Shameem Hamza, a jewelry designer from Karachi, with a home office of her own, started out with only a little box of pendants. The beauty and originality of her designs were evident and soon she was designing jewelry, which was not only unique but also contemporary, keeping in mind the choice and satisfaction of her clients.

"I didn't choose the field. It just happened. Once I made pendants for everyone in my family. They were admired and people started asking me if I would design something for them. Soon by word-of-mouth, the news spread. Sometimes women brought me their old jewelry and asked me to rework it." Shameem recalled. Her jewelry reflects the materials she uses.

"I am a perfectionist and I think perfection is important. I don't mind redoing the work if my clients don't like it."

Her designs are meant to be worn for everyday as well as on special occasions. The main materials used are gold and silver combined with precious stones. "The designs just come to me and I draw them on a paper; then my workmen sketch them out and usually my ideas click with the clients. I like to work with different stones since they are in different shapes and sizes. I get my gemstones from all over the world."

The simplicity of her designs conceals their complexity. The fusion of color, gold and gemstones not only adds beauty but also elegance to her designs. She not only creates jewelry but also works with gold and silver to create unusual personal and household objects that are sure to attract attention. Her pomegranate designs are only one of these. "I took a pomegranate to my workman and told him that I wanted him to make one. Then I made a whole range of paper weights, pen holders, paper cutters, letter openers with the pomegranate theme in silver and rubies."

When asked about her future plans, she said, "I want to achieve more and I thank God that my work has been appreciated. I remember a time when I went to my clients and workmen with the designs; now they come to me. I work for my satisfaction and am very happy with what I have done. I thank both my family and friends as they have always been a big support."

For further information or an appointment Shameem Hamza can be contacted on [email protected].