Hi Team,
I have been creating a number of items based on African symbols which have turned out really well. I love symbolism and its power within cultures and I have had great support on instagram for these products, particularly from people from Africa and also those of African descent. I have only ever had a single visit to Africa, but I love what I see of the richness and variety of its culture. There is a lot of struggle in present day Africa and a lot in its past, but there exists such a vibrancy and energy within its people, animals and within the land itself.
The first product is a pendant that I designed for my wife - the symbol is the seed of the Wawa tree, which represents strength and persistence.
https://www.shapeways.com/product/WALSRBHJ2/wawa-aba-african -strength-symbol?li=shop-inventory&optionId=56035281
I also have this printed in plastics, in a slightly thicker product:
https://www.shapeways.com/product/7J6XC64W8/wawa-aba-african -strength-symbol-large?li=shop-inventory&optionId=560354 23
The two versions provide different material options and price points
The second is a pair of cufflinks with a spider's web symbol (Ananse ntontan) which symbolises wisdom, creativity and complexity of life. I really love this in polished nickel as it shows a rough and raw side of the product, symbolic in itself of the African continent.
https://www.shapeways.com/product/YJEF6FWEW/african-spiders- web-cufflinks?li=shop-inventory&optionId=55971189
I have this symbol on order as a pendant as well, hopefully delivered around the end of the month.
I would love to make more products using a variety of African symbols.