Salonee Gadgil loves tongue twisters. Almost as much as she loves to craft unique, handmade neck-pieces from sea shells that she found while walking down Goa's shores

It could make for a calming visual. An afternoon by the shore in Goa, picking up sea shells left behind by the Arabian Sea's waves. Creative artist Salonee Gadgil does this for a living, as part of her fascination with sea shells.



So, on afternoons of days when she travels to her grandmum's home in Goa, you will find her gingerly walking on the beach, stopping every now and then to pick up a sea shell. After examining it thoroughly, she will either pocket them or toss them back into their playground.

"Each of these pieces tell stories about the sea," she says. It is these stories that she strings onto a thread, after weaving curvy, wave-like designs on their surface. She Sells, as Salonee's venture is called, transforms these aquatic wonders into functional neckpieces.

About two months ago, when the 22 year-old art photographer was working on a photo project on the Portuguese, who made Goa their home, the idea to create designs from sea shells struck her. "Since I have lived in Goa till I was five, we have spent every weekend on the beach, collecting seashells and playing in the water. But it was only two months ago when I thought about stringing up a shell and wearing it as a neckpiece," says Salonee.

She then arranged for mouldable clay and began crafting pretty wave-like designs on each shell. Soon, friends started noticing her jewellery, and orders started to pour in. "I don't want to make it too kitschy or loud. I try to keep the seashell natural and use colours like green and blue that reflect its origin."

While some of the designs resemble tentacles weaving their way across the shell, we fell in love with the pieces that showcased knot-endings and loose curls resembling a woman's hair. "Since the shells have a lovely, curved edge, I didn't want to break the flow by crafting anything sharp or geometric on it," she says. Bring her a shell
that has memories attached to it and she will carve out a distinct design on it. The cotton thread can be adjusted to make the neckpiece into a choker, or left hanging loose.

Coming soon: bangles and earrings, as well as works on stone. Watch this space.
PRICE Rs 500 onwards
Call 9820566649
Email salonee.shesells@gmail.com for details
Also available at Attic, Bir Sagar, 396/20, Flat no 1, end of 17th Road, Santacruz (W).