my daughter was born but soon realized that I was not able to give any time to my daughter, and this was really killing me inside so I gave up my job to take care her.
<br><br>"Seeing me sitting at home, my husband and friends encouraged me to do something from home so that I could take care of my daughter and at the same time do something which would keep me occupied when she was not around.
<br><br>"I had no idea what to do until one day, when I was strolling through Delhi Haat - a crafts bazaar from different parts of the country - and saw amazing terracotta jewelry. I instantly fell in love with it. I have always loved jewelry and I have an eye for detail, so when I saw this beautiful creation I was mesmerized. I bought and kept the jewelry with me then one day I found an online course which taught terracotta jewelry making. I was so excited that I took up the course. I started making a piece or two which all my friends and family liked.
<br><br>"However the course only taught me the basics, I was not really satisfied and wanted to learn more. I happened to meet this fine art teacher who already knew this craft. Noticing my enthusiasm she agreed to teach me the finer details of designing this art. I absorbed every single detail of this art and slowly started creating my own designs.
<br><br>"Terracotta jewelry is crafted with clay which is procured from the river bed. After the piece is ready, it is baked in the oven and then hand-painted with vibrant colors and finally varnished with toxic-free lacquer.
<br><br>"After learning the art, I started making few pieces and tried showing them in exhibitions here in Delhi. At first the response was not very great but I didn't lose hope and continued with my passion for jewelry making. Then one day I got a call from someone down south who had seen my pieces and really appreciated my art, and placed an order for his stores. I was so excited and this perhaps is the starting point of my journey into this beautiful world of jewelry artistry.
<br><br>"Since it is been difficult to manage everything on my own, I've been able to offer work to young enthusiasts keen to learn this art. After training them I offered them work. I also started teaching this craft to a few women from rural backgrounds. They make simpler beads while the more creative works are done by young talented artists.
<br><br>"I create most of the designs. I have been designing and making jewelry since 2011 but I haven't been able to afford my own kiln since requires a lot of capital. For now, I hire a kiln to bake my jewelry but I hope very soon to have my own.
<br><br>"My daughter inspires me a great deal. Whenever I work she likes to create something with her clay and she will bring it to me saying, 'Mommy, see what I have made. You can use it in your jewelry!'
<br><br>"I love my work and it is mentally and emotionally very satisfying to see a lump of clay take such beautiful proportions. I get a lot of inspiration from nature and from things around me. We have a collection called the Temple Jewellery featuring pendants shaped like Hindu gods and goddesses.
<br><br>"One day I would surely like to have my own manufacturing unit and create beautiful jewelry under one roof."
