Meet The Maker
Sharmila Bhulun
Sharmila Bhulun, a mother of two is an enthusiastic jewellery artisan who started her journey in 2016 after completing a jewellery making course. She finds happiness in creating new pieces and understanding the story behind each piece.
What’s your name?
My name is Sharmila Bhulun.
What is your age?
I am 26 years old.
Where are you from?
I am from Makwanpur district, Nepal.
Which products did you make?
I make jewelry pieces such as earrings, rings, chains etc.
How and when did you learn your craft?
Before I was introduced to the craft I always wanted to work but somehow I never got an opportunity to be employed. A friend of mine then suggested that I join an institution at Godawari that offered free jewelry making classes. Eventually I gained keen interest in the subject and learnt many techniques pretty quickly. Then after,I started working as a jewelry designer and have been working since 2016.
What space do you work from?
I work from a space setup by team Né Nepal. The space has been taken very close to my home keeping in mind I am a single mother to a 2 year old. This allows me great productivity as I am not stressed about my child. The space is a safe environment with water, sanitation, electricity etc.
Where do you get your materials to create your craft?
I get all my materials from Patan which is a hub of metalcraft in Kathmandu.
What’s your favourite thing about creating your pieces?
Every time I create something new and exciting, I find delight in the stories behind each piece. Each piece I create is rejuvenating. I enjoy my work deeply.
What is your least favourite part?
A large part of my day requires me to sit and work on intricate designs, I don't like being stationed so I take small breaks to walk around. I also used to face minor injuries working with metals, scissors, and other tools which is better now since I use more advanced tools.
What inspires you to create?
As much as my interest motivates me to create jewellery, it's also the cultural values that inspire me.
Do you work alone or with others?
Currently, I am working alone in my workspace. However, we are looking to hire and train anyone who would be interested.
How long does it take you to create one piece (on average)?
Everything from scratch is hand done so it takes longer to create any design. On an average I could make about 2 neckpieces a day or 3 rings in a day. This also highly depends on the intricacy of the design element.
Who do you think will wear/use your creation? Do you have a message for them?
Our pieces will appeal to those who appreciate the beauty and value of handcrafted jewelry. I want them to use our pieces because they have been made keeping quality in mind. And they should wear them because they represent the cultural significance of our country.
What is your biggest dream?
I just have a simple dream that I keep making new pieces, keep exploring with new designs and be happy with everything I do.
Team Né Nepal is proud to have Ms. Sharmila as one of our artisans. We hope that she continues to explore her art and keep making new pieces that give her happiness.