Transforming society’s throw-aways into beauty for keeping and wearing A DURBAN woman is taking her passion for fashion to a new level, creating original jewellery pieces from waste.

For the past six years, Siyasanga Tundzi (28) had been constantly asked where she bought her bracelets, bangles and earrings from. “My answer was simple: I made them. I wanted a jewellery piece like it, but could not find it at a store;’ Tundzi said.

Now the Durban University of Technology (DUT) performing arts graduate is running HlubiCreations from her Durban central home with only the social media network Facebook and word of mouth as her marketing tools. “It is about being unique, different, having something completely different from the next person; custom-made pieces suited to people’s personal preferences,” she added.

“It is costly to buy things, so I use material off-cuts, cardboard, match boxes anything I can find and I use them to make phone covers, Wad covers, revamp sunglasses, make earrings, bracelets, necklaces and rings.” Tunzi said because stores bought in bulk, the chances people would find unique but affordable pieces, were slim. “I make only one of each of my items; if I make a double I do it in a different colour,” she said.

Tunzi, a temporary receptionist, said the working hours allowed her the time to run her business as well. “I work one or two days a week, sometimes the whole week, but I always get my work done. I have been doing this for six years anyway,” said Tundzi. She dreams of opening a store by next December. “I would adore that — all this hard work is leading somewhere. I never expected the outcome to become so big in a matter of months,” she said.

In just four months, HlubiCre ations has accumulated hundreds of buyers, including students, brides and now also a stationery shop in town. “Most of the time, it’s friends just telling each other about the fresh African designs of the jewellery; the simplicity of the jewellery; the uniqueness and shapes. “Hlubi-Creations is the green way to be fashion forward as all works are made from ‘up-cycled’ materials.” Cebile Mlaba with a multi-coloured neckpiece made by Hlubi-Creations.

– WITNESS

Photo: Supplied