Mokajade Designs

I was born and raised in the beautiful, scenic city of Cape Town, South Africa. I moved to Canada with my family when I was 17 years old in the hopes that I will have a chance at a brighter future. Many doors opened suddenly that had been shut for me in the past.

I have always known from a very young age that I will follow the creative path in whatever career I choose. With that in mind, I set out to pursue a career in Fine Art and Design. I soon realized that my art not only had to be beautiful, but also, functional.

Over twenty years ago, I stumbled upon the fascinating medium of woodworking during my exploration of different mediums at Kwantlen University College in Surrey, BC, which included painting, ceramics, printmaking and sculpture. I was soon hooked on this new and wonderful medium. I love the natural characteristics of wood and the total sensory experience you gain while working with this medium. The way a piece of pine smells, the feel of a freshly sanded piece of walnut and the sight of a beautifully finished piece made out of mahogany. Woodworking can be both challenging and extremely rewarding. A few years later, I discovered the scroll saw and fell in love with its organic and artistic abilities. It’s almost as if you’re using the saw blade like a pencil on paper. I have now found the perfect fusion, between my passion of woodworking, and my love of art and design.

Over the years I have taught myself as much as I could about this amazing medium, but soon realized that I needed to gain a better understanding of the technical aspects of woodworking. I have enrolled in and now am a graduate of the renowned Fine Furniture Program at Camosun College located in Victoria, BC, where I also received a nomination for the Lt. Governors Silver Medal award for academic excellence.

I am now a published author of a DIY book on using the scroll saw to enhance your woodworking projects called Simply Wood. I am a regular artisan vendor at the Public Market on Granville Island. I have also participated at various craft/tradeshows which included the Circle Craft, One-of-a-kind District at the Interior Design Show West, Make It Vancouver, Bizarre Bazaar Whistler, GotCraft and Filberg Festival in Comox, BC.