A Hands-On Review of the 2025 African Fabric Jewellery Workshop in Cape Town

I was, you know, looking for something a bit different to do in Cape Town. I’ve walked up Table Mountain and seen the penguins at Boulders Beach, but this time I really wanted an activity that felt, sort of, more connected to the place itself. So, I stumbled upon this African Fabric Jewellery Making Workshop online, and it just seemed like the perfect thing. Honestly, the idea of creating something with my own hands, something that tells a story, was just incredibly appealing. This is basically a full rundown of my experience, so you can decide if it’s, like, the right fit for your own trip. At the end of the day, it was about more than just making a necklace; it was really a few hours spent in a completely different, creative headspace.

Stepping into a Creative Haven in the City

The workshop is apparently held in a small studio in the Salt River area, a part of the city that is just alive with art and design. When I walked in, the feeling was, like, immediately calming. The room was, you know, filled with natural light pouring through big windows, and the walls had shelves that were pretty much overflowing with supplies. The air smelled faintly of rooibos tea and, I think, the starchy scent of fresh cotton fabric, which was actually quite pleasant. Soft music played in the background, just enough to create a relaxed atmosphere without being, you know, distracting. The woman who ran the workshop, named Kholeka, greeted everyone with a huge, genuine smile that instantly made us all feel welcome. She just had this very calm energy about her. It felt less like a formal class and, as a matter of fact, more like spending an afternoon crafting with a knowledgeable friend who is, obviously, very good at what she does.

There were about eight of us in the group, which was, honestly, a perfect size. It was intimate enough that everyone could get personal attention, yet it still felt like a shared group experience. The other people were a mix of tourists, like myself, and a few locals who, you know, were looking for a creative Sunday activity. Kholeka started by offering everyone a cup of tea, and as we sat around a large wooden table, she talked a little about herself. She actually explained that her grandmother taught her to sew and bead as a little girl, and this workshop was her way of, sort of, sharing that inheritance. That personal story, you know, really set the tone for the whole afternoon. It was clear that this was not just a business for her; it was, in a way, a true passion project that she wanted to share.

A Kaleidoscopic Choice of African Fabrics

So, the first big task was choosing our fabrics, and let me tell you, that was almost the hardest part. Kholeka laid out dozens and dozens of pieces of material across the table, and the effect was just a sea of pattern and color. It was pretty much amazing. She explained the different types of cloth to us, which was just so interesting. For instance, there was the Shweshwe from South Africa, a printed dyed cotton fabric that, apparently, traditionally featured indigo and has a very unique history tied to German settlers. We could literally feel the stiffness of the new Shweshwe and smell its characteristic scent. Then there was the Ankara, often called ‘wax print’, which is so popular across West Africa. The Ankara pieces were incredibly bright, with patterns that told stories of proverbs, personalities, or historical events, which is, you know, so cool.

As Kholeka put it, “Each fabric, you know, has its own voice. You just have to listen and find the one that, like, speaks to you today.”

I must have spent a good fifteen minutes just touching the different materials and holding them up. It’s a very tactile experience. One pattern would have these bold, geometric shapes in orange and blue, while another would be a more delicate floral design in pink and green. Kholeka actually encouraged us to pick two or three fabrics that we thought could work together. To be honest, I was a little nervous about my choices clashing, but she gave some really gentle guidance. She would say things like, “Oh, that green, you know, it really picks up the small fleck of green in the other pattern.” Eventually, I chose a deep blue Shweshwe with a subtle white circular pattern and paired it with a sliver of a much brighter Ankara that had yellow and red motifs. Okay, so holding them in my hand, I could finally start to see my own piece of jewelry coming to life.

The Mindful Process: Rolling, Gluing, and Stringing

Now, we got to the actual making part, which was surprisingly meditative. Kholeka first showed us how to make the fabric beads. The technique is basically quite simple in concept but, you know, takes a bit of practice to get right. You start with a small, triangular strip of your chosen fabric. Then you, like, carefully apply some craft glue to it and roll it tightly around a thin wooden stick to create a bead shape. My first attempt was, frankly, a bit of a disaster. It was sort of lopsided and had glue seeping out the sides, and I just laughed. But Kholeka came over and, like, really gently showed me how to apply the right amount of pressure to keep it even. It’s almost a rhythmic motion once you get the hang of it: roll, press, and smooth. The room went very quiet as everyone just focused on this one repetitive task. It’s sort of a way to get out of your head, you know?

After we had all made a little pile of our own unique fabric beads, it was time to design the necklace. Kholeka brought out trays of other beads—some made of wood, others of glass, and even some from recycled paper. This was where your own creativity really came into play. I decided to arrange my fabric beads with some dark wooden beads in between, so that the patterns of the fabric would really stand out. She showed us how to lay out our design on a felt mat before stringing it, which is actually a really good tip so you can see how it will look. You can move things around until it feels just right. The final step was, of course, stringing everything onto a strong thread and attaching a clasp. That moment when you hold up the finished piece is just incredibly satisfying. You look at it and think, “Wow, I actually made this thing.”

More Than a Keepsake: The Story I Wear

As the workshop wrapped up, we all laid our creations on the table, and it was amazing to see how different each one was, even though we all started with more or less the same materials. Each necklace or pair of earrings was, in a way, a reflection of the person who made it. Some were bold and asymmetrical, while others were very neat and symmetrical. We spent some time just admiring each other’s work, and there was this really lovely sense of shared accomplishment in the room. Kholeka was, you know, visibly happy, seeing all our finished pieces together. She said that, at the end of the day, this is what it’s all about for her.

Honestly, I left the studio with more than just a new necklace. The piece of jewellery itself is something I treasure, and every time I wear it, I think about that sunny afternoon in Salt River. I think about the smell of the fabric, the feel of rolling the beads, and the quiet concentration in the room. But I also, you know, took away a little piece of a story—the story of Shweshwe, the story of Kholeka’s grandmother, and now, my own little story of creating something in Cape Town. It’s a souvenir that feels, like, deeply personal and meaningful in a way that something bought from a shop just couldn’t be. It’s arguably the best kind of keepsake you can have from a trip.

Tips and Takeaways for Your Workshop Visit

If you’re thinking about doing this workshop, which I seriously recommend, here are a few practical thoughts. It’s a very beginner-friendly activity, so you really don’t need any prior crafting experience. Kholeka is just an excellent teacher who makes everything feel very approachable. The whole session lasted about three hours, which, I mean, felt like the perfect amount of time to relax and create without feeling rushed at all. It’s a really great activity for a solo traveler, a couple, or even a group of friends. So, here are my key points, just to make it easy.

You absolutely don’t need any experience. Honestly, just come with an open mind and be ready to have a little fun.
Wear clothes you don’t mind getting a tiny bit of glue on. They do provide aprons, but, you know, it’s just better to be safe.
Take your time choosing fabrics. That is arguably one of the most fun parts of the whole process, so don’t rush it.
The workshop is suitable for older children. I would say, like, maybe kids 12 and up would really enjoy the focused work.
You actually get to take your creation home with you. You walk out wearing your own, handmade piece of Cape Town art.

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