Today we’d like to introduce you to Sheinata Carn-Hall.
Sheinata Carn-Hall graduated from The University of South Carolina-Columbia in 1999. After graduation, she returned home to Charleston, SC. In 2000 she started Reflections African Jewelry LLC. Sheinata operated this business by designing and selling African jewelry at The Charleston City Market. She operated her business for 16 years at this location.
After taking a year off from her business to care for her two sons and spend time with her husband and mother Sheinata returned to operating her business at local pop up markets and farmer’s markets in and around the Charleston, SC area. Within the last two years, she also created and co-organized a Children’s Cultural Camp at the Summerville-Dorchester Museum that focused on the African and Native American contributions in the Charleston Lowcountry. Sheinata was scheduled to start teaching African jewelry classes May-October 2020 at The Gibbes Museum of Art due to COVID-19 the classes have been postponed.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I have had many positive experiences while operating my jewelry making business. The challenging times I used to allow myself to grow and learn. One of my first struggles over the 20 years of operating my business was how my own people would come through The Charleston City Market and would not support an African American woman owned business. I started my business in 1999 and the pride in our culture has grown tremendously since then but out of 100% of my customers only 5-10% were African American. Charleston, SC is where the slaves came into the US off the boats. Thousands of people visit Charleston every year. It’s the #1 city for tourism in the whole country for many years. Many of my people come to visit but they did not respect my prices and had very little respect for their own African art and culture. This was very painful for me to face but I learned to deal with it. It made me feel like I was not fully accepted by my people but I had to learned how to heal and grow from those experiences. I say to myself as long as I am here selling my products, I am representing my culture and I am grateful to have the opportunity to show our rich heritage with tourists that come to visit Charleston.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Reflections African Jewelry – what should we know?
Reflections African Jewelry LLC is owned and operated by Sheinata Carn-Hall. This business has been open for over 20 years in Charleston, SC. Sheinata Carn-Hall is an African Jewelry Designer and she specializes in African Art Jewelry. Most of the designs are one of a kind and well made. Sheinata’s jewelry is handmade with a variety of natural and recycled materials and beads from all over Africa. She focuses on capturing the traditional authentic African style with her work.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
My supporters are the many customers who I have had the pleasure of meeting over the years while selling my African jewelry at The Charleston City Market and Pop Up Markets throughout the Charleston, SC area. People inspire me!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.reflectionsafricanjewelryllc.com
- Phone: 8434526793
- Email: sheinata@reflectionsafricanjewelryllc.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reflectionsafricanjewelryllc/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/reflectionsafricanjewelryllc/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/sheinata/status/657651362323271682
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