EDMONTON, AB | Joelle has taken on several projects, as an entrepreneur and business owner. Joelle designs jewelry based on her West African culture and the Akan symbolism, turning traditional jewelry into unique and meaningful modern pieces. She named her business “Jean Wenceslas Jewels” as a tribute to her late father. She also promotes the same culture and art through a project that she recently launched with the support of her son Joachim where they co-create designs for their new brand, WANY- Wear Adinkras Nurture Yourself.
Joelle’s business was a chance for her to process her loss, and share her culture. Joelle shares “I always had a passion for jewelry, and it was something I shared with my family especially my mother. When my father passed in 2015 I knew I wanted to pay tribute to his memory, but also honour our culture and find an outlet for my grief. It started as a personal process and I found when I created things, time stopped and I could just focus on putting things together. It helped me to cope and move forward.”
Joelle put together some of her work, and people started showing interest and inviting her to markets and events. Joelle also began running workshops, where she invites people to make jewelry pieces, while also learning about Akan culture and sharing the healing power of the creative process. “Yes, we are going to work on jewelry, but this is going to mean something to you and the piece you create will come with a deeper meaning, that you will put your heart and feelings into the process” shared Joelle.
Looking to the future, Joelle looks forward to continuing to support her community through her work, growing her business and promoting West African culture. Having recently also lost her mother, Joelle shared “I have found happiness in my business and want to share the legacy my mother has left me”.
