Boitshoko Kebakile-Mashaba shares the story behind her jewellery, which reminds the wearer of their divine nature.
The simple yet old adage of “God is Good“ is one used frequently worldwide by those who have Catholic, Christian, and other religious backgrounds. Back home in Botswana, given our predominantly Christian population, the Setswana version of this phrase, “Modimo O Mogolo”, is used quite often in everyday language.
Personally, I have a Catholic religious background. I have vivid memories of attending Sunday school as a child in preparation for all of the sacraments, from baptism to confirmation. While I no longer subscribe to any religion, I do believe in God/ The Creator of all that is, the very embodiment of Love. This old adage has stuck with me and become a faith-based reminder that in good or challenging times, one must always give gratitude and know that the source of all that is has your back.
Such was the rationale behind the creation of this simple unisex bracelet: to remind myself that God / the universe is always listening and supporting me as I go through my journey of life. The jewellery I make is typically imbued with the themes of the musings of my soul and heart, and that is how this product was born.
My work contains strong messages of sustainability: the importance and responsibility of sharing the providence of the raw materials I use, as well as the all-important aesthetics and craftsmanship that goes into each piece I make. My north star is to always imbue the pieces with a message that lifts one’s vibrations with a reminder of one’s innate identity. We are divine spiritual beings who have human experiences.
Hence, the name of my brand is House of Divinity.
However, my design process, as stated earlier, is very much a personal journal entry of my meditations, musings and channelings, and I rarely consider whether the audience will purchase or even like my creations. As an artist jeweller, I choose to trust that my pieces will resonate with those they are meant to, thus giving rise to a particularly special and sacred bond between myself and my clients.
To quote one of my favourite creative minds, Rick Rubin,
“In terms of priority, the inspiration comes first, you come next, the audience last.”
I resonate with this line of thinking as I find it’s the best way to ensure the birth of authentic creations that truly capture an artist’s voice. The honour of resonance with the public is a most treasured gift from the universe, but not the main priority.
This is why, then, it is so humbling to have those that resonate with one’s creations, particularly given the deeply personal nature of the product that jewellery is. I have been bowled over by the strong positive feedback from my audience that actually resulted in this simple bracelet becoming one of my brand’s best sellers.
Kindly allow me to share the words of a Wife and Husband who bought matching bracelets four years ago;
Ferdinand Sebinyane :
“I wear the bracelets daily because they remind me that God is faithful and always with me.”
His wife, Dineo Sebinyane, shared the following:
“When I see him wear his, it reminds me that God is with him, which brings comfort to my spirit. For us, the bracelets have been a beautiful reminder that we are protected and they bring a sense of a hug from the Divine, a bit like the Evil Eye protection symbol, but better”.
The stories and feedback of what the bracelet means to my different clients have, in turn, been a most treasured reminder for me to trust my creative intuition and to continue telling my story of culture, art, and all that makes my heart sing through jewellery.
I will eternally be a student of my craft and, in turn, of life, and I pray that God continues to grant me the deep honour of serving humanity by helping to lift the vibrations of each client I adorn as I seek to lift my own and to continue to remind self and all, that we are simply divine beings having a human experience.
About Boitshoko Kebakile-Mashaba
Boitshoko Kebakile-Mashaba is a Vogue featured and award-winning jeweller from Botswana who currently lives in Aotearoa with her Husband and their Son. She has been a bench jeweller for five years and works primarily with brass, copper, and silver. She adores working with the energy of different stones. She looks forward to being an eternal student of her craft and evolving her brand into the fine jewellery industry. She is a Pisces with a love for martial arts, music and jewellery. Visit www.houseofdivinity.shop.
