Today on the blog, we feature Savita Iyer & Shwetha Narayanan, jewellery – artist duo & founders of of Urbankala- Art of Gifting. Based out of Mumbai and Bangalore; the team specialise in handcrafted jewellery & home decor. Meet the makers, at the February 2020 edition of By Hand from the Heart Makers Market in Chennai.
Tell us a bit about yourself.
Savita & Shwetha; we are the face behind the brand #Urbankala. We are sisters in law and we run Urbankala on a long distant relationship. Savita is your quintessential Mumbaikar who is the brain behind Urbankala. Savita conducts workshops regularly, across Mumbai. She is the artist who works on all the painted merchandise at Urbankala. Shwetha creates beautiful wire jewellery and home decor. A few years back she was oblivious to her inner artist until Savita came along. If you love our wired nose pins and crave for more, she is the one you should reach out to.
Why did you become a maker? Why is making so important to you?
Urbankala started of as an idea to make gifting more personalized and unique. Savita’s passion to create new things is what pushed her to start something unique. Moreover the gifting market had become so monotonous, the need to create more personalized and unique gifting products was what helped kickstart Urbankala. Shwetha started off handling Sales and marketing and was later on inspired by Savita to work with wire art. This has created a wide range of products both in Handpainted and Hand wired home decor, accessories and jewellery.
How did you begin the brand?
Savita’s passion to create new things is what pushed her to start something unique. Moreover the gifting market had become so monotonous, the need to create more personalized and unique gifting products was what helped kick start Urbankala.
What is the story behind your brand name?
We always wanted something that was Indian and would reflect with our designs but was also appealing to the Urban crowd. Kala means art and resonated with what we do. Hence the name Urbankala just felt right for the venture
How has your business evolved over the years?
We started off with just word of mouth gifting and currently have a set of regular customers and an impressive online presence that gives us regular business.
Your work space & the artisans you work with.
Savita and Shwetha work from home while have also set up a studio space in Mumbai. All products are handmade by us and we also have Shekhar Narayanan (Savita’s husband) help us out with wire accessories from time to time.
Your favorite work tool.
Paintbrush for Savita Iyer, Jewellery Pliers for Shwetha Narayanan
What is currently on your work table?
Our jewellery making tools and products in the making for the By Hand from the Heart Makers Market.
What is your personal favorite pick from your label right now? And why?
Our Resin and wire nose pins. It is so much fun to make them and the colours just pop out. Moreover we also feel that nose pin is a versatile accessory that can pep up any outfit and look.
What are your displaying at the By Hand, From The Heart.
Handpainted, Wired and Resin Jewellery, Accessories and home decor.
Meet the Maker @
By Hand from the Heart: Makers Market – 29th Edit
7 – 8 February 2020, Friday – Saturday | 10 a.m – 9 p.m
Hanu Reddy Residences, No. 41/19, Poes Garden, Chennai 600086, India.
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