After walking away from a 30-year-old teaching career, Saraswathi Vasudevan decided to open a jewellery store, Tejas. “I always had an innate interest in craft and used to design dance jewellery for my daughters. There came a point when I realised that I must to do something that I really loved and that is how I started the store,” says Saraswathi, who was a maths teacher with Holy Angels School (ISC) in the city.
She adds: “I travelled across the country to know about different kinds of jewellery and identified our sources. A highlight is that almost 90 per cent of the jewellery in my collection has been made by women artisans who don’t know how to market their products.”
The jewellery collection includes pieces in terracotta, tribal ornaments, eco-friendly accessories, temple jewellery, black metal embellishments, Kundan… The pieces have been sourced from places in Karnataka, Maharashtra, Delhi, and Rajasthan among others.
As her shop at Chalakuzhy Road completes five years, the entrepreneur showcases a special collection to celebrate the occasion. So step into the shop on November 23 and check out the Mayuri collection featuring a wide range of jewellery with peacock motifs in myriad colours.
The anniversary collection has some specially designed products, such as jewellery with the royal Rajwada designs from Rajasthan. Heavy designs, meant for occasions such as weddings, come in pendant sets, heavy and light necklaces, choker sets, long chains and kadas (bangles). They have Kundan stone work accentuated with paintings or Meenakari work, says Saraswathi.
There is an exclusive counter displaying elaborate neckwear and jhumkas. “We have the sought-after polymer clay jhumkas and peacock pendants in peacock hues, which is a limited edition. The designs are by Tanmaya in Kochi. Also in the collection are terracotta jewellery by Aakaar. All these designs have been made specially for our anniversary and none will be repeated,” she adds.
Stone necklace sets and peacock kadas from Surat will also be available. Prices start from Rs. 200. The sale is from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Contact: 9447001722.