Hana~Belle's

As far as my memories could take me, I have always been besotted by colours, design, and anything consists of forms and textures. Growing up in Malaysia, I have been blessed to be surrounded by traditional wooden carvings, arrays of colours from our fanciful textiles such as Batiks, Songkets, Ikats to name a few.

But most of all, my fascination lays on Ethnic Jewelries. Be it gold, silver or copper, the workmanship, the motifs and not to mention the story in each and every piece ever produced never ceased to amaze and intrigue me. I remember admiring my grandmother's fabulous 'keronsang' ~ a number of brooches connected together by chains, to be worn on Kebayas acting as buttons. The number of brooches will be either 3 or 5, depending on the length of Kebaya worn. Grandma's silver belts, Cucok Sanggul (hairpins), Keronsangs, used to be the items in my dress up play.

Years of travelling and living in exotic locations, has exposed me to different cultures and of course, diverse ethnic jewelries. From Balinese Silver, Antique Bedouin Coins to Egyptian Ankh, each represents different heritage, history and geography, but all represents beauty and richesse in its own form.

My stay in Middle East, has brought my fascination on Ethnic jewelries into full circle. Arrays of gemstones available, it's enough to describe as I've gone to heaven, and stayed there! Antique Turquoise, Lapis Lazuli, Agates, Corals, Amethyst, African Beads to name a few are my playthings now, calling and waiting for me to transform them into pieces of jewelries. The downsides of jewelry making is that it comes with muscle spasm, antisocial behaviour and losing your sense of timing! But, nothing can beat the satisfaction of seeing it worn and appreciated by someone. For this alone, I welcome muscle spasm on my neck like it's my best friend!

Anybody with pics of keronsangs or any old Malaysian jewelries, I thank you in advance if you'd share it here, for all to see and appreciate....