Friday Nov 15, 2024
Friday Nov 15, 2024
Saturday, 13 March 2021 00:05 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Just about every time I open up Instagram, my attention is captivated by exquisite pieces of hand-painted jewellery by ‘Quaintrelle by Chiran’. Every single creation is a labour of love and patience, passion and creativity. While her designs are inspired by “practically everything,” Chiran Mendis herself is an inspiration – a woman who has tried her hand at many things in the course of following her passion, which has found its true home in this beautiful and expressive line of work. Following are excerpts of an interview:
Q: Could you tell us a little bit about yourself?
I’m Chiran, and I’m the sole owner/designer at Quaintrelle, a mother, a daughter, a creative, a closet poet, a sporadic writer, a reader with an eternal pile of unfinished books, someone who loves nature and is trying to live consciously of it as much as possible.
Professionally, I have made my way through several fields, including banking, marketing and teaching before settling on being my own boss! Those experiences, however, have positively shaped the way I approach life. I believe it’s a privilege to be able to find and engage in a line of work based on one’s interests. The name ‘Quaintrelle’ reflects that concept, of living your passion.
Q: Can you outline your journey in jewellery and how you started painting jewellery?
It started as a personal project about four years ago. I love jewellery so naturally I’m always on the lookout for accessories but it’s not always easy to find what you like. So I did a bit of research and started making hand-painted rings and earrings for myself as a hobby, then it extended to a few friends and the rest is history. It has been an interesting road, with a lot of learning involved.
Q: How have the creations been accepted and how has the response been from customers?
The short answer would be: Phenomenal!
The response has been unbelievably positive. It’s incredible to know that you have customers who appreciate and believe in your work. There have even been instances where I was asked ‘can you design a pair of red and gold earrings?’ and the customer didn’t want me to even send her a picture because she wanted it to be a surprise (for herself)! That is a level of trust in the brand that is simply incredible!
Running a show on your own is not easy, but it does have a lot of perks. All inquiries, orders and questions are handled by me, which gives me a chance to directly interact with every single customer. These relationships have become a pillar on which Quaintrelle stands. I continue to be in awe of the number of people who are encouraging and supportive of what I do.
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Q: What are your favourite pieces from your collection thus far and what were the most complicated to carry out?
My favourites are always connected to the design process, and the sentiment/inspiration behind the piece. It’s truly difficult to pick a favourite because every design is technically a piece of my thoughts and experiences.
One of the most complex projects that I’ve attempted was a small collection I designed based on Sri Lanka, for which I used photos that I or my brother, who is a photographer, had captured at various places in the country. From a seascape at Pigeon Island to the feather patterns of a painted stork, these Sri Lankan elements were really interesting and challenging to draw in miniature form.
Q: Do you undertake custom design requests?
Yes, absolutely. Custom designs can be created to match an outfit, based on a colour or an image that the customer has, etc. I work together with the client to create the end result that they envision. The brand was founded on looking for jewellery that I wanted, so I always attempt to make sure that the pieces I create are the perfect fit for what each client has in mind.
Q: What types of jewellery does the Quaintrelle by Chiran range include?
All Quaintrelle jewellery is hand-painted. They can be individual pieces or sets that include earrings, necklaces, bracelets and rings.
Q: What are the materials you use and how long does it take to create a piece?
The jewellery is made using glass set on a metal base. Time depends on each design, but on average it takes three to four days to see a piece to its completion. The process of making a pair of earrings or a pendant is not just about the drawing. It takes a lot of patience. Sometimes, I would have to paint in layers, which means one colour is painted and left to dry before the next one is applied. These obviously take more time than a design that can be completed in one go.
There are also the mistakes and accidents like smudged paint, colours running in to each other, etc. that have to be taken into consideration. The designs don’t always turn out the way they were intended, so there is a fair bit of trial and error, especially when creating custom pieces.
Q: What inspires you?
Practically everything! A lot of inspiration for my work comes from the things I see when I travel. It doesn’t necessarily have to be to beautiful, exotic places. It’s a matter of seeing the beauty in what might be considered mundane by most.
Stories, history and mythology fascinate me because I think that they capture collective experiences and provide insights into the human mind. So inevitably a lot of the names that I have used for my jewellery are from all sorts of myths and legends.
What inspires me as an individual is my family; my daughter, Chethaitwa, a smart, witty, insightful teenager who reminds me every day about how strong I can be, and about how incredibly precious life is, my parents and brother who are unconditionally supportive of anything I dare to undertake and have been the constants in life.
Another group of people that I must mention are the female entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka. The mutual support network that exists between the girl-bosses is something extraordinary. I’m truly grateful to know, and be inspired by, so many talented people I have met through my own entrepreneurial journey.
Q: How can people purchase your jewellery?
Quaintrelle is primarily an online store, operating via Instagram and Facebook. Products can also be viewed if requires, on appointment – Contact 0727156960.
We also retail at Tribe at One Galle Face, Amani flagship store on Thurstan Road, and Beverly Street.
The complete collection can be viewed via – IG: @Quaintrelle_by_chiran or FB: www.facebook.com/Quaintrellebychiran/.
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