Njoku Amarachukwu Chiemena is the brain behind House Of Ola, a jewelry outfit that specializes in unique hand-knit pieces. Basically she is self-taught but has honed her skills in a school across the borders.

Saturday Sun spoke to her recently in Lagos.

When you say unique, what exactly do you mean by that?

In an industry where copying is the order of the day, Ola is extremely different. To start with, I don’t source for regular pieces; I go out of my way to get unique pieces. I sketch and design pieces that can compete and stand out anywhere in the world.

You mentioned sketching? What is it all about?

An idea might just flash in your head, you might forget it the next instant, so you just need to put down the drawings so as to  keep it and later go back to it. Sometimes, I would be making something and then an inspiration comes into my head, I have to sketch it immediately and examine it later.

Are beadwork and jewelry- making the same thing?

They are very similar. Jewelry has to do with metal crafting. At the moment I am still training to become a goldsmith. When you combine bead making and jewelry -making, it is something wonderful. They are almost the same thing. It is the same inspiration, the same handwork; you are just using different materials. To make beads, you use beads, to design jewelry, you use metals.

How do you decide what you want to create?

It depends on what comes into my head. When you get inspired, you sketch. When you sketch regularly, creation is on a chain rotation. It’s always on to the next project for me.

In jewelry -making, what kind of materials work together and which don’t?

I hate plastic beads. I don’t think anything can work with plastic. You can only use it when you are training people. Plastic beads look extremely cheap. You cannot catch me working with plastic beads. Gemstones go perfectly well with anything. And then you have Swarovski beads. I use Preciosa a lot for bracelets. Everything works well except for plastic beads.

Why is plastic beads not the ideal material to use?

They peel. They have a cheap look. When it peels, the inferiority becomes so pronounced and it gives a very shabby and cheap look. In fact it spoils one’s creativity.

Beyond applying basic technique, how does the jewelry design invoke an emotional response to the jeweler?

People are wowed by something out of the ordinary. Everybody these days is doing layers of beads. When you see normal layers, there is no wow factor. Everybody is doing 10 layers of crystal beads.  It is regular. But when people see something out of the ordinary, that involves different techniques like matting, netting, proper blend of colours, people are wowed. Every jewelry piece should be a reflection of the jeweler’s passion. Your craft should draw people to you.

When can you say enough is enough when creating in artistry?

There are some people, when you see them, they look submerged. Before your customer wears her neckpiece, please do try it on a mannequin first. See how it looks on a mannequin and a truly creative person with a good eye will know when it is just perfecto.

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When you are creating a piece, what is the most important thing to you?

Customers. Making something that the customer would love. Sometimes, when I am making a piece, I have a particular client in mind. I understand what my customers like. The Nigerian market is evolving. People are not all about the regular things anymore. People are intrigued by art and creativity now in Nigeria. So, when I am making a piece, I have the Nigerian market at the back of my mind, creating something that I am sure will appeal to them. At the end of the day, everybody wants to make profit, so you are thinking of something you are making that people would like to buy.

What are the three key things a jewelry designer can’t do without?

The sketch book, pliers, in fact different types of pliers, and a stringing room.

What are some of the qualities of an Ola piece?

An Ola piece is timeless. It is not something that will fade over the years. It will make you stand out wherever you go. It is something that keeps people talking and interested in your appearance.

When are sparkles too much?

When you are blending the piece, just be minimal in what you are doing. Be easy on sparkles, yet classy.

What is the most important skill a jewelry maker should have?

You have to be creative. You have to be able to imagine. You have to think, you have to improvise. The most important to me is your creativity.

As a jewelry maker, what is your most favourite material?

I like working with pearls a lot and corals as well. You can never go wrong with them. They are timeless and can never go out of fashion. Anytime you bring out a piece that is made of pearl, it is exquisite. The queen of England has been wearing pearls since God knows when. As simple and dramatic as it may look, it is still classy. And if you wear a piece of coral, everybody just assumes that you are royalty. They are two pieces that no matter what you make them with, they always come out well.

What are the trends today in fine jewelry?

These days, matting jewelry is back, the long one. In Nigeria, the trend used to be the heavy coral, but now people are doing small pieces of jewelry. Again, Zicornia is really taking over the market, so also long dainty jewelry pieces, and gypsy jewelry.

What is that one thing you hope to achieve with every piece you work on?

Something that will last forever, something people will bring out 10 or 20 years later and it will still stand out. I want people to have value for their money, something that is priceless.

What is your favourite about being a designer?

You are not restricted to sitting down in the office 8am to 5pm. You are inspired by different things, you are like a butterfly, you are everywhere.