Ritu's Blog

Põshmaal is a romantic collection of one-of-a-kind and limited edition beadwork jewelry. Each piece is hand-crafted by artist and designer Ritu Sharan in her small atelier nestled in the Mission Hills of Fremont. Her jewelry is inspired by the tradition of beadwork, the romance of past eras, the intriguing patina of age on vintage materials, and the contrast of textures and colors created by combining the softness of fibers with the sparkle and richness of gemstones and metal.

What: Hand Made Jewelry Exhibition  

When:  December 3, 2011

Where: Lucie Stern Community Center (Fireside Room)
1305 Middlefield Road
Palo Alto CA 94304

Time: 6:30PM - 9:30PM 

RSVP: 510-386-0992 or ritu@ritusharan.com

After my jewelry collection was ready, I wanted to launch it online. I was looking for photographers and models for the jewelry. 

Erin, a friend, stylist and a kind soul always inspired me. She has classic beauty and reflects the classic beauty of a real women. She was my choice and I am thankful to her for agreeing to be the face that launches my first collection. 

Teressa, another friend, successful business women, owner of Aveda Salon (Fremont, CA) helped with makeup and assisted me shoot. Here is a shot of them at work. 

My son and my husband also assisted with the shoot. 

Without all the generous help, it would not be possible. 

Finally, after a long search, I selected myself to do the photo-shoot! Hope you like them. 

(Teressa applying makeup to Erin at the shoot)

Here is how I started making handmade jewlery.. I saw this most beautiful handmade necklace in show window of bead-store. I was astonished! What a beauty! What hard-work! It was so unique and nothing close to something one may find in a mall or any other store. I bought everything I could. Taught myself through pictures and searched every town or city near and far. Hunted for jewelry-makers to give me private classes. Then I found two amazing ladies: Renee and Rae. They encouraged me and taught me jewelry-making. I love to indulge in any creative art form. First I was just beading but now I am into stringing, wire, fusing, gems & crystals. When I started ritu sharan studios last year, the plan was to launch something beautiful, handcrafted ever year. So here we go...

I dig into my imagination to find the image, not an impression of any one photo or an experience. I take a journey and peel back layers of my subconscious imagination. Each stage of the painting below is a layer insearch of the image from my imagination. Some layers are easier than others. But mostly it is a challenge.

I have taken pictures of each stage to show how many layers of images that I had to paint, before the final painting emerged. Its a beautiful journey, at times mind wrecking, but greatly rewarding.

Painting from imagination shows the individuality of the artist and the power of the subconscious mind. 

"Imagination
You are deathless, birthless, 
You are the infinite spirit."

Pictures of how the painting evolved:

Stage 1	Stage 2	Stage 3
Stage 4	Stage 5	Final