Hana Elawadi didn't plan on being a jewelry designer; she studied International Business. This whole enterprise was somewhat of an accident, albeit a very happy one. Elawadi used to take apart cheap jewelry so that she could tie and glue it back together in a way she found more pleasing to wear herself. She never thought she would be doing it fulltime for other people, or with personally selected materials from all over the world. Now, as the business picks up momentum, it is still possible that Elawadi's degree choice could be deemed useful. Thanks to Facebook's popularity, this young entrepreneur is finding herself in command of something far more impressive than just a glue gun and some thread. She has customers all over the world, is coming out with a pharaonic-inspired line, and even has a "Hana for Kids collection. Elawadi's pieces are simple enough in design. They adhere to up-to-date fashion, yet are not too trendy. Each is organic in its shape with embellishments that are never gaudy or overpowering. Some of her designs may even remind you of something you've seen before, but chose not to buy for fear it would turn your ears or wrist green. "It's hard to find this kind of jewelry in real gold, the designer told Daily News Egypt. I take that back. Elawadi is working within her discipline. With only quality materials being used, she has done something straight out of Business 101; she has found a market void and filled it. Young, fashionable ladies and girls who are able to spend a little more for something real. It is a step up from your average mall accessory boutique, un-plated. Her work uses popular icons like a peace sign or the hand of Fatma which is very 'in' these days with the local trendy youth. Using bands of high quality leather, suede and satin, Hana Elawadi Jewelry makes necklaces that become bracelets or vice versa. Many pieces, ornamented with dainty charms and stones, are each made personally by Elawadi. Others, those with intricate 18K gold pieces, are sketched by the young designer and produced by others working under her supervision. "I'd love to learn a lot more, she tells us, "but I'm very happy with what I have so far. And what she has now is deemed popular. Elawadi has over 1,000 members in her online jewelry group; she has set up shop in festivals like the British Christmas Bazaar among others; and she is currently scheduling private appointments. www.hanaelawadi.com
