WINGKABA business
Wingkaba was established in 2019 when its first pieces were created.
The main material is 925 silver, copper and brass.
Wingkaba incorporates untreated coloured gemstones into many pieces.
Most pieces are created once only but there are limited copies from the logo line and popular demands.
The main material is 925 silver, copper and brass.
Wingkaba incorporates untreated coloured gemstones into many pieces.
Most pieces are created once only but there are limited copies from the logo line and popular demands.
WINGKABA background
Wingkaba ဝင်္ကပါ means maze or labyrinth in Burmese.
The labyrinth can be interpreted to symbolise so many things, but to name my top 3:
*Universality
*Complexity
*Timelessness
Wingkbaba designs are a little tricky to orient, tricky to date, and a lot goes into them, even if some of the designs seem simple. I feel that they echo certain principles of the wingkaba well. I draw inspiration from nature, history, philosophy and geometry
The labyrinth can be interpreted to symbolise so many things, but to name my top 3:
*Universality
*Complexity
*Timelessness
Wingkbaba designs are a little tricky to orient, tricky to date, and a lot goes into them, even if some of the designs seem simple. I feel that they echo certain principles of the wingkaba well. I draw inspiration from nature, history, philosophy and geometry
Sample of some sold and in stock designs
2023
Before leaving Chiang Mai, I had finally developed a relationship with my local silversmith, Khun Sakhon. I gave him an order to complete for me but it was a little rushed so the rings are not as perfect as I'd like them to be. His previous work for Wingkaba was impeccable, it sold out before I could post about it. Not long before that, I attended jewellery-making workshops at Nova Jewellery School, where my really lovely teacher Khun Nugoon guided me in the art of fashioning silver. It was no small feat: a lot goes into making every piece. While choosing the stone I would use to make my own sample jewellery, I stumbled upon these gorgeous, saturated agate discs. I proceeded to buy them with the intention to create more rings like the one I made for myself, to sell. The grey-black agate is hematite and the red agate is carnelian.
The rings are currently in stock and go for ZAR 700 a piece. My styling suggestion is to wear them on the pinky or ring finger or both at the same time.
The rings are currently in stock and go for ZAR 700 a piece. My styling suggestion is to wear them on the pinky or ring finger or both at the same time.
WINGKABA operations
I am in search of a silversmith in JNB/ Gauteng who can execute my designs. I will keep posting my progress here.
Previously...
"Now that I have relocated to Thailand, I have had to find a different way to do things.
There is a kind silversmith I have found, but we have a language barrier. I will resume with jewellery production in 2022.
Before I had to leave Myanmar before the coup, my process was such:"
"I design the jewellery and then discuss at length with my silversmith Ko Win Naing about the engineering. He buys the material (silver, brass and copper), alloys the metal and makes the pieces entirely by hand at his home in North Dagon, Yangon. Each batch of +-8 pieces takes about a month to complete. He is very experienced and talented and makes for a essential collaborator. I get my gems from my dear friend Nang Htwe. I travel to Mandalay to get them from her gem shop and huge repository. She comes from a family of gem stone traders in Mogok, the gem basin of the world"
+95 99742497111 is still my Whatsapp and Signal no. My local phone number is +27 823409027.
or email me on wingkaba@gmail.com for questions, comments, orders and any thing else.
Warmly,
Kwena
Previously...
"Now that I have relocated to Thailand, I have had to find a different way to do things.
There is a kind silversmith I have found, but we have a language barrier. I will resume with jewellery production in 2022.
Before I had to leave Myanmar before the coup, my process was such:"
"I design the jewellery and then discuss at length with my silversmith Ko Win Naing about the engineering. He buys the material (silver, brass and copper), alloys the metal and makes the pieces entirely by hand at his home in North Dagon, Yangon. Each batch of +-8 pieces takes about a month to complete. He is very experienced and talented and makes for a essential collaborator. I get my gems from my dear friend Nang Htwe. I travel to Mandalay to get them from her gem shop and huge repository. She comes from a family of gem stone traders in Mogok, the gem basin of the world"
+95 99742497111 is still my Whatsapp and Signal no. My local phone number is +27 823409027.
or email me on wingkaba@gmail.com for questions, comments, orders and any thing else.
Warmly,
Kwena
2019-2021 pics of me wearing my own designs
2023 Video of me in the workshop filing and refining one of many parts to a ring I made that took me an entire day to make.