What we call up-cycling today has been a passion of mine since childhood and environmentalism was instilled in me at school in Australia. I have never been one to buy unnecessary items, especially not high end fashion, my stingy side always urged me to buy 2nd hand, finding joy in making something ordinary look extraordinary.
Fruit nets inspired my first jewelry range, realizing what a shame it is to throw away such great colored material. Going through my treasure box of beads, ribbons, threads n what not ( I hoard crafty things), I ended up making necklaces and bracelets using fruit nets as the cord, thus creating Mancika Designs.
Having enjoyed making jewelry so much, I then went on to merge my love of collaging with jewelry making, using corks and then plastic straws as a ‘canvas’ for mini collages. I source beads from thrift shops, family member, friends and flea markets. Plastic straws are collected from bars, (which are yet to discontinue providing them), then washed, cleaned and up-cylced.
Over the years, through trial and error and not giving up, I believe I have created my very own trademark brand, where no two pieces are ever the same, TLC guaranteed. My pieces are colorful, bold and made in a zero waste workshop.I often support various causes by donating some of my proceedings to environmental funds and orphanages.
