INTERVIEW WITH BESSY BUGO

I first met bessy bugo around the same time i started blogging.i was supposed to go meet my friends in town so we could go somewhere and i was actually mad to see them chilling at a restaurant yet we were late.once i sat down that's when i noticed bessy was there and they were checking out her stuff and buying.i remember telling a friend of mine how she uses really beautifull stones and beads..a friend of mine put an order for a necklace and two weeks later i saw the piece.been in love with her work ever since.i have seen her grow and it's really amazing.i caught up with her recently and here is what she had to say..

Full name please
bessy bugo..designer at bessy bugo jewellery and accessories

when and how did you start making jewellery? is it something you always wanted to do?

I started making jewellery five years ago but back then it was an on and off thing.i started doing it seriously from July 2011.

many people struggle when starting out something until they have a break.when do you feel like you finally had that break? when people started recognizing and appreciating your brand? 

It's been crazy thus the on and off breaks thinking I am doing the wrong thing,but when i finally set my mind that this is my life..and it's all i wanted to do,people started appreciating my work and i would say that when  guys started calling wanting jewellery custom made for them,i knew i was heading on the right track..the few media interviews i have had also have been helpful

what material do you use to make your stuff?
 I mostly use brass, cow horn,bone,leather,trade beads and recycled glass materials to make my jewellery..

wow,that's a lot to work with. how do you go about pricing your items
pricing totally depends on the material used on a particular piece,then the design...some jewellery pieces will take you a whole day making....so time taken also matters and of course labor..

fair enough.sometimes we all go through that time when inspiration levels are down or have heavy stuff going on in our lives.how do you maintain the quality of your items at that time?
when there are those low moments and i am also  not so inspired,i keep work aside a bit,have some me time,reflect on what's happening around me and to me,and pray... its magical how i bounce back to making jewellery.jewellery making is a form of stress therapy too.

now i have to ask this..do you ever have those kind of friends that want free jewellery? well,because they are your friends?
haha.i used to have lots of those when i started off and i didn't believe in my work being all that good..but now my friends totally support me....one of my best client Claire Stylifiq Ngunjiri is actually an awesome close friend....
what are you working on at the moment?
I'm currently working on a valentine's collection.I am bringing together all the brass,horn,trade beads......bits of all materials i use together with love in mind to make awesome pieces for my customers

 it's amazing how guys are so multi talented.is there anything else you are so good at?
weaving......and you should taste my cooking..

where do you get inspiration from?
from nature,when i see smiles on my clients faces,shapes,everything really!

what is the most amazing thing you have ever made that blew even your own mind?
a statement piece of necklace i made for a client who was leaving for Britain.i almost made her leave without it.i felt like it should belong to me.that i should keep it and show it to the world..

I almost thought that never happens to designers.wanting something you have made for a client.anyway,how can my readers get in touch with you?
oh trust me,always happens.The good thing is that i have the power to recreate a similar piece.i have a Facebook fan page bessy bugo jewellery and accessories or they can reach me via my mobile phone .+254715830356

any parting shot?
lets embrace our African heritage and culture by rocking African jewellery.....its who we are...

ED note:cuffs go for 600shillings,earrings go for 300shillings,sandals go for 1700shillings and the neckpieces range from 800 to 1500.and for my readers across the globe,that's roughly 8$,4$,20$, and a range between 9$-18$ respectively.so,if you like any of this pieces or would love to have bessy bugo make you a little something pretty,now you know where to find her.oh and bessy,i doubt whether you are a better cook than i am:} thanx for checking in today guys.as always,let me know what you think in the comment section below.xoxo