Before xokoro became my creative brand and studio, it was a word borrowed and gently reshaped, inspired by the Japanese concept 'kokoro' (心), meaning heart, mind, and soul as one. I shifted the first letter, just enough to claim it as my own. That single change holds my entire philosophy: honour the past, then make it yours. That is how I approach every piece I create, and for me, xokoro is where my creative curiosity comes to life.
My first creative spark came from making greeting cards. I’d craft unique birthday cards for family and friends, and occasionally a Valentine’s card for a crush. For a kid who didn't have the funds to buy materials, I made do with what was around, using whatever I could scavenge, like old buttons, cut-off fabrics, used gift wrappers, magazine clippings, even pieces of food packaging. Taking photographs wasn't a thing back then, so none of it survived except in my memory. The instinct to make something from nothing never left, it just changed materials.
I approach the creative process in a state of play because I rarely know what I’ll make next, what materials I’ll use, or how I’ll use them. Usually, I start with a simple idea inspired by a dancer’s silhouette, a couple’s colours on the street, a pattern on a wall, an old craft from a certain culture, or simply by manipulating basic materials like clay, beads, ropes, or wires. The sources are endless, and I create, undo, and remake until something finally feels right. If you asked me why I mix different processes, techniques, and materials, I probably couldn’t give you a clear answer other than that it looked and felt right. Every piece I make is an adventure, and I want to share it with you.
Today, a piece of jewellery finished on my worktable is only half the story. Each finished design is intended for someone to wear and, over time, make their own. Claim a piece for yourself, gift the unexpected, and let the second half begin.