THE CULTURE COLOUR BLOCK

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Specialising in vibrant jewellery made with shweshwe fabric, Nomi Handmade has a rich history that stretches the globe and is celebrated with every piece.

WORDS: SAAHIRAH ISMAIL

Nomi Handmade’s neckpieces, bracelets, and earrings include a variety of thread-wrapping, beading, sewing, and decoupage techniques, all made with shweshwe fabric. Described as the denim or tartan of South Africa thanks to its popularity, shweshwe is made in a variety of colours and printing designs characterised by intricate geometric patterns.

“One of my favourite talking points about Nomi Handmade, apart from it being named after my mom, is the meaning behind the name. Short for Nomgcobo, which means happiness in Xhosa, Nomi is Hebrew for delightful, beautiful, or pleasant – all of which are feelings that shweshwe fabric inspires in the wearer and admirer, alike,” says owner and founder, Thandie Dowery.

History in every stitch

Thandie’s mother was an activist during Apartheid and had to abruptly flee the country some decades ago. On arriving in New York City, she found an overwhelming amount of support from the Jewish community – so much so that she converted to Judaism to show her appreciation for their kindness during such a difficult time. Nomi was one of her nicknames and coincidentally the name that many women take on when they convert to Judaism.

The experiences and memories collected throughout the years between Thandie and her mother have formed the brand today, and Thandie describes it as a “Culture Colour Block”. The brand was given a Jewish name chosen by a Xhosa woman during her time in the US, who birthed a girl that subsequently returned to South Africa and started Nomi Handmade Jewelry, a brand that celebrates a textile of the baSotho people of Lesotho, a country landlocked within South Africa, which is all made by hand in Eastern Cape, South Africa.

The personal touch

Since its inception in 2015, Nomi Handmade has built a local following as well as a loyal clientele abroad. Each piece is made with care and love, by hand, and crafted to the highest quality standards.

Thandie has also expanded the brand and created workshops held at Workshop17 in Kloof Street where people can learn how to make fabric jewelry. The relaxed sessions are a time for everyone to get to know each other over “drinks and tunes”, as Thandie describes it, and an opportunity to get acquainted with shweshwe and learn how to manipulate the fabric into bold and bright jewelry pieces. You can choose between a necklace, pair of earrings, a bracelet or mix it up – and the best part of the workshop is whatever you make, you get to take!