Handmade Valkannnadi Mirror

Mirrors are amazing thing that have been made by human beings. From our ancient civilisation, in different countries different types of mirrors have been made and they relates to the olden cultures and believes of that natives.

Valkannadi is one such mirror that belongs to Keralian culture. Valkannadi is a model of hand mirrors in the collection of aranmula kannadi. Valkannadi is a very traditional model of aranmula kannadi. Today there are several models of these mirrors but in earlier days the aranmula kannadi’s were made only in valkannadi

model.

Aranmula kanadi (aranmulla mirrors) (in Malayalam ആറന്മുളക്കണ്ണാടി) is a handmade metal-alloy mirror, made in Aranmula, a small town in Pathanamthitta, Kerala, India. These mirror are different from normal "silvered" glass mirrors.these are special type of metal-alloy mirror or front surface reflection mirror, which eliminates secondary reflections and aberrations typical of back surface mirrors. The exact metals used in the alloy are maintained as a Vishwakarma family secret.

In earlier days, ladies of royal family those who were called as Thambhuratti used his valkannadi to admire their beauty. Valkannadi is the most important thing in the auspicious ‘Ashtamangalya’ set. Another fact is that valkannadi resembles the goddess laxmi - goddess of wealth and prosperity. There is believes that keeping an aranmula kannadi in home will invite the goddess Lakshmi to the house, and that brings the wealth and prosperity to the house and its people.

Inspired with the beauty of Valkannadi, i made this valkannadi with polymer clay. This was not so easy to do. It took about 9 to 10 hours and i completed it taking 6 to 7 days. The important ingredient to make this beautiful is patients. You have to take time and concentration to get the best out of this.

Let see how to create this :)

Materials needed:

1. White polymer clay

2. Acrylic colours

3. Gold metallic acrylic paint

4. Stone chain

5. Small golden bead chain

6. Oval shaped mirror

7. Cardboard

Set the things on table and lets start making them.

STEPS:

1. First you need to sketch the outline shape of Valkannadi on the cardboard. then you need to cut them to get shape. The length is about 26cms and the with is about 11cms.

2. Cover the entire cardboard with thin layer of clay.

3. Place the mirror on the top and somewhat near to centre. Mark the out line of mirror

4. Mix white polymer clay with brown acrylic paint. Roll them and make a thin long thread. With this make border lining to the mirror

5. Again make the outline with the clay thread over entire body of the Valkannadi

6. Make some spheres. roundel shapes. cone shapes in different sizes with clay. With these items and kundans you can make the rest of designs as per your wish on body and handle part.

7. Once everything is set remove the mirror from centre and paint with brown acrylic paint.

8. When this is completely dried paint with gold metalic paint all over the body and handle.

9. Keep aside for complete dry

10. Once it is completely dry, apply sealent.

11. Place the mirror in the space and secure it with adhesives

12. Border it with stone chain. You can further decorate it with stone chain and small golden bead chain.

note: here i used air dry polymer clay.

Yes its completed ! You can keep this as home decor item.

CREATE ! ENJOY! HAVE FUN

#clayart #gift #craft #fevicol #diy