- Navin Prashasthi Kaluarachchi on making and selling hand-crafted jewellery
By Venessa Anthony
Hobbies are a great way to occupy oneself when one is faced with too much downtime – and if you’re really good at one in particular, then there’s ample opportunity to turn it into a successful money-making venture. This is what Navin Prashasthi Kaluarachchi did when he began making and selling handmade jewellery. He launched his brand Accessory Fort both online and offline, and retails at a few leading luxury stores in the country.
The Morning Brunch reached out to Kaluarachchi to learn more about his business and the art of handmade jewellery.
When I was reading for my bachelor’s degree in design at the Faculty of Architecture at University of Moratuwa, there was a community uplifting project based on Sri Lankan craft. For that project we chose a craft community in Radawadunna, Weweldeniya and we explored their technique as well as traditional designs. Then we tried to develop their designs and finally organised an exhibition and a fashion show called “Refined Cane” at Park Street Mews, in collaboration with Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing (SLIM).
After that project I was seeking a business which could easily spread and help uplift the Sri Lankan craft community back when I was still trying to envision a brighter future for local craftsmen.
In 2012, I got an opportunity to visit the Sri Lankan Gem and Jewellery Exhibition where I got an idea about the Sri Lankan jewellery market. I did my own research about jewellery design – and even though it was out of my subject area, I grasped some theoretical and practical knowledge from the university library as well as academic staff and lectures from the Department of Integrated Design of the Faculty of Architecture. A skilled jewellery craftsman who worked at Ape Gama in Battaramulla and Kandy also helped me a lot.
I then started designing jewellery and marketed them through my brand. I have a set of local craftsmen who skilfully turn my designs into actual jewellery so I’m also creating a market for local craftsmen.
I was always inspired by Sri Lankan traditional decorations, paintings, design and motifs. I think it’s the only way to take our values to the world and help create the identity of my fashion jewellery compared to imported (synthetic) fashion jewellery commonly available in the market. Our traditional symbols are all pieces of arts – even Sinhala typography has potential in the creation of jewellery.
What materials do you use to make your pieces?
I mainly use brass and silver. I use industrial waste brass and my own chemical formula to change colours and shine in the metal. We use upcycled silver sometimes, but mostly we use pure silver due to supply issues and quality.
What is the process behind hand-crafting jewellery?
We use different types of methods and I do a lot of crazy experiments to create innovative designs. We use handcraft, lost-wax casting, hammering, sand casting, plating, oxidisation, and a very traditional technique called brass repousse. We also use new technology such as laser cutting and 3D printing as well.
How has the current economic crisis affected you, and what steps have you taken to keep running?
It has really affected this field. We don’t have tourists because of the fuel crisis, which really affects the craftsmen who cater to this market. Right now, day-to-day essentials are the priority – buying fashion comes as an afterthought to most.
Do you do custom pieces?
I have an off-the-shelf and tailor-made range. I usually keep the stock myself for social media marketing. I sell my products at Fashion Market LK (FMLK Colombo 3) and Tribe LK. When we consider custom-made products, it is one of our main customer bases. It is mainly handled by me; I study their personal preference, lifestyle, and idea of design. After a deep study, I sketch the design and we start the crafting process. It can sometimes take two to three months, so I do this as a hobby since I enjoy it.
What’s next for your small business?
I don’t have any plans at the moment since the Sri Lankan market is already dry, as I described earlier, but I hope to continue production and find a market in the Middle East once I comprehensively study the target market.