Your art, your craft: Bronwyn → Adine Pietersen

Shalom beloveds!

What is it that you are highly skilled at? We all have individual skills and talents. Some people are blessed enough to turn them into a business and others just do it for fun. Some people have crafts that can be done with their hands and others not. Something Bronzie is a handcrafted jewelry business and owned by the lovely Bronwyn. I connected with Bronwyn in 2019 through an N.P.O. We got to know one another quickly and she has been such a motivational woman: encouraging and guiding me through my business as well as also sharing tips and tricks of her own. She’s such a ray of sunshine and I’ve learned so much from her. She creates these beautifully handcrafted jewelry pieces and I simply love that she’s shifted her creations to a more eco-friendly move. Side note: my very first business venture was handcrafted jewelry as well. It was fun while it lasted but it isn’t really my forte, so I will leave it to the professionals like Bronwyn (wink). I recently spoke to Bronwyn about her own craft of jewelry making and her thriving business thereof. Let’s read some more below.

Please give us a short introduction to who you are and what you do?

I am Bronwyn Hendricks (nee Campher) and with a surname like Hendricks I had to quickly learn there’s so many of us that it’s imperative to use my maiden name too. I am a mom of 4 colourful beauts: the eldest (now 11 years old) has blossomed quite nicely into a beautiful craft jewelry brand at the southern tip of Africa, called ‘Something Bronzie’. Currently I do everything in the business from marketing and design to ensuring the boss lady (me) has enough coffee to keep her going.

What are your creative craft/skills and how did you discover them?

I design and manufacture craft jewelry. A few years ago my husband and I were introduced to jewelry-making by a brilliant craftsman. We met up with him expecting a step by step lesson. To our surprise we got a (proverbial) bag of useful tips and tricks and a cute DIY kit. It was such a blessing since we had no idea where to start. We played around and quickly found our feet. After just a few weeks we started selling our creations; totally chuffed that people actually wanted to buy them. Not knowing the value of freshwater pearls at the time, those who purchased in the beginning got amazing deals (please hold onto your pearls!)

What are the highlights/ victories you have achieved through your craft?

One of my personal highlights at the start of this creative venture was embracing the TRUTH. That we were created in the image and likeness of a creative God and that indeed WE ARE ALL CREATIVE! As someone who specialised in administration and most things ‘left brain’, this was a biggie. The truth really does set you free!

What are the challenges you face or have faced with your craft?

You never know what designs will appeal to a woman tomorrow…not even she knows! Our offering is not for the conventional trendy-follower. It’s more for the ‘try something new without losing authentic you’ kind of woman. We’ve grown to accept our brand is not for every accessory lover. And that’s OK.

How have you navigated using your craft during a crisis?

We planned to showcase our designs at local craft markets, but then when Covid hit, we had to take a step back and re-assess where we were at before moving forward. I wouldn’t exactly call it a crisis. More like a blessing in disguise.

What advice can you give to others in pursuing their own creative craft?

Discovering and enjoying a hobby, selling stuff and building a brand are 3 different things. Choose one and enjoy the process. To the hobbyist selling their creative goods at dirt cheap prices; DON’T DO IT. The rest of the industry gets hurt by this, especially those trying to make a living off their art/craft and trying to employ others in the process. Lastly, collaboration over competition… because we truly are better together.