Ashanthi’s jewels on wow.lk
View(s):Ashanthi Samarasinghe has a confession. “I don’t know why, but wearing jewellery doesn’t have the same appeal as making it does,” she smiles. Not surprising though considering she spends most of her day crafting delicate pieces in sterling silver and semi-precious stones. Ashanthi’s work has been up for sale under the label Ashanti Jewels for about three years.
Ashanthi
Exclusively an online business, her simple designs which let the stones speak for themselves have captivated an American audience, where Ashanthi spends most of the year. Her latest project however, has been bringing her work back home, from where she harvested inspiration.
Her experience with jewellery dates back to when she finished her A’Levels. Starting her schooling in Mahamaya Girls’ College, Kandy, much influence initially came from traditional art forms and designs in her environment. A keen student of art, she continued her education at Ladies’ College, Colombo, following which her chosen course of study was slightly different from the popular choice “which was accounts, at the time” she recalls.
Taking on a course in technical studies, which led to her study in jewellery- design, Ashanthi’s education in her chosen field continued at the Gemological Institute of America, when she moved to the US. “It made sense for me to start my own line” she shares, following the birth of her son, three years ago.
“It was very important to me, that the products were made in Sri Lanka.” Working through much of the red tape around transporting supplies into the island, finding trusted suppliers and skilled labour to make pieces which met her quality mark was a challenge. “It was easier and cheaper for me to get them made elsewhere” she admits. Finding and training local talent in 2011, Ashanthi has managed to form a trusted home-based work force who bring her designs to life. Receiving sealed packets of instruction sketches, along with the materials, the women on her staff have learned her style of expression over the three years and produced pieces that have gone down well with buyers in the US. There is a lot of trust born out of their constantly high standard of workmanship she shares.
Bringing their brand of delicate design to Sri Lanka, Ashanti Jewels is among the newest additions to the products available on wow.lk.
