Meet the Founder – Bronwen Beckett
As kids, my sister and I were always sewing, creating and finding ways to sell our latest handmade projects.
In 2024, with my teenage daughters increasingly independent, I started Makoya Jewellery. One of my hopes is to inspire the next generation. They aren’t shy to give creative advice and help out with Instagram marketing.
Path to the Bench
Before diving headfirst into the world of jewellery, I spent years bringing people together in other ways. Initially hospitality and then recruitment before launching my own gifting business, where I custom- designed and hand-packaged premium gifts for marketing events and conferences. While I loved the art of presentation, my hands were itching to be even more creative.
Entrepreneurship in the Blood
Creativity and business have always been a package deal in my family. I grew up watching my mom run her own businesses, which include Dolls Desire – hand-sewn, beautiful dolls’ clothing. The entrepreneurial bug caught me early. proudly wear their favourite Makoya pieces around town.
A Few of My Favourite Things
I’m a Cape Town local through and through, with creative influences from travels in Europe, South America and Asia. When I’m not covered in metal dust at my workbench, you can usually find me:
● Curling up with an addictive book
● Finding creative inspiration on mountain runs
● Relaxing with my absolute treasures - my family, friends and our three very spoiled dogs
● Bringing creativity, gift giving, love and laughter to every birthday, Christmas and any excuse for a celebration
The Best (and Worst) Parts of the Job
Having my own jewellery business means I get to do what makes me tick every single day, constantly rolling out fresh ideas and the creative process is pure joy.
My least favourite part? Polishing. Then more polishing. And just when you think you're done... even more polishing.
But the moment I see a happy customer wearing one of my pieces and making it their own, every single minute at the polishing machine is completely worth it.
I look forward to many more years of Makoya Jewellery, adding creativity and style to your every day.
Keeping It Real
In Zulu, Makoya means "the real thing" or "authentic". This is the essence of everything I do. From my Cape Town studio, I create jewellery with soul, designed for people who appreciate the beauty of the genuine article.
How We Roll
● Small Batches Only: Never more than a handful of similar pieces, each with unique charm. Mass production isn’t in my vocabulary
● The Good Stuff: I only use long-lasting, real metals - sterling silver and brass
● Nature’s Best: Thoughtfully adorned with hand-selected semi-precious stones
● Fresh Drops: I’m constantly creating new designs - there's always a fresh treasure to discover
The Best Part of My Day
While I absolutely love the messy, creative process of hand-making jewellery, nothing beats reaching the finish line. My greatest joy is seeing Makoya designs out in the wild. I love watching you wear them, style them, and make them completely your own.