Hello, I Am Charlene Ngige
Charlene Ngige is a recent graduate of University of Pennsylvania, and a product marketer at Google. In this edition of Hello I Am, she talks about the creation story of Adah Atelier, her handmade jewelry brand.
I started making jewelry in 2018 after I cut my hair. It was a big moment because my hair meant a lot to me, and I just wasn’t as confident with my appearance after I cut it. It’s funny because prior to this, I never wore jewelry. I always said that I was not a jewelry person. I became extremely interested after, though. Anyway, I had a lot of free time that summer, and stumbled upon this video about a jewelry making technique called wire wrapping. I picked it up, and fell in love. I really enjoyed the process of learning something new, and bringing a vision to life with my own hands.
I draw inspiration from paintings, colours, architecture, and sometimes nature. My process varies. If I have an idea in my head, sometimes I sketch it out just to better visualise what it could look like when I make it. Other times, I have a vague idea, so I just start creating and see where I end up. It’s really trial and error because even if I have a clear idea in my head, more often than not, it might not turn out the way I expected it to. So I would have to go back to the drawing board, and figure out what I can change the next time around. Or sometimes, I might like the outcome better than what I had in my head. For me, though, the most important thing is knowing the technique really well, and being comfortable with experimenting with different styles.
Although jewelry making is something that I am very passionate about, sometimes I can go months without feeling like creating anything. That has to be my biggest challenge. During those periods, I find it helpful to force myself to make something, even if it does not turn out well. Just the process of creating triggers a desire to continue creating. That’s something I have noticed about art in general; the more you do it, the more you create, the easier it is to generate new ideas. I have also noticed that during periods when I am not creating as consistently, it is much harder to visualize things I want to make in my head.
My jewelry making process had always been personal but last year, I realized I wanted to create a business out of it, and started taking steps towards that. One of the most important things about building a brand is having an audience. So, I figured that documenting my journey would be the best way to build an audience, because then I would have a community that had seen me build the business. That way, I will be able to create an authentic connection with my target audience.
Consequently, although I had been making jewelry for about three years, I decided to pivot to a different style and medium of jewelry making. This way, I would be able to document my journey with a community that could see my growth. So the whole of last year was dedicated to me learning new mediums, and also trying to find my style and aesthetic. It’s another challenge I have, actually. I want people to be able to look at my pieces and instantly identify that I created them. But I am learning not to rush the process, and to enjoy the journey. Because it takes time. I am also learning not to put myself in a box. I don’t necessarily have to fit in one style, and I could have multiple styles if I wanted.
Wowww, beautiful, a star 🤩
Beautiful pieces!