S jo Diary: Pakistan Trip — S jo

S jo was born out of a RCA design PhD project looking to evolve power & privilege specifically within the act of craft practice between traditional women’s craft communities and NGOs/designers in development. It consistently searches for new vocabulary & syntax for traditional craft skills and makers. Our signature jewellery, conceptualised in 2011, values each craftwoman’s creativity. The magic of our pieces comes from the symphony of working together as different craftswomen, in a nurturing and mutual learning space.

S jo Founder – Seher x


S jo has been sold at the Victoria & Albert Museum, London and the Whitworth Art Gallery, Manchester. A testament to our refined craft work and originality pioneered in 2011.

S jo Diary: Pakistan Trip

The December/January trip to Pakistan had many exciting new beginnings. Our founder started working with the Olive Ridley Project with fishing communities on the re-use and up cycling of ghostnets. The fibres of most current nets are made from nylon and polyester, making it impossible to degrade. Sadly, most old fishing nets are abandoned in the ocean. This disrupts the ocean eco-system and also impacts local fisherman who have less fish to catch for their livelihoods. The fishing communities we are working with live in coastal villages on the outskirts of Karachi (the largest city).

Beach at the RMG village with wooden boats of local fisherman

Beach at the RMG village with wooden boats of local fisherman

Monofilament, nylon and polyester fishing nets

Monofilament, nylon and polyester fishing nets

Seher will continue to conduct a series of workshops with the women of the community to gradually develop a range of products that upcycle and re-use ghostnets, based on their existing traditional craft skills, with the aim of an alternative income to fishing for the community. We will keep you informed when the products are ready for purchase.

First workshops at RMG village

First workshops at RMG village

First workshops at RMG village

First workshops at RMG village

Our two-prong approach also saw us experimenting with the material with existing S jo communities with seasoned makers.

 

AGJ village: sampling with nylon yarns in embroidery

AGJ village: sampling with nylon yarns in embroidery

AMB village: discussing how to use ghost nets in weave

AMB village: discussing how to use ghost nets in weave

In other exciting news, we have introduced handcrafted rose wood and brass elements into our S jo jewellery. For this we are working with experienced craftsmen in urban workshops, whose crafts are being abandoned for cheaper alternatives. Whether moulding and beating brass by hand or fashioning small pieces of wood delicately, these artisan communities are highly skilled. Sadly, their numbers are in decline.

Wood workshop, Karachi

Wood workshop, Karachi

Sneak peak Jhoolay necklace...

Jhoolay necklace

Jhoolay necklace

…and the Peetal dori necklace

Peetal Patti necklace

Peetal Patti necklace

Do send us your feedback if you would like to see more mixed media jewellery! We would love to hear from you!

S jo Diary: What’s in store…

S jo Diary: What’s in store…

Now stocking in Australia

Now stocking in Australia

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