If there is one thing my dad taught me, it’s that a great man never hesitates to make his Queen pretty.
I shop quite as often as I can for those special women in my life I love and adore, I even find it something of a hobby I greatly enjoy. Years ago, I went jewelry shopping with my mom. Quite frankly, it didn’t go quite well.
The store owner was eager to please and brought out his best but I was neither impressed nor pleased. They looked nice but I felt that they lacked a certain something, best way I could articulate it was they didn’t quite reflect my mom’s personality or project her the way I saw her in my mind’s eye.
Finally, I reluctantly made a couple of choices and paid. My mom didn’t seem to understand my complaints, all she saw was the love I was showering.
Sadly, most of the jewelry from that shopping trip ended up faulty within a year of purchase which was upsetting.
Ayoola Adepoju
(BeadsByHarloyar)
Out of the blue, I recently bumped into this 5ft10-inch goofball with a chipper smile, an active imagination, a carefree personality and a happy bounce in his step that works to his advantage.
Ayoola Adepoju. A renowned Nigerian jewelry designer, who has made a name for himself in the industry with his unique designs and attention to detail. He is known for his ability to create custom pieces that showcase the personality and style of his clients, something I greatly look out for now.
Despite his goofy playful personality he is very devoted to his craft often affecting his personal life as such level of talent and devotion did to the likes of Pablo Picasso, Leonardo da Vinci, and others who were highly creative and energetic. His works courts a spark of the keen craftsmanship found amongst the royal British jewelers.
Ayoola has created pieces for a wide range of clients, including celebrities and high-profile individuals. His work has been featured in numerous publications and he has received several awards for his designs. He is also a mentor to other up-and-coming jewelry designers and is passionate about sharing his knowledge and experience with others.
I wanted to know the secret source of his artistic pool that has sold him to those who matter and more. In his chipper manner, he explained:
“I allow my active imagination free rein when I work. I am careful to avoid my inhibitions from standing in the way. I draw on the personality of the client and then I allow myself to be the channel between the client’s need and the unmade jewellery. The only thing I do is learn new techniques and educate myself to be an effective willing host for creativity.”
Ayoola Adepoju’s goal is simply to be a channel of creative jewelry artistry to his clients. His ability to draw inspiration from a wide range of sources and his devotion to his craft make him a true gem in the world of jewelry design. He won me over when he referenced the ancient Egyptian belief that pieces of jewelry especially elaborate ones are a symbol of wealth. It was a deep confirmation to me of his devotion to his work and the depth of his knowledge in this field.
I don’t know about you, but I certainly would prefer someone who has this depth of knowledge to make jewelry for me. Besides, judging from his clientele, walking into a room wearing his work could be the good luck you need on a rainy day.
© Usiada Oma Kunu
