Meet Meraki Creations. A brand of unique, locally handcrafted jewelry as well as lifestyle accessories owned by Faith Sookram. The jewelry ranges from quality gold-filled and sterling silver pieces to materials with greater affordability such as silver plated and stainless steel, and is adorned with semi-precious stones, swarovski elements and more.

“I create earrings, necklaces, anklets, bracelets etc. I mindfully incorporate healing crystals and semi-precious stones in many of our pieces to enhance the wearer’s lifestyle by channeling the properties or symbolisms of the various crystals and gemstones. The service of custom-made jewelry is a major part of my brand as well, as I find a great deal of fulfillment in providing customers with one of a kind pieces that not only reflect my creative style, but also captures their unique tastes, aesthetics and their needs in the case of crystal healing jewelry. I prioritize merging quality, individuality and positivity while being mindful of affordability when creating and marketing my products.”

When it comes to the name of the brand, Faith says the word ‘Meraki’ is an idyllic greek word which refers to the love and creativity which is put into your work, leaving a part of yourself or the essence of your soul in what you do. “Essentially, there is no better word to reflect the relationship I have with my craft. Every piece I create is done with absolute devotion and love. I am also mindful of allowing this philosophy to translate into my customer interactions, in the sense that I do not simply view it as a business transaction. I hope to positively impact each person I connect with through this brand, even if in the most humble ways. I find absolute joy in seeing my pieces enhance the lives of their wearers, whether by bringing a sense of confidence, fostering moments of joy and love in the case of custom gifts, in the case of my crystal healing pieces enforcing the positive intentions they set for themselves, or even just completing their outfits.”

Faith initially came up with the concept for the business in December of 2017 when she was a student at University pursuing her undergraduate degree. “It served as my creative outlet during that time, as my fervent passion for jewelry making is almost a meditative craft. However, during the transitional period of going from student to the world of work, I took a very extended hiatus in order to focus on balancing other aspects of my life. My love for crafting and creating never dwindled, and the excitement of participating in pop-up shops and interacting with artisans and customers alike, was sorely missed from my life during that time. Hence, I decided to rebrand and dive in again, and I definitely feel as though I am in the place where I am equipped to devote the time, effort and passion into this brand.”

When it comes to milestones, Faith says participating in a number of pop up shops and being featured in events hosted by the Ministry of Community Development, Culture and the Arts are on the top of her list. “Most recently we have rebranded and relaunched and ready to create unique products while serving our customers in dynamic and improved ways.” Other milestones include registering the business formally and stocking items at Junckollage at the Queen’s Park Oval and Scribbles and Quills.

Faith has also learned many lessons in her journey as an entrepreneur. “I’ve had many take-aways from experiences along the way. One of the key things I’ve learned and try to incorporate into my craft is to honor your authenticity as a creator. There are unique gifts and strengths within each of us that will make our brands completely one of a kind and set us apart from others within any field or market, regardless of how saturated it may or may not be, as long as we lean into our individuality and focus on our creative journey. I think the people and spheres which our products are meant for will inevitably find us when we capitalize on our uniqueness rather than trying to compare or conform to whatever else is on the market.”

Faith also has advice for those who may want to begin their journey as an entrepreneur. “I think there is an incredible value in connecting with other entrepreneurs or artisans when you’re beginning your journey. Not only does the sense of community empower you, but there is a lot to learn from others, whether it be content creating or marketing strategies. I also feel as though sometimes we’ve got to start before we’re ready and step out of our comfort zones when it comes to passions or ideas that we hope to grow into entrepreneurial ventures.”

Faith values the fact that her pieces are created either one of a kind or in small quantities (love for the slow fashion movement), so that her customers receive pieces which are truly unique, as well as the fact that custom orders are facilitated, which can bring a customer’s sentiments, ideas and aesthetics to life. “What I feel makes me stand out is the relational aspect with my customers, as most times I consult with them thoroughly to tailor pieces to their needs and tastes and capture the essence of both my brand as well as their desires into unique pieces. For example, a customer may come to me after a break-up for a custom crystal necklace which would enhance her journey and the end result would be a unique rose quartz crystal necklace with a companion affirmation card which promotes a sense of confidence and self-love to add the tiniest bit of positivity into her everyday life, making her simple piece of jewelry a tool for healing as well as a fun accessory. Or a guy will message for the perfect accessory to gift his significant other and we’ll create tasteful, high quality sterling silver and Swarovski earrings which become a timeless addition to her collection, and a piece which now carries the sentiment of love.”

Check out Meraki Creations for unique, handcrafted jewelry and lifestyle accessories.