In Conversation with Zindagi Now graduate
This Afghan artisan is a talented jewellery artist and graduate of Zindagi Now. She creates unique pieces inspired by Afghan culture, tradition, and the stunning lapis lazuli from Badakhshan. When designing collections for international collaborators, she combines creativity with purpose, sharing the beauty and stories of Afghanistan with the world.
What is your favourite piece of jewellery that you’ve made?
It is very difficult to choose because every piece I make carries a part of my journey and my culture. But, if I had to pick one, I would say the collection of six pendants I created for Pippa Small Jewellery in London. Each pendant tells a story from Afghanistan—our traditions, our landscapes, and the strength of our people. For me, this collection is very close to my heart because it is not just jewellery, it is a way of sharing the beauty of my culture with the world.
Where do you find inspiration for your pieces?
My inspiration comes from the rich culture and daily life of Afghanistan. I look at the patterns in our traditional carpets, the shapes of our mountains, the beauty of our culture and the stories my mother and grandmother used to tell me. When I designed the six pendants for Pippa Small Jewellery, each one was inspired by a part of our heritage that I wanted the world to see—the strength of Afghan women, the beauty of lapis from Badakhshan, and the traditions that connect us to our past. For me, jewellery is not only decoration, it is a way to keep our stories alive.
My inspiration comes from the rich culture and daily life of Afghanistan. I look at the patterns in our traditional carpets, the shapes of our mountains, the beauty of our culture and the stories my mother and grandmother used to tell me.
How did you first learn about Zindagi Now?
I first heard about Zindagi Now through friends who told me about the training programs they offered for young women. At that time, I had a dream of working with art and design but no clear path to follow. When I joined Zindagi Now, I discovered not only the skills of jewellery making, but also the confidence to share my ideas and my culture with the world. It opened a door for me to turn my passion into something real and meaningful.
Did you make friendships that have continued after graduating?
Yes, I have continued friendships with all the wonderful ladies I met at Zindagi Now. Our friendship has become like a second family to me. We continue to support each other, share ideas, and celebrate each other’s achievements. These friendships gave me the courage to believe in myself and changed the way I see my future. Together, we dream bigger than we ever thought possible.
When I joined Zindagi Now, I discovered not only the skills of jewellery making, but also the confidence to share my ideas and my culture with the world.
Other than jewellery making skills, what have you taken away from your time as a student at Zindagi Now?
Besides learning jewellery-making skills, my time at Zindagi Now taught me so much about life. I have learned the importance of love, respect, and understanding each other. Being with a diverse range of people, sharing experiences, and supporting one another has helped me grow as a person and shaped the way I approach my work and relationships every day.
How has jewellery making affected your life outside the workshops?
Jewellery making has absolutely changed my life in many ways. It gave me confidence, independence, and a way to express my culture and creativity. The collection I made for Pippa Small Jewellery allowed me to share Afghan stories with the world, and it inspired my friends and family to see that I can turn my passion into a meaningful career. It has helped me build friendships, strengthen my sense of purpose, and dream bigger about my future.
Besides learning jewellery-making skills, my time at Zindagi Now taught me so much about life. I have learned the importance of love, respect, and understanding each other.
What is your favourite stone?
My favourite stone is lapis lazuli from Badakhshan. Badakhshan is famous for its beautiful and high-quality lapis mines, which have been producing this precious stone for centuries. I remember my grandmother always showing me her beautiful lapis collection, made by local jewellers in Badakhshan. Seeing the deep blue of those stones inspired me from a young age and continues to influence my designs today.
Have you been asked to make jewellery for your friends and family?
Yes, I have made several pieces for my friends and family. One of my favourite creations is a beautiful necklace for my mother, made from lapis and silver-plated gold vermeil. She loves it so much that she wears it every day. Making jewellery for the people I love gives me great joy, and seeing them happy with my work makes all my efforts worthwhile.
I remember my grandmother always showing me her beautiful lapis collection, made by local jewellers in Badakhshan. Seeing the deep blue of those stones inspired me from a young age and continues to influence my designs today.
What have been some of the technical challenges you have faced, and how have you overcome them?
One of the challenges I faced was creating a collection of angel pendants for a London designer. The design was technically difficult to achieve, and at first, I wasn’t sure how to make it work. I had to communicate closely with the designer and collaborate with our team in Kabul to find solutions. Through patience, teamwork, and problem-solving, we were able to successfully produce a beautiful and unique collection. This experience taught me the importance of collaboration and persistence in overcoming technical challenges.
