Artist statement - Sipelele Tshongweni

             

               Neck-piece

An aesthetic piece that I designed and manufactured by hand with an ancient pendant called Ankh, this is associated with a family of Christianity cross. I am not too much on Christianity, so an Ankh is the best  to symbolize my partially believing rather than a solid cross. The chain creates a linked story by the emphasis of unsoldered jump rings as a symbol of holding but with a chance of change of mind with the favorite trends. This is one of my favorite pieces I use to comfort my soul whenever I feel down.          

Brooch and earrings

Thu2ka jewellery pieces

The theme was 'play' and I decided to play with the bicycle wheels. The two small pieces are earrings made out of silver with garnet cabochons. The middle one is a brooch made out of copper and silver wire. Working with precious metals. 

 

Handmade earrings

                                                                     Origami earrings

The trick was to not use solder. Folded earrings made out of silver 925. It was a great experience working on this project because I gained something new in jewelry techniques. Folding these earrings give me a hard time because I had to do a mirror image and that was a bit challenging but I am glad I managed to design and manufacture these adorable earrings.