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2012-12-03

Tukula

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When my friend Meredith asked me to design a piece of jewellery for the Ugandan jewellery company Musana, I said yes almost immediately. Musana is a jewellery company based in Lugazi, Uganda that employs local women to provide them with financial stability and education. All their supplies are locally sourced and the profits are all put back into the community.
Excited with the possibilities in accessory design, I high tailed it to the library to take out all the books on jewellery making that I could find. I was going to design something crazy, complicated, awesome... 
And then, somewhere along the way, I thankfully realized this was less about me and my foray into jewellery design and more about Musana. I went back to their aesthetic and decided to intertwine two complementary colours to make a necklace that is cheerful, bold and super wearable (it's available here, bottom right of the page). It was Meredith's idea to add the tag with the word 'Tukula' on it. Tukula meaning 'we grow', something Musana hopes to continue doing within their community and also as an indirect nod to my landscaping roots. 

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Honestly, I designed the necklace because it was an honour to be asked and because I thought it could be a fun project. It feels nice to know that having a fashion blog can lead to the opportunity to help promote a very worthy company. But it all felt a little abstract and far removed until I had the chance to chat to the ladies working for Musana.

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Suddenly, it wasn't about the necklace colours or the fuzzy feelings you get when you help out, it was about giving these ladies the opportunity for a better life. And chatting to them via the magic powers of the internets made that hit home. The ladies sang songs for me, explained their daily routines and asked me about my life in Canada. I explained that we were having a beautiful autumn and they had to google pictures of autumn colours because the concept of turning leaves was so foreign to them.
I remember one woman especially. She just had this sparkle in her eye... it sounds cheesy but it's the first thing you notice about her. Her name was Florence and her name stuck with me, in part because we used to live on a Florence Street a few years ago. When this necklace arrived from Uganda, it contained an introduction card to one of the workers of Musana and it was an interesting coincidence that this card was about Florence. Her story is a hard one. An abusive first marriage, a second marriage that left her widowed and now a third marriage to a man that won't support her children from her previous relationships. This is going to sound so trite, but when I think of Matt not supporting me, I think of him not feeling like taking outfit pictures because we are in a rush or he's tired. Yes, that is my example of Matt's lack of support. For Florence, her husband's lack of support means that children go without. It is, quite frankly, mind blowing. 

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Please think about supporting Musana this Christmas season. You can buy the necklace as a gift for a loved one or maybe as a gift for yourself. As the oft overused expression goes... Treat Yo Self (I will even forgive the use of said expression if you purchase said necklace because the greater good outweighs the annoyance factor.)

Big thanks to Musana for letting me partner with them in this! And of course, thank you to you, for reading and for caring...

*Thanks to my brother for taking pictures!

18 comments :

Heather K. said...

This is a really cool cause. Your design is beautiful and collaborates well with the other necklaces.

Definitely considering this for my sis.

Heather K. said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jennifer said...

Awesome! It turned out great!

xo Jennifer

http://seekingstyleblog.wordpress.com

Anonymous said...

That's a really good cause. And your design is lovely.

Hannah @ Just Call Me HaHa said...

This is such a great cause. Congrats on designing. I've added some items to my Christmas list from the site!

shineisntalwaysshimmer.blogspot.com

Secondhand Stella said...

Love what you designed! Great color combination.

Terri said...

What an amazing cause and a beautiful necklace!
http://stylishsass.blogspot.com

Kristin said...

Really wonderful. I loved reading this post. xo.

Kristin

Betsy said...

Such a beautiful necklace with such beautiful significance. I will be sure to check them out!

http://suspironews.blogspot.com/

Unknown said...

What an amazing organization! And how cool that you got to Skype with these ladies! And your necklace turned out amazingly.

xoxo,
Laura
http://lauraisthriftingthroughlife.blogspot.com/

Bri said...

What a great cause and I love what you came up with!

Anonymous said...

My mother-in-law has been asking what I want for Christmas, and I've been maintaining that I don't need anything because I'd like to cut down on the overly-materialistic side of Christmas. However, I know she'll end up getting me something anyways, so I've just requested one of these necklaces. Thanks for advertising their website! I don't mind getting something frivolous, if it actually helps out a good cause (and their jewelery is so pretty!)

Leah said...

What a special piece, and one to treasure. This is such a great way to support women who are in situations that we cannot even fathom, so great work Jentine!

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