MJ Creations, crafting Namibia’s finest custom jewellery
Mwaalwa Justine Shikongo hones her craft
What began as a side gig has blossomed into a flourishing career.
Mwaalwa Justine Shikongo, the founder of MJ Creations, saw an opportunity in 2019 while pursuing her studies in logistics at the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) that would soon change the course of her career.
Shikongo chose to establish a place where unique, custom-made jewellery could flourish after spotting a gap in the market for personalised jewellery. What started off as a side gig soon turned into a career she was enthusiastic about, and she hasn't looked back.
The Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 presented her developing company with unexpected obstacles. Despite the delays and restrictions experienced by several companies, this entrepreneur saw a bright side.
She purchased laser engraving equipment the same year, allowing her to provide locally produced, personalized jewellery and engravings a lot quicker.
“This helped with faster production and increased sales [and] everything was locally made," she said.
Shikongo's choice not only enabled her to create and expand her business, but it also kept it afloat during challenging times.
She was able to satisfy customer requests for personalisation thanks to the machine and her company established itself as a local supplier of meaningful, excellent handcrafted jewellery.
Driven to succeed
She learned how to make jewellery and engrave metal driven by her curiosity and determination, without any formal training.
Each method, tool and skill was self-taught and honed through experimentation.
Self-taught, she developed a unique and distinctive style for her brand. She now crafts jewellery that blends talent with individual flair, making her pieces stand out in the marketplace.
Some of her most memorable moments come from crafting pieces for weddings, witnessing the happiness of brides and seeing how her work adds to their special day.
“It brings so much joy when my customers are happy. Making jewellery from scratch allows me to be as creative as possible, showcasing my talent,” Shikongo added.
She emphasised the value of confidence and creativity for anyone interested in the making of jewellery and believes that being bold in one's creations and always pushing limits is crucial for progress.
Her advice to up-and-coming jewellers is simple yet powerful: “Remember, everything big once started small. Don’t give up."
Shikongo chose to establish a place where unique, custom-made jewellery could flourish after spotting a gap in the market for personalised jewellery. What started off as a side gig soon turned into a career she was enthusiastic about, and she hasn't looked back.
The Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 presented her developing company with unexpected obstacles. Despite the delays and restrictions experienced by several companies, this entrepreneur saw a bright side.
She purchased laser engraving equipment the same year, allowing her to provide locally produced, personalized jewellery and engravings a lot quicker.
“This helped with faster production and increased sales [and] everything was locally made," she said.
Shikongo's choice not only enabled her to create and expand her business, but it also kept it afloat during challenging times.
She was able to satisfy customer requests for personalisation thanks to the machine and her company established itself as a local supplier of meaningful, excellent handcrafted jewellery.
Driven to succeed
She learned how to make jewellery and engrave metal driven by her curiosity and determination, without any formal training.
Each method, tool and skill was self-taught and honed through experimentation.
Self-taught, she developed a unique and distinctive style for her brand. She now crafts jewellery that blends talent with individual flair, making her pieces stand out in the marketplace.
Some of her most memorable moments come from crafting pieces for weddings, witnessing the happiness of brides and seeing how her work adds to their special day.
“It brings so much joy when my customers are happy. Making jewellery from scratch allows me to be as creative as possible, showcasing my talent,” Shikongo added.
She emphasised the value of confidence and creativity for anyone interested in the making of jewellery and believes that being bold in one's creations and always pushing limits is crucial for progress.
Her advice to up-and-coming jewellers is simple yet powerful: “Remember, everything big once started small. Don’t give up."
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