Meet Mikayla
Hi! I'm Mikayla. I'm currently an Environmental Education intern, I studied Marine Biology, and I'm still figuring out where my life is going, but I love all things nature and conservation and just want to make the world a better place.
Most days I walk to work, spend the day working on programmes, and walk back home afterwards. Then I try to spend a little time every day on MCM, either crafting, or posting on Instagram, or updating my storefront. There's a lot of admin behind the scenes so crafting doesn't always come first, but it's the part I love most, so I always make time for it.
How would you describe what you create?
Whimsical, magical and quirky creations, ranging from jewellery to accessories, and décor to bookish products.
When did your creative journey begin?
I've always been a creative person, but it was during the COVID-19 lockdown, when boredom struck, that I actually took on something I'd been wanting to try for a while: wire-wrapping gemstones! I really enjoyed it, and kept practicing.
It started as something I was doing for myself, but soon my friends saw my creations and wanted them too. So I started making more and expanding on the things I made. Eventually I started selling at markets too, as I've always enjoyed attending markets. It all kind of snowballed from there!
What inspires your work the most?
I think the ocean is my biggest inspiration. It's always been my safe place, so it has naturally always come up in my work. Whether by using shells, or ocean themed charms, or just colours that fit the vibe.
My love for books is also evident in my creations, from bookish themed jewellery to bookmarks and book page spreaders. Reading is a part of who I am and therefore part of my craft. The same goes for crystals, gemstones and other pretty things. I've always collected gemstones and crystals as a hoarder, so I wanted to try start doing something with them too.
Where do your best ideas come from?
I'm not always sure where my ideas come from. Sometimes I just go with the flow. I do use Pinterest inspiration when I'm trying to create something more specific, or looking for ideas in a certain item.
I think I feel my most creative when I'm re-purposing old thrifted jewellery into new pieces, or when I pick up a shell or crystal and just see what I want to make with it in my mind's eye.
Your favourite part of the making process?
What an interesting question, I've never really thought about it. But probably that moment as you put the final touches on the piece and it all comes together. There's nothing like seeing something you've made in its final form.
And the most challenging part?
Honestly, I don't think I find any real challenges in the making process. For me, it's what comes after that's the real challenge. I always get so stuck with uploading each item onto my site (well, now Zeko!). Finding the time to create a listing for each item has always been something that fills me with anxiety, and I'm not even sure why haha.
What would surprise customers about your work?
The making part actually doesn't take that long. Well, in comparison to the rest of the effort: marketing, uploading items, applying for markets, sourcing materials.
Speaking of sourcing materials, this can also be a lot harder than some people expect. Sourcing decent quality materials sold locally, or even just available in South Africa, can be a real challenge. In fact, it's probably my biggest challenge when it comes to creating. South Africa doesn't have nearly as many options as places like America and Europe when it comes to sourcing our raw materials, specifically wire. They have so many awesome options overseas that we just don't get, and importing isn't worth the cost in so many ways. So sometimes we have to get extra creative, as the ideal material isn't actually available.
A favourite material or tool?
That's a really interesting question. I think I'd have to say my wire work. It's where I started and it's definitely still my favourite. I love weaving the wire into unique shapes and using different tools to do so. Most of the time my beloved pliers take centre stage, but sometimes I'll find myself using random items to make unique shapes, like lip balm tubes, pens and rulers.
What's your workspace like?
My workspace is always a mess lol. I do wish it wasn't, but when your creative workspace doubles as your laptop desk, dinner table, journaling spot, and pretty much every type of sitting spot in your room, it tends to get very crowded. I'd love to one day have my own little studio space in a house or apartment of my own, but for now it works and that's all that matters.
My essentials are basically just my laptop or tablet playing my current favourite show. My brain doesn't operate properly unless there's something playing whilst I'm creating. Otherwise I might have a glass of Coke Light, or perhaps a cup of hot chocolate in winter, and maybe even a snack if I'm working for a particularly long session.
A piece you're especially proud of
It's a new product of mine. I'm not even sure what to call it yet. It's a type of suncatcher or hanging décor made with pieces of iridescent shell like abalone. I love my first one so much, I'm even reluctant to sell it!
I'm particularly proud of this product because I put a lot of effort and love into it. I was so scared that the Dremel would damage the shell as I made the hole in it, and when it worked nicely, I had so many ideas of what to do with it. I'm really excited to make more of these, but each one will be entirely unique, as it's completely dependent on the piece of shell itself, and what it inspires.
The pieces are all sustainably sourced on a remote beach, with plenty of shells to spare, and I never take more than a handful at a time. I also never take full shells that I know can be used by animals like hermit crabs, only broken pieces and the occasional full one.
The biggest lesson as a small business owner
The biggest lesson I've learnt is that you have to be your own cheerleader. No one is going to care as much about your business, your products, your work, more than you. You have to advocate for yourself, put yourself out there, and keep pushing your work.
Part of what comes with this is being your own influencer, your own salesperson, your own voice. You need to be confident in your products and let yourself shout from the rooftops. I think the best advice I have in this regard is to put some energy into learning how to market yourself and learning the basics of social media. I'm not even fully there yet, but I am definitely making it a priority to learn.
How do you want customers to feel?
I want my customers to feel like they've just added a bit of whimsy to their lives. Like they've just bought a little piece of magic to carry with them in everyday life. Like they have a unique piece of jewellery or décor just for them, or their loved ones. Or like they've found the perfect piece to complete an outfit or add to their everyday look.
What's next?
For a long time, I've really wanted to start soft-soldering. It will be quite the investment for me, so it's something I'm desperately trying to save towards (but life keeps lifing lol). But I really hope it can happen within a year from now. I have so many ideas for it already, I can just imagine what I'll come up with once I can actually start. Big dreams ahead.
Anything else for the Zeko community?
I'm super passionate about supporting local small business, and I have been for as long as I can remember. So when I heard about Zeko starting, I was beyond excited, and I still am. I've long thought that South African small businesses needed their own platform, something tailored to us: South African creatives and the people who love supporting them. The Zeko platform is giving us all, creators and shoppers alike, exactly that. I cannot wait to see how Zeko thrives, because I know it will. I want everyone to be as excited as I am.
Rapid fire
- Favourite childhood show? Wizards of Waverly Place as a teen. Tom and Jerry and Winnie the Pooh as a kid.
- Book rec? Where the Dark Stands Still for fantasy, Playing Flirty for romance.
- What's playing while you create? I re-watch series whilst I craft lol. All my favourites: Brooklyn Nine-Nine, F.R.I.E.N.D.S., The Good Place, Big Bang Theory, Full House. Basically just all the 22 minute sitcoms.
- Your waiter brings you the wrong order. Are you returning it? Honestly, best case scenario, my partner does it for me. If I'm alone, I will begrudgingly do it, very shyly.
- Early bird or night owl? Somewhere right in the middle. I just love sleep.
