A New Kind of Shine

Jewelry is getting a glow-up; and it’s all about purpose, not just polish. At Powered by People, we’re stepping into the world of consciously crafted jewelry by spotlighting makers who are transforming discarded materials into pieces of art. Think upcycled metals, reclaimed bone, and even repurposed feathers, materials once overlooked, now reimagined into new designs.

Meet five of our incredible makers: We Are NBO, CŌG, Maadili Collective, Kapoeta by Ambica, and Mercurial. Each brand is rewriting the rules of jewelry-making, where sustainability, story, and craftsmanship come first.

We Are NBO

Based in Nairobi, this brand fuses reclaimed brass, wood, and bone into striking pieces that reflect the ongoing dialogue between designer Michael Nguthu and local artisans. Their work captures the spirit of collaboration and celebrates traditional materials in modern form. Nguthu's designs take inspiration from nature and the textures of daily life, resulting in bold, sculptural pieces that speak of joy, resilience, ingenuity, and community.

We Are NBO is more than a jewelry brand, it’s a growing movement rooted in collaboration and social impact. By providing fair wages and creative opportunity, the brand supports a thriving community of artisans and promotes fair trade practices that challenge conventional industry norms.

CŌG

From her Brooklyn studio, designer Jen Cogliantry creates sculptural jewelry that feels like wearable storytelling. It’s a design philosophy rooted in curiosity, transformation, and tactile creation.

Each CŌG piece begins as an experiment: a twist of thread, a pinch of wax, a hand-molded shape. These studies evolve into fully realized forms through lost-wax casting, an ancient technique that preserves intricate textures and sculptural details. The result? Jewelry that feels organic yet architectural, fluid yet structured.

Sustainability is foundational to CŌG’s ethos. Jen prioritizes recycled metals including 14K gold, sterling silver, and brass sourced responsibly and crafted locally by skilled New York-based artisans. The process is intentional, slow, and centered on longevity over trend.

Maadili Collective

Rooted in ethical sourcing, Maadili Collective crafts jewelry and accessories from responsibly-sourced Ankole-Watusi cattle horn, a natural byproduct of the food industry. As a result, the pieces comprise of organic tones, from creamy whites to rich caramels, shaped into timeless pieces by the hands of skilled artisans. But Maadili is more than beautiful design, it’s a movement grounded in purpose.

At its core, Maadili fosters partnerships with small-scale artisan communities where economic opportunity is limited or non-existent. Through thoughtful collaboration and co-creation, the Collective supports artisans in enhancing their skills, expressing their creativity, and building sustainable livelihoods. Each piece is designed not only to celebrate traditional craft but to create space for growth, resilience, and connection.

Kapoeta by Ambica

Kapoeta collaborates with entrepreneurs and artisans across Kenya and Bali, including the fly-tying community, which upcycles feathers into lightweight, one-of-a-kind adornments. Their work is a celebration of heritage, craftsmanship, and environmental consciousness.

At Kapoeta, they believe that every piece of jewelry tells a unique story. Using intricate wax carvings used in casting, every detail is executed with precision and care, resulting in pieces that are as meaningful as they are beautiful.

By embracing slow, intentional production and working with artisans at every stage, Kapoeta not only supports local livelihoods but also fosters cultural exchange and promotes sustainable practices.

Mercurial

Designer Miranda Watson brings an ancient aesthetic into the present day with jewelry that feels both rooted and revelatory. Each piece from Mercurial Studio is hand-formed from recycled brass, then gold-plated and cast using the lost-wax method, a timeless technique that honors tradition while embracing a modern sensibility.

Raised between the wild beauty of Western Canada’s mountains, lakes, and cities, and later shaped by the electric pulse of New York, Miranda’s work reflects a deep appreciation for contrasts: nature and architecture, stillness and movement, the raw and the refined. Her background in Anthropology, combined with a lifelong curiosity about the natural world, infuses her designs with a reverence for ancient adornment and the quiet power of imperfection.