About Me
Welcome to Khandava!
I’m based out in beautiful, wildly rural New Mexico—where the skies are big, the internet is slow, the coyotes often get the final say, and the inspiration flows from the land itself. It’s not always easy living this far off the beaten path, but the space and stillness have given me the freedom to build something meaningful, even if a little chaotic at times. It's just one person wearing all the hats, from maker and packer to website tinkerer and customer service rep.
Khandava began as a passion project. Between managing multiple jobs and navigating unpredictable health challenges, I needed a creative outlet that felt grounding and personal. What started as a way to share my handmade jewelry and vintage-inspired crafts has grown into a small shop that also features thoughtfully chosen items from other small producers whose values I respect and support.
At the heart of Khandava is a deep commitment to sustainability and mindful living. That means rethinking how we consume, how we create, and how we ship. I reuse packaging whenever possible, so don’t be surprised if your order arrives in a box that once held books. Giving materials a second (or third) life is one of the small ways I try to reduce waste.
Many of the pieces I create are made using reclaimed or upcycled materials. I especially love working with old or broken jewelry—salvaging stones, metals, and components to craft something entirely new. There’s a kind of magic in transforming the forgotten into something beautiful and wearable again. Alongside my own work, I also curate items from other makers and companies that share my focus on eco-conscious practices, fair labor, and low-waste production.
Khandava isn’t a big operation—it’s just me, a house full of foster dogs, and a lot of tea-fueled nights spent creating, wrapping, labeling, and dreaming. Every item you see here has passed through my hands, and every order is packed with care and appreciation.
Your support means more than I can say. When you shop at Khandava, you’re not just buying a product—you’re helping sustain a tiny business built on creativity, independence, the belief that small choices can lead to meaningful change, and my daily cuppa chai.
Thank you for being here.
What does Khandava mean? In the epic Mahabharata, Khandava was a vast, mythical forest teeming with an abundance of nature’s creations. The god of fire, Agni, found himself weakened and his flames dimmed, realizing that consuming the Khandava forest was the only way to regain his strength. However, Indra, the god of rain and thunder, repeatedly doused Agni’s fire to thwart his efforts. To overcome this challenge, Agni sought the help of Krishna, and together, they set the forest ablaze, reducing it to ashes. From the charred remains, the industrial city of Indraprastha arose, but Agni’s power was re-balanced amongst the gods.
The burning of the Khandava forest symbolizes the conflict between human progress and the environment. It represents the transformative impact of human expansion—whether in agriculture or urbanization. However, it also serves as a stark reminder of the environmental toll this transformation can exact, particularly in terms of biodiversity loss and the disruption of ecosystems.
Ultimately, the burning of the Khandava forest is a poignant metaphor for the complicated relationship between humans and nature. It underscores both the creativity and the and the ecological devastation in our efforts to reshape and control the world around us. For me, this story resonates deeply, echoing my own struggle to navigate a capitalist world while yearning for simpler pleasures, like climbing trees and picking coconuts. It also reminds me that while destruction may sometimes be necessary for growth, it is never worth it when it comes at the expense of others.