Nairobi, Kenya
MEET SYLVESTER
Anchored in Tradition
Blacksmithing is more than Sylvester's livelihood, it’s his defining passion.
Sylvester grew up hearing stories about the work his father had done as a blacksmith to support their family. He remembers being fascinated by the idea of working with metal, and at a young age decided to learn the trade as a way to carry his father’s legacy forward.
creating change
“If I can teach other kids they will be empowered to use jewelry to create a life for themselves”.
Working from a small shop in the heart of Nairobi, he speaks of his goal to one day open a center where he can teach underprivileged young people the art of blacksmithing. A true artisan, Sylvester inspires us not only with his beautiful handmade work, but with his dream of being able to use his craft to change the lives of those around him.
A humble desire
“I come from a very humble background. I want people to know that in Kenya there is a guy that can make something wonderful.”
Sylvester's collection of 18K gold and sterling silver plated jewelry has a base metal of 100% upcycled brass—discarded taps, padlocks, and old coins that would have otherwise ended up in the junkyard. Found objects, forever transformed into lasting memories.
AS SEEN IN
global community
MEET our other artisan partners from around the world
We celebrate slow design and artisan craft from thousands of artisans around the world. At Obakki, our artisan partners are part of our extensive global family. We’re in touch on a regular basis and their quality of life—and ability to sustain themselves and their communities—will always be our top priority as a company. Their happiness, health, and financial independence all matter to us.