Chanchu George didn’t start silversmithing as a business, it was a long journey of passion and curiosity that led to this. It all started some 15 years ago when she started off by putting beads together to make necklaces, a time when YouTube videos or tutorials were not available on the internet.
Chanchu reminisces how she developed a deep passion for silvesmithery, “During my travels, I was fascinated by silversmiths and the work they do, especially in Bali, where you get to see them soldering and designing the jewellery without any big machinery-all handmade using traditional methods. I was captivated by this.” She was disappointed to not find any silversmiths in Kochi to make or even to repair any silver jewellery. This pushed her to attend courses and learn techniques. However, it was her visit to Jaipur that really set things in motion. “I sat with the traditional silversmiths and worked with them; and then, set up a small workspace in my apartment.”
Two years back, she launched Kundan silver jewellery in Kochi and also set up a workshop for Kundan work in Ahmedabad.
A piece of advice she would give her younger self is “Just because no one else is attempting it, doesn’t mean that you cannot do what you are really passionate about. You don’t have to listen to everybody or be an idealist; not to accept everything what others say, no matter how famous or well established they are; question things, doubt it and follow your instincts.”
“I sell, I value what I create, whatever style it may be, based on my evolution, my whims, my creative journey”, she sums up.
