Shamhu: Zim’s own queen of African print earrings

WHILE Zimbabwe has many internationally-renowned music artistes, a few art and craft creatives have had their works recognised and traded on international markets.

Harare-based Winnie Linda Shamhu (38) is among the few who are surviving through making jewellery and accessories from African prints.

In an interview with NewsDay Life & Style, Shamhu said she started the crafting trade in 2018 when she was on leave from her formal job and the pastime has turned her into an accomplished queen of African print earrings.

“I took one month leave and had nothing meaningful to do with that time. So, one day I asked myself the question that since I come from a family of talented people (her father is a carpenter and sister is a cloth designer), does that mean I am the only one incapable of working using my hands? That is when I pushed myself to start creating African print earrings,” she explained.

As someone who loves fashion and is passionate about it,

Shamhu turned her passion into a part-time job.

“Another thing that drove me to start creating is I wanted to supplement my income by earning extra dollars. I am not registered with anyone or any arts board. This is something that I am doing part-time with the help of my husband Farai Sengwe and my sister Chido Shamhu who gives me off-cuts of fabrics to make some of my accessories,” she said.

While most fashionable people go for expensive gold and silver jewellery, Shamhu indicated that creating African accessories from African prints is quite affordable and promotes African pride.

Although working as a jewellery crafter has its pros and cons, for Shamhu, the art and skill to make hand-crafted accessories has been of financial benefit.

“My pieces are mainly bought by people from abroad who see my work on social media platforms such as Instagram. I am grateful that my business has grown as I continue to receive orders from abroad,” she noted.

Some of the accessories

Shamhu makes include wear your drink/pick your drink earrings collection, vinyl bags and coasters.