Deirdre Figueiredo tells the story of a remarkable collective of migrant and refugee jewellers who, after twenty years, are passing on their skills.
Craftspace is a creative producer commissioning exceptional contemporary craft based in Birmingham, UK. Charity that builds relationships between artists, people and organisations to encourage the sharing of ideas, skills and knowledge.
We do this through touring exhibitions, projects and community engagement, harnessing the power of making.
Shelanu, which means “belonging to us” in Hebrew, is a craft collective of migrant and refugee women formed in 2010 and incubated by us with their own creative jewellery studio in our offices. The story actually began in 2004 when Craftspace initiated a collaboration with an organisation called the Community Integration Partnership (CIP) linked to an exhibition we were curating exploring the notion of self through jewellery and photography. The Meeting of Hands and Hearts was very beneficial, and we continued to work with CIP. After a few successful artist-facilitated projects making artwork and products which were exhibited at the Crafts Council’s contemporary craft fair Origin, we saw the potential for women to transition and progress from being recipients and beneficiaries of arts activity to becoming creative producers who could contribute to the creative economy. The social enterprise model seemed most appropriate for circumstances in which many women weren’t allowed to earn individually but could gain a sense of worth through earning for the enterprise.
We secured funding for three years, appointed a part-time manager, and began recruiting women into a pathway through a series of taster activities that utilised the cityscape and cultural institutions.
Roots to Trade Project
Participants researched the industrial heritage of the city and took walking tours of the architecture and other topography. These inspired contemporary pieces, which, in my view, perform a role as new markers or signifiers denoting place, and they represent a form of new creative vernacular. Individual pieces are exhibited at a craft fair for feedback and to test the marketplace.
On return, Shelanu was formed by a core group of women who chose jewellery making as their focus. Evoking the spirit of “a city of a thousand trades” and “workshop of the world”, as Birmingham was known during the industrial revolution, and linking to the still-thriving Jewellery Quarter, Shelanu principally makes jewellery to sell. Jewellery with a local heart but encompassing global cultures. We also set out to explore the value of collective making and creative authorship, which also engenders a social return as well as unique co-created products infused with multiple diverse cultural perspectives, lived experiences, knowledge and skills.
Shelanu’s mission was to create a safe space for women to benefit from coming together and being with others, to develop craft skills, confidence and well-being, selling and exhibiting locally, nationally and internationally, working to commission and sharing skills through public and peer-to-peer workshops. Over the past 13 years, women have received comprehensive training, including creative training with professional makers, business training, artists in schools & safeguarding training, branding & packaging training, and media training.
They created their first batch, produced and hand finished enamel collection Migrating Birds: a visual symbol encapsulating the sense of journey to Birmingham. Any manufacturing required is always done locally in the Jewellery Quarter, contributing to the craft ecology.
Undertook their first bespoke retail commission for a museum shop, creating laser-cut jewellery inspired by an exhibition on the theme of conflict, peace and resolution. They linked with a digital fabrication company in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter, which was a new skill for the women.
At key civic moments for the city, Shelanu has exerted influence and been a unique and visible vehicle to promote diversity and cohesion. They have contributed to place-making in an authentic and homegrown way. Story Meadow, a large-scale installation in collaboration with artist Jivan Astfalk, invited the public to define Birmingham through the contribution of migrants to the city. It was made during a one-week residency to celebrate the opening of the new Library of Birmingham, a powerful connection with the democratic idea of “the commons”, the commons of thought for all people, free to enter and learn, whoever you are.
Souvenir Range
Determined to have a further stake in place making, Shelanu designed a new souvenir range for Birmingham. Unlike anonymous factory-produced items, these souvenirs, borne out of a handmade process, are imbued with authenticity, integrity, and intentionality. They were produced and sourced locally, binding the story of Shelanu to place. The City Council purchased the Shelanu souvenir range as civic gifts for visiting delegations.
Interlocking Stories
The second collection, where shapes interlock, symbolises how the women felt they fitted together as a harmonious group. They created their own hallmark, which provided a sense of validation.
The latest collection, Nurture, utilises sustainable and circular methods of production using off-cuts of wood and cross-cultural visual imagery relating to wellbeing. All the collections are sold through craft fairs with members selling directly to the public. This engagement is affirming and helps to combat negative press portrayals of migrants.
They share their skills as well as their interpretations of identity and belonging, promoting messages of cohesion.
The women regularly give creative workshops in the community, enabling diverse participants to express and represent themselves. Some members are paid and some volunteer. They share their skills as well as their interpretations of identity and belonging, promoting messages of cohesion. Through this process, they can model and become confident ambassadors of their city as well as empowered cultural citizens.
Women’s Maker Movement was a two-year programme of craft and enterprise activities facilitated by Shelanu members. They worked with 90 women across three community organisations. Over a series of workshops, women made their own jewellery collection exploring identity and place. They were also introduced to basic business skills with inspiring talks from local enterprise start-ups. Largely South Asian Muslim women, they were free to explore personal imagery and designs. Some transferred their skills in sugar craft to modelling in polymer clay.
In summary, Shelanu exemplifies an alternative pathway to creative practice, bringing to market unique products that wouldn’t otherwise exist. In the process, it supports women’s transition to an integrated life. Shelanu is about much more than making jewellery. Making is a catalyst in a process of discovery and learning, enabling women to find friends, independence, community and active citizenship. It shows how craft and making can unify.
This article was based on a presentation to the European Craft Alliance ‘Craft Social’ Webinar, 8th April 2025
Visit craftspace.co.uk/shelanu like facebook.com/ShelanuCollective
Deirdre Figueiredo is Director of Craftspace, Birmingham, UK.
