Ari’s Hand-Made Jewelry is a Mother N Daughter team creating handmade jewelry and accessories that will inspire and elevate your since of style. Starting with fabric textile jewelry made from authentic African Wax fabric in 2021. Weexpanded our collection to include necklaces, bracelets, and earrings made of gemstones, healing stones, freshwater pearls, and crystals. Our dedication to learning more about African beads and fabric has allowed us to elevate your African Inspired pieces, incorporating authentic woven Kente cloth, genuine leather, natural shells, bone beads, trade beads from Ghana, Krobo beads, and recycled glass beads also from Ghana.
We love attending festivals, shows, and special events like the Annual Juneteenth Celebration at the Savannah African Arts Museum, Savannah, GA. Every item we create is made with love and we enjoy working together. Our story is a testament to the power of creativity, passion, and teamwork!
Ariana A. Johnson
(Ari) is on the autism spectrum and loves to bead and design jewelry. Since we began designing jewelry, her relationship with her family has improved tremendously. Ari’s hand-eye coordination as well as her imagination and concentration has also improved. She has had struggles in her young life but doesn't skip a beat when it comes to her manners, her generosity and her natural ability to show love to anyone she meets. Now she feels a sense of worth, and this inspires her creativity.
In case you are wondering why I chose Mazyck-Sew-Right as the name; well, I have my mother and my sister to thank. Their creativity was definingly transferred to me. My mother could make anything out of anything and make it work. Wait until you see some of the things I have done with old jeans and men’s shirts and ties. Now when it was time to make our Easter Sunday outfit, that task was given to my sister Virginia. The quality and no-nonsense sewing did it for me. I was in love. I did not talk much, really, I did not. I admired and observed the way she did things. As I pondered on a name for my business, I was taken back to my childhood and what I remembered about the items that were made for me and how well they were made. So Mazyck-Sew-Right it is.
I was born in the south, South Carolina. My family were farmers. We grew our own vegetables and raised animals. My mom and dad would go to the feed mill to buy feed. The feed came in these beautiful floral 100% cotton print bags. We also own a general store. Most people called it “James Mazyck Store.” That was my dad. My mother, Ms. Lutherine had an old black singer sewing machine in the store by the side door. She would make my sisters and I the nicest rompers you had ever seen out of those bags. So cute.
I took a sewing class in junior high school, IS 271 in Brooklyn, NY. I swear to you that was the only formal training I ever had. We made a skirt. I started sewing my school clothes. I made pleated shorts, suits, and dresses. I made pants with double welted pockets on the leg. I did Accordion Pockets that you would see on safari jackets. I made myself a coat made of heavy corduroy fabric and genuine suede stand up collar and suede oval at the elbow. I made myself a long maxi vest with matching pants.
After junior high school I attended Fashion Industries on 23rd and 8th in Manhattan. Your first year is exploratory. You get to learn a little of everything about fashion from design construction, textile design to merchandising. I loved this school because you find your niche and see what you are good at. I studied textile design. I knew how to sew already, so I thought. I enjoyed it. After leaving the school I headed to Miami. I began working at an Auto Parts supply company. Can you believe it? Hey, I had to pay bills. Then someone found out that I sewed. One of our co-workers was getting married and needed an after-dress. She brought me a picture and that was it. Everyone was so amazed. I made many brides happy in Miami. My clients were always satisfied with their finished garments.
After the death of my dear husband, it was time to leave my love, my Miami. I had a project, a wedding, that was being delayed so I packed up everything and headed north to Jacksonville, FL and then settling in Savannah, GA. I finished the dresses and came down two days before the wedding date. Only one of the bridesmaids' dresses fitted perfectly. This dress belonged to the sister of the bride. She lived in the Bahamas and did not’ have not one fitting. True story. I met the ladies at their hotel and made the necessary adjustments. All went well.
I have always done things; I feel the way it should be done. This is how I sew. I say you should never settle for nothing less than perfection. My sewing business, Mazyck-Sew-Right solidifies this excellence.