Aishwarya Jewellery Works

Down in Basaveshwara Nagar, you can find Aishwarya Jewellery Works at BEML Layout, number 50. It’s a quiet little spot compared to the main markets. I spend most of my time at the workbench with a magnifying glass and some small pliers. This isn’t one of those big showrooms with bright lights and security guards at the door. It’s a workshop where the actual making and fixing happens. The floor is usually covered in tiny bits of metal shavings that I have to sweep up every evening. People bring in their old chains that have snapped or rings that don't fit anymore. Sometimes they want something new made from scratch, so we sit down and draw it out on a scrap of paper first. My hands are usually a bit stained from the polishing compounds we use to make the gold and silver shine again. The tools I use were passed down or bought second-hand years ago, but they still work fine for what I need. It is a slow process and you can't really rush it or you’ll mess up the setting. I usually have a small lamp right over the work area because my eyes aren't what they used to be. It’s honest work and it keeps me busy from morning until the sun goes down. Most of the neighbors know me by name and just pop in when they need a repair.