Rhythmen charms

'Rhythmen' in their first stage of creation. These cheery African fellows will soon be converted into necklaces.

This is the line of jewellery that I presented to the Bath Spa University business plan judges. I was told that the worry with selling such figures is that they may come off as racist because I am a white South African selling them. I had NOT thought of this at all. To me, these are figures that embody the intense joy and love of life that I find the native AFRICANS exhibit so much more than many of us in the Western society to which I have been exposed. The judges suggested I make my business into a social enterprise - perhaps teach people from South Africa how to make them and then market/sell them in the UK as fair trade. After all, how many of us don't feel good about 'doing the right thing'.

At the moment, I do not have the money to begin such as enterprise, and frankly, would only donate money when I am earning enough to support myself FIRST. The quote is: 'help yourself before you help others'. And so, I will go on marketing and selling my Rhythmen - African figures that embody the African Rhythm of Life and that are charms to bring HOPE, JOY and ENERGY!

Please comment or tell me what YOU think. Thank you!