In the village of West Chila in Barguna's Amtali upazila, a young artisan is breathing new life into a fading tradition.

Ayesha Akter Akhi, a college student, has dedicated herself to crafting intricate clay jewellery, an age-old art form that is on the verge of disappearing.

What started as a personal endeavour rooted in nostalgia has turned into a flourishing small business. Over the past four years, Ayesha has meticulously crafted over 500 clay jewellery pieces -- earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and entire jewellery sets -- selling them primarily through online platforms.

The earnings from her craft have provided much-needed financial support for her family.

Ayesha's journey began with a cherished childhood memory. "When I was little, my mother gifted me a pair of clay earrings. I wore them for years, but one day, I lost them. I loved those earrings dearly, and I wanted to recreate them. That's how I started learning this craft on my own," she shared.

After passing her HSC examination from Amtali Bokulnesa Women's Degree College in 2021, Ayesha got married but remained committed to her passion.

Now, while pursuing a degree at Amtali Government College, she continues her business, while shaping delicate, artistic clay ornaments.

At first, her work gained little attention. However, as her designs evolved -- showcasing intricate patterns and vibrant colours -- her handmade jewellery began gaining traction. Customers, charmed by the uniqueness of her creations, started placing more orders through online platforms.

Ayesha's clay jewellery sets are also quite affordable, priced between Tk 70 and Tk 150.

"Gold jewellery has become too costly and beyond our reach," said Tanzila, one of Ayesha's customers. "I purchased a clay jewellery set from Ayesha online, and I absolutely love wearing it."

Ayesha's husband Gazi Md Soleman stands firmly beside her in her endeavour.  "She is doing a great job, and I always support her. The income from her jewellery sales has been a great help to our family," he said.

Her mother, Mariam Begum, fondly recalled, "I once bought a pair of clay earrings in my childhood and later gifted them to my daughter. Those earrings lasted 25 years before they were lost. Ayesha's passion for making clay jewellery stems from that memory."

With a desire to keep this artisanal craft alive, Ayesha remains optimistic.

"I started this initiative to preserve my mother's memories and to revive a disappearing tradition. So far, I have created over 500 pieces and sold 300 of them. The response has been incredible, and with financial support, I could expand my work even further," she said.