Meet Sakina Manji | Metalsmith & Jeweler

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sakina Manji and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sakina, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I have always questioned too much, and never saw anything wrong with my curiosity. I was constantly asking risky questions, trying risky things, and expressing myself artistically- however that looked. I was raised in a very strict household, so being who I was, in itself, was a risk. However, for whatever reason- I never doubted that part of me and I carried that spirit into my work. My biggest achievements, artistically, have come from taking the biggest risks.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
As a child I was the wildly imaginative kid who spent all her time outside making potions and sculptures with whatever I found. The animals were my friends, and I spent my time drawing, painting, and writing “books” for my family members. I strayed from the normal path as a young adult, graduated high school early at 15 and pursued Art in college after deciding I couldn’t follow the path of a normal career. I thrived as a creative- I made the most out of every opportunity that came my way despite the limitations of an academic career. I worked, created, and took care of my mother. Watching her battle with Stage 4 cancer and being her caretaker has had the deepest impact on my work, I focused so much on processing that through my paintings and sculptures, that by the time I graduated with my Degree I switched perspectives and focused on my jewelry and celebrating her love for adornment, because it made me love it too. The more I learned about how sacred the act of creating and sharing jewelry was, the more I was engulfed in it. It allows me to weave all of my artistic strengths into a central skill- and my deep love for minerals and digging for them goes hand in hand with the metalwork. Through my evolution as a young caretaker, I have learned the importance of true integrity and intention behind action. I feel most nourished when my work reflects this. I truly believe that my life path has taught me how to express myself with deepest intention, infusing everything with absolute love.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I really enjoy exploring Florida as a state, so I would make an itinerary that involved catching the sunrise, exploring one of our beautiful natural springs, eating natural and organic local foods, exploring the galleries and beautiful gardens, and catching sunset by the water. Two of my favorite things about our state is how lush it is, and the creative scene. That’s what I would love to share with others.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I absolutely give credit to my beautiful Mother- who taught me how sacred adornment is, and trusted me with her most precious jewels which I studied as a young girl in awe, and now as an adult, smiling sweetly every time I think of her as the muse for a new piece, a stone I cut, etc. Her spirit is with me now in every single thing I do. Deepest bows of gratitude, also, to my mentors along the way- I have had some incredible beings recognize my creative vigor and give me the opportunity of studying under them and their greatness. It would be my biggest blessing to be able to turn around and share everything I have learned from all of these masters, and carry on the incredible alchemic art that is metalsmithing and adornment creation.

Website: www.nightbreedcreations.com
Instagram: @nightbreed_creations
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nightbreedcreations/

Image Credits
Chanel Fernandez Photography