Returning to the roots

Bindu Sastry is a full-time professional who has an innate passion for designing jewellery. It was her inclination towards this art and her obsession for beads, stones and the byproducts of plants that led her to start a venture called Sparkle Berryz.

It is a niche, exquisite, hand-made, chic jewellery line with an ethnic feel added by earthy and natural elements. Every one of the creation is handcrafted by Bindu which reflects the deep passion and her love for design and nature. All the products are designed by Bindu who works along with three other women employees.

She creates a range of products including all kinds of jewellery like danglers, chokers, anklets and  bracelets. Every creation has beads and elements of wood, natural stones, semi-precious stones, resin, metal and nature’s beautiful treasures like sea-shells, berries, seeds, etc. The jewellery goes well with both traditional and
contemporary attire.

Since the items are made from beads, wood and rare stones, it not only looks good on the skin but also has several health benefits. Bindu is also inspired by the demure beauty, perfection and the promise of life added by wild berries.

The business model was inspired by her wish to provide economic independence to women and empower them with a sense of self- worth and respect. “Sparkle Berryz was born out of my penchant for unique jewellery that turned into a hobby and subsequently launched as a jewellery line with encouragement from my family and friends. It is also a channel to explore my creativity,” says Bindu.

Since the jewellery is inspired from berries and brings a sparkle and a smile on the customer’s face, the venture was named  Sparkle Berryz. The beads are outsourced from various places across the country. Some have been specially ordered from other countries too. When Bindu travels to different places across the globe, she is inspired by the products that are available in different places. She collects those beads and brings them to the City and weaves them into a beautiful jewellery piece.

She also believes that India’s vegetation is so varied that one can make beautiful ornaments out of it. It’s precious and also looks stunning on the skin. “Once when I went to Chikkamagaluru, when I was collecting coffee beans for jewellery, an estate staff was curious. He asked me, ‘Why do city folks collect these coffee beans when you need to be investing in gold?’ My reply was, ‘I’m preserving nature by donning it on my skin, which is far more precious’,” sums up Bindu.