Right Now with Omphile Pea
Captivated and curious, Omphile Pea stumbled upon jewellery design as a career during a university walkabout with a friend. “I was like, what do you mean I can make a ring from scratch?”
Since then she’s made moves in the industry, carved out her own space and built a brand, Studio Pea, that serves as a blueprint for others to follow.
Jozi’s city slickers and connoisseurs of cool trust only her for one-of-a-kind, can’t-get-can’t-tholakala, custom pieces that are nothing like your dad’s dentures or Mamzo’s veneers, but rather a bright and dazzling expression of one's style, personality and originality. We caught up to find out more about this Lord of the Rings, what she’s been up to and what to expect from Studio Pea.
AB: What inspires you and influences your personal style?
OP: A lot of things inspire me, like being in love for instance. I love things that really get me close enough to feel something. I love seeing people living their truth and doing what they love. This encourages me to do what I love and do it in a way that feels good and true to me. I genuinely did what felt natural to me, until it became my ‘personal style’.
AB: What’s your favourite part of your whole creative process?
OP: I love that I don’t have to be a traditional jeweller. I love how technology has shifted how I create works now. You don’t understand how cool it is to wake up and open my laptop to model a piece on software then send the file directly to my 3D printer to make it come alive and send the piece out for casting in whatever metal is required. Absolute bliss!
AB: How has the transition been from simply designing and creating to running Studio Pea, a thriving business?
OP: The transition was not easy but it was necessary. I’m still going through it but I believe it’s worth it so I should continue being uncomfortable. A common challenge is not having the money to create the things you want to create. Being independent is tough. Too many ideas stuck on mood boards and too little money to execute the ideas.
AB: What does an average day at Studio Pea look like?
OP: A typical day at Studio Pea looks like waking up at odd hours in the AMs to complete client projects, mostly custom orders. The switch-up would later be meeting up with clients for appointments for grillz or just doing meetings with possible collaborators or sponsors.
AB: You recently earned the opportunity to speak to future jewellery designers, as an alumni of TUT’s Faculty of Arts and Design. What was that moment like for you?
OP: It truly felt like a full-circle moment. It’s so humbling to know that by just being and focusing on the things I love, creating in a way that I truly enjoy, I could influence a whole generation of upcoming jewellery designers. I just know that I needed someone like me when I was still a student myself and to be exactly who I needed then to some kids now feels so amazing.
AB: Now that you’ve made a mark for yourself, what advice would you share with aspiring jewellers who want to ‘shine bright like a diamond’?
OP: Think independently. Be a maverick. Don’t care to think like anybody else in the industry. Be you and I guarantee you that will serve you in the long run. This will help you establish an identity for yourself and the work you will create.
AB: What’s the next level for Omphile and Studio Pea? What can we expect to see five years from now?
OP: I really want a full on studio that I can curate in my own way but I want that sooner than in five years. I’m keen on sharing knowledge now more than ever so I’d like to start taking in interns but I can only do this once I have that studio. I want to start doing paid workshops and masterclasses. I think the next part of my career is centred around education, knowledge sharing and transferring of skills.
I’m currently toying with the idea of introducing a jewellery line for an existing brand or concept store. Something entirely unattached to Studio Pea, another way for my ideas to exist outside of what I’ve already created for myself.
Words by Afrika Bogatsu for Letterhead