Entrepreneur of the Week
Sonja van den Heever and Abrie Coetzer Down to Earth Crafting
Hand-designing and creating beautiful bespoke jewellery out of old coins, crystals, copper and even bullets, Down to Earth Crafting is a small locally-owned and run business by Lowvelder-sincebirth Sonja van den Heever.
Van den Heever's jewellery-making journey started back in 2015 after returning from Thailand, however, it was not rings and necklaces she made and sold at first.
"My first products were concrete pots with succulents. I also made and sold concrete tabletop basins," said Van den Heever.
She said when the Covid pandemic hit the world in early 2020, she stopped receiving orders and tried to apply for a job in tourism to keep herself afloat, but in May this year she was retrenched. "I have been doing silversmith workshops since November 2021 and decided to give Down to Earth Crafting new life," she said.
"We make copper, brass and sterling silver jewellery. My partner, Abrie Coetzer, joined me part-time and added his artistic flair to the business as well, with bullet and crystal jewellery."
Van den Heever's favourite thing to create is Africa-shaped rings, while Coetzer enjoys making crystal and precious stone necklaces.
She said their best-sellers are the Africa rings and rings made out of old South African coins.
The pair said they are saving their profits from the business to buy more tools and to build a proper workshop.
Van den Heever said that without the support from the community, Down to Earth Crafting would not exist at all.
The ultimate goal for the business is to get their jewellery into gift shops across the country.