Xokoro‘s mission is to create limited-edition, wearable art that sparks immediate joy. Founder Jennicka Buckingham shares her thoughts on the joys of making, taking inspiration from nature, and their plans for the future.
What attracted you to your craft?
Back in the Philippines, during a brief stint studying Fine Arts, the sculpture classes captivated my interest the most. Working with my hands felt like meditation. Today, as a brand and product designer, I spend most of my time in front of a screen. But when lockdown hit and everything became digital, I realised I’d been missing half of what makes design beautiful, the physical act of creating something tangible. That’s what called me back to craft.
Your earrings are intricately hand made. What element of the making process do you enjoy the most?
It’s absolutely the making itself! That roller coaster feeling when you spot a shape, colour, material or anything random that sparks inspiration, then test whether your idea works. Yes, there’s frustration when the design doesn’t turn out as imagined, but when you create something that genuinely works, that feeling of satisfaction is what makes it all worthwhile.
What is the USP (unique selling point) for your products?
Every piece is meticulously handcrafted in strictly limited quantities, ensuring you own something truly one-of-a-kind. I pour conscious effort and love into every creation, knowing that only a handful of people will share your unique shape and colour combination. I merge modern laser cutting with traditional craftsmanship, like detailed knotting and beading. And the results? Despite their bold presence, they’re incredibly lightweight and comfortable, letting you wear a unique style effortlessly all day.
Fuchsia Acrylic and Glass Bead Flower Earrings
Handcrafted in the UK from glass beads and acrylic discs. Available in Green and Purple and Orange and Red.
Do you have a continuous source you turn to for design inspiration?
Nature provides my creative foundation. Late 2024, my partner developed a passion for gardening outdoors and planting indoors from his own screen-heavy job too. This led us to regularly visit nurseries, botanical gardens, and flower exhibitions. Seeing blooms change through the seasons sparked my first collection, but nature’s extraordinary range of shapes, colours, and textures offers infinite possibilities for future creative exploration.
How would you summarise your collection?
An exploration of nature and identity through my rekindled love of handmaking. These bold, statement pieces are crafted to spark immediate joy when worn. The collection celebrates the beautiful process of crafting limited quantities, with each piece thoughtfully created through the therapeutic process of knotting ropes and beads into wearable art.
How would you like to develop your collection and business?
My first collection is still evolving as I explore the full potential of my materials, keeping laser cutting, knotting, and beading as my foundation. I’m simultaneously testing a new collection where beads of different shapes and colours take centre stage, creating simple, organic forms. My current obsession is earrings because there’s something magical about seeing my work alongside someone’s face brings me joy, but I’m excited to branch into fashion accessories and experiment with different materials.
Xokoro is part of not just a shop‘s selected new designers and makers for 2025.
Each year, not just a shop holds an Open Call for new products from UAL students and alumni. All products and makers are selected by a panel from various disciplines and backgrounds.
This year, 13 new makers were chosen as our new cohort, making it one of our most successful years yet. Our range of practical yet stylish homeware, jewellery and accessories are sure to excite and enhance your everyday style and experience.
Learn more about this years selection of new makers and products.