Project DIY: 10 Minute Evil Eye Charm

When I was travelling to Israel and Turkey last year, I was determined to return with a unique Evil Eye Charm for our home. I saw tons of them, but they all seemed like touristy versions, and I wasn't too happy. Which is when the idea of creating my own struck me.


I found some really ideal, simple glass evil eye pendants the size of my palm in Tel Aviv. Since am usually looking for a bargain, I decided to go for the plain ones with a blue nylon string to hang them. At 8 Shekels a piece, they were about 20 shekels cheaper than fancy ones. I was going to add my own personal touch to these anyway, so it made complete sense to buy the minimalistic pendants.


It took me about a year but while I was unpacking here in Porbandar, miraculously, I found all the bits to make up a wonderful unique piece. A length of thick, coarse string, some beads and the evil eye itself. Like the title of the post promises, this won't take you longer than 10 minutes to rustle up.




You will need:
1 evil eye pendant made of glass or ceramic. Pick a size you like
Some coarse string of desired length and proportion to your pendant
10-20 beads in colours of your choice
Thin string to tie the beads


Start off by stringing the pendant through your coarse string so that you have at least 6 strands to create a braid.Tie a firm knot as shown here to hold the pendant in place.

Now, braid the strands artfully. As you can see, I started off with a casual three-piece braid and then changed it to a slightly more intricate six string one. 


It is time to thread your beads through the thinner string. Tie a knot at each end of the beads to keep them from slipping off and make sure you leave enough thread on either side to enable you to comfortably tie it around the coarse string braid.

Depending on the thickness of your braid, use 2-3 beads for each round of adornment. I used beads in only three places, since I really wanted to see more of the coarse string. Tie off the ends of the string to create a sturdy way to hang the pendant on the wall. And you're done!

The smooth glossy finish of the pendant is offset wonderfully by the coarse string and the few black beads add a bold accent to this piece. All that remains to be done now, is to hammer a nail into the wall, next to the switch for the buzzer to proudly display your new accessory. And to ward off the evil eye!

Wanderlust: Tel Aviv

Never in my wildest dreams did I think of ever going to Tel Aviv. In my part of the world, it does not feature on  our bucketlists. We have the usual round-up of Paris, Bangkok and NYC. If you really love travel, you'll have Machu Pichu on your list. But Israel, is too far from our idea of dream destinations.


But am so glad things didn't go according to plan, and by a quirk of fate, I was on a plane to Tel Aviv. The research I'd tried to do on Israel hadn't thrown up much info, but I knew it was going to be nothing like I had ever seen before. After all there was Jerusalem and the Dead Sea to experience. I will write about those too, someday. But today is about Tel Aviv.


I love that city. There's no easing into this one. It is one of the warmest places I've been to, sunny beaches and gorgeously sanguine people. Yes, it is a city that never sleeps. Not only because of its high octane nightlife, but also because its citizens are dedicated to fitness like nowhere else. You find joggers and cyclists at 3 am on any given night. Every moment out in the sun is celebrated and embraced with abandon.





Tel Aviv's enthusiasm is infectious. The artists at the bi-weekly crafts fair are inspiring. The diversity, the openness and the energy of its people lifts you up. And what's wonderful is that Israelis love Indians. A large number of them travel to India and spend a few weeks backpacking across the country. Goa is a favourite destination, we met an artist who has tattooed 'GOA' on his forearm. That's the kind of love am talking about. We met another artist who specialises in glass-blowing, an art that can challenge your understanding of this fragile medium. His wife was from Japan and they have spent a month in Igatpuri doing Vipasanna. A friendly old shopkeeper asked me if my name was Vaijanthimala and another kindly man asked me if I worked in Bollywood. They love our movies too! A cab driver subscribes to Hindi TV channels and sang a few lines of an 80's hit song. How can I not be happy there?





The quaint sidewalk cafes remind you of Europe, only because you associate sidewalk cafes with Europe. All similarities end there. The cafes in Tel Aviv seem much more inviting, urging you to come, pause for a while and share your story. The homegrown beer, Goldstar is everything a good beer should be, and the food is divine. Whether you experiment with the local kosher cuisine or dip into global staples, you will be transported by the freshness and crunch of the ingredients.

Mornings came early and I hit the sea around 8 am, before it got too hot to enjoy the calm waters. My Israeli friends though hung out all day at the beach, the sun has been their old buddy. Snorkelers and surfers abound, as do toddlers getting their early swimming lessons. After the dip, I'd just lie on the beach with a book and a peach. My idea of a blissful holiday!


I tried to soak in as much of the city as I could in the 20 days I spent there. It was difficult to get out of the water, on my last day. I spoke to the Mediterranean sea, promising it that I would come back someday. Yes, I talk out loud when alone. I was going to meet the same sea on the other side in Istanbul, but something told me, the magic wasn't going to be the same.