Jack of all trades

Apart from acting and doing portraits, LUCY BRIDGET ACHIENG, 22,?is also a jewellery designer and a budding musician. SHIRLEY GENGA spoke to her

What do you do for a living?

I am a jewellery designer; I began my business — Laddia African Relliques in 2010. I am also a fashion stylist and an actress.

Lucy Bridget Achieng. [Photo: Maxwell Agwanda/Standard]

How would you describe your jewellery?

Bold, timeless, authentic and vintage.

What does your job entail?

I love unique materials so, a lot of my work involves sourcing for materials. I use everything from beads, to junk, to antiques, to recycled things. I love to experiment with all kinds of materials.

How did you branch into fashion styling and acting?

I love fashion and I am always experimenting with my looks. People would meet me and love the way I dressed. That is how I fell into styling last year. When it comes to acting, I have always loved acting so when the opportunity came, I grabbed it. I do not like to limit myself. I have acted in a couple of public shows.

What was your childhood dream?

I wanted to be a pilot and a news anchor, but by the time I was finishing high school, I knew my strength was in art.

Tell us how you got into jewellery making?

I have always loved unique things and whenever I shopped around town for jewellery, I rarely found unique ones. So, I began making jewellery for myself and slowly it became a business.

What do you love about your job?

I get to meet all sorts of people and get many opportunities that I would not get in any other job.

What are some of the challenges you face?

The biggest challenge is copying. You come up with a piece and someone copies the exact design and maybe you had told a client that the piece is unique.

Tell us about the growth of your business since 2010…

I began my business in my mum’s house. I would walk around selling my jewellery at events, fashion shows, exhibitions and any place I got an opportunity. Currently, I have a shop in town, a workshop and even have clients in the USA, UK and South Africa.

I have worked hard to build a name for myself. My business has grown to the point where I have had to hire people. I have someone who works on my Facebook page. I have also employed five other people.

How do you balance work and personal life?

I am really enjoying what I am doing; it is especially great to see my dream come true. It is mind-blowing, especially seeing where I have come from. I am young and I still have so much energy so, I find myself constantly working. I am enjoying every moment. I do not really have a personal life I am simply enjoying the opportunities that life throws at me.

What inspires you when you are coming up with a design for your jewellery?

I love colour and it inspires me a lot. If you look at my work, a common theme will be bold colours. I am also inspired by nature.

Do you think it is important to go to school or should one just rely on talent?

It is important to have academic papers to succeed in this world. It is not just about talent. I have attended Kensal School of Design in Ngong’ and last year, I did a Diploma in Business Management.

What are your future plans?

I hope I will have chains of stores in South Africa, UK and US. I also hope that I will be able to create more job opportunities. Though I currently train people in jewellery making, I hope to one day have a top notch jewellery designing school.

What do you do for fun?

I love to hang out with friends and to read.

You are a jack of all trades, what else are you good at?

I can sing and I am currently forming a band. I am good at braiding hair and even braid my own hair. I can also do portraits.

Do you have any advice for aspiring jewellery makers?

Have passion for what you are doing. Love what you do; if you do this for money, then you will be disappointed. When I first got into this business, it was my hobby. I would see people wearing my jewellery and that would excite me. It was never about the money though it was a nice plus.

Secondly, you need to be willing to fight for your dream. Attend events and walk around selling your products. Be the billboard for your products. If you are young and energetic, use your time to work on your talents and be disciplined.

Lastly, dream very big. I never limit myself. Whatever makes me happy, I do.