Meet Etsy Metalsmith & Jewelry Artist: aloka

Lakshmi Sonbuchner, the talented artist behind Aloka, is also a medical student living in New York City. Aside from creating her elegant designs, she manages to find time to work on her PhD, researching the organism that causes malaria. "I enjoy science and medicine, but I also need a creative outlet, and that happens to be jewelry design and metalsmithing. I love the fact that I can manipulate a flat piece of metal into a 'supple' flower, and, of course, I like playing with torches," she jokes. Starting Aloka was not only a way to showcase her work, but also to give back to those in need. "Any profit that I make from the shop will be donated to Asha for Education (ashanet.org), which sets up and funds basic educational projects for the underprivileged in India," she explains. In fact her own Indian heritage has been a profound source of inspiration to her. "I draw from images you would commonly see in India -- flora, fauna, and the swirly script of the Indian languages. I want to achieve a look that is sleek and modern, at the same time evoking a sense of the exotic. Indian fashion is known for being ornate and colorful -- I like to take details from Indian textiles and ancient buildings, focus on the basic lines and shapes and incorporate them into chic designs." While she has only been metalsmithing for two years, she is serious about her hobby. "I run my shop as if it's my 'job', just on a smaller scale." She hopes to make enough of a profit in the next year to donate at least $500 to Asha for Education. Please check out her shop: http://aloka.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/