Nilajah Creations

Nashauna Drummond, Lifestyle Coordinator

Moya Nilajah Johnson's hobby of making jewellery has become her new passion in life. She told Flair: "I am a big lover of accessories. Fashion jewellery in particular can entirely change the look of an outfit."

She began making jewellery while she was in college and her sister and friends would ask her to create pieces for them.

"One of the great things about fashion jewellery is that you can use any material available and you can recreate something new from an existing piece."

From there she began reading as much as she could about the art. However, her road to starting 'Nilajah Jewellery' took a few detours.

After obtaining her bachelor's degree in history and archaeology, she entered the classroom at her alma mater, St Hugh's High School, teaching history and social studies for four years.

"Teaching at my alma mater gave me a sense of accomplishment, knowing that I was able to give back to my school through service and assist in shaping young minds. However, I knew in my heart that teaching was not my final destination in life. It felt much more natural and authentic to be creating."

Developing her skills

Fuelled by this passion, she developed her skills through consulting various literary sources and expert jewellery artisans throughout the years. This finally gave rise to Nilajah Jewellery.

Nilajah specialises in unique, hand-made fashion jewellery and offers a wide variety of pieces consisting of natural hand-faceted semi-precious stones, wood, leather and metal.

Growing up, Johnson never envisioned herself in her current position.

"I had varying ideas about professions. In high school where I did the sciences, initially, I thought I would go into medicine but I was much stronger in visual arts and the humanities. Then when I was doing my degree in history and archaeology, I seriously considered going into academia and becoming an archaeologist. But as it turned out, I wanted a family more. I needed to be stationary and a job that would allow me to come home to my children and husband every day."

But additionally, she wanted a certain level of freedom and autonomy. "There is a sense of satisfaction that comes with creating something new and being able to earn a living with your own hands." She would also like to continue teaching, but is now into jewellery making.

She concedes that her rise to having her own business was not a solo effort. It was realised when, "persons who I didn't expect came on-board to help me in making the business a reality. My mother, grandmother, father, sisters, brother-in-law, neighbours, husband and colleagues from my school, close and not so close friends, believed in this venture. They not only put their money where their mouth was, but most important, their time."

For Johnson, the process of creating her designs is divine. "All my designs are given to me by the Holy Spirit. I know it sounds weird, but I have to give God all the glory for this one. Not only do I see them in my head, but I also see the logistics and the technique needed to make the pieces. Don't get me wrong, I have a far way to go and I am still honing my skill and, of course, a second opinion and critiquing from friends and family goes a very long way. God has surrounded me with good people who are able to keep me grounded and constantly provide me with information and the tools needed to make my craft better and better every time."

Check out Nilajah Jewellery on facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/NilajahJewellery or Tel: 865-1501.