Coconut Shell Jewellery - Nashik, Maharashtra
The process starts with choosing the right size of coconut for the product. The coconut shell is neatly taken out from the fibrous husk. The shell is cut into half and the fruit or the kernel is taken out neatly. The fruit is taken out using coconut hand scrapper. Once the coconut shells are clean, sandpaper or coarse paper is used to rub on the surface until it is even and all the hair is removed. The inner layer of the shell is smoothened with the sand paper as well as to attain soft surface on both the sides.
Once the coconut shell is sanded, craftsman sketches out the jewelry design on a sheet of paper which is to be carved. Same design is trace on the coconut shell using a marker. The shell is cut along the marked line using a hacksaw. After a shape is cut out, the edges are made even and smooth by filing or by sanding with sand paper. This process is followed repeatedly till the finish is satisfactory.
It is then polished with bee’s wax. Alternatively, if a glossy finish is desired, it is given a coat of synthetic varnish. If the surface is to have a dark finish, then it is painted before the varnish coat is applied. No varnish or bees wax is applied on the inside if the object is to hold foodstuff.
The article is now left to dry in the sun. After it is completely dry, a small hole is obtained by drilling using drilling machine. Small hooks are attached to the article, through the hole created, to be worn as earrings.
