Many years after experimenting with beading together with income generation and self-help groups, eventually resulting in the UNdress label for repurposed vintage clothing to support a poor social worker - and feeling bored after completing my studies, stuck at home during lockdown, and disconnected from my sister-friends - I started to bead and create jewellery again.
Now, post the COVID-19 lockdowns, the pile of jewellery has increased.
I am certain there is a market for affordable jewellery for women and their sisters/friends. The Ms. Harris brand was created for this side of myself, and for you.
Hopefully, the Ms. Harris brand will raise money for a few of my favourite HIV/Aids and youth charities, and eventually pay my fabulous (almost entirely a) circle of wonderful women - and the wonderful men happy to support wonderful women: Renata (project management, inspiration keeper-upper, marketing and brand); Kevin (brand concept); Karen (design, logo and more) and Sherene (fabulous photographs and fellow jeweller: beautiful wooden rings).
Through this circle, Ms. Harris (my other self) was (re)born. Ms. Harris is funky, flirty, unusual, and creative.
Ms. Harris jewellery is for you and your girlfriends. It's a way of connecting, in these times when we feel so disconnected. It's a way of spoiling and nurturing in these times of no touch. It's a way of giving back, while still reflecting our unique personal style and philosophy...
Please buy this really affordable - dare I say, even cheap - one-off, completely unique, hand-made jewellery. Support the environment with repurposed, wire, hand-made jewellery.
Rings range between R50 and R80.Chokers and necklaces are selling for between R80 and R100. Earrings are between R55 and R80. Others, such as watches for R185, brooches for R50, and so on. And for those wishing to unleash their creative selves, the Ms. Harris DIY kits, with instructions, tips and suggestions, range from R120 to R235.
20% of all proceeds to the above-mentioned charities. Why? you might ask. Well, under my other name/self, I have worked for more than 20 years in the HIV and social impact fields, and I strongly believe that it is possible to change the world, one little act at a time.
Courier services for buyer's account: paxi, PostNet to PostNet, Courier Guy or Fedex.
View, try on, experience and buy the jewellery at certain Picnic and Thrift markets.
Any jewellery-making pop-up or purchase from Thrift Up (Johannesburg Children's Home) ensures 50% of the profits are shared with the JCH!
Guaranteed that you will receive compliments and comments when you wear your unusual, designer jewellery, and one day, you can say, "I bought this when Ms. Harris was just starting out..."
You can care about your community while looking unique and fabulous!