For Michael, Lucille Nyikuri created cufflinks that honor his love of heritage and music with simple, personal elegance. What's your wish? →
View material & custom-made details
These Custom Cufflinks: Africa Map & Double Bass were made by Lucille Nyikuri as two delicate custom pairs with meaningful silhouette-led designs. The finished set shows how small-scale metal accessories can be developed from a simple idea into wearable cufflinks with clear shapes, a silver-tone finish and a personal theme.
- Request: The project combined two different cufflink ideas in one commission: one pair shaped like the outline of Africa and one pair shaped like a double bass.
- Final result: The completed item included two pairs of cufflinks cast in brass and then silver coated, giving the customer a silver-coloured finish without changing the underlying metalworking process.
- Design details: The brief called for recognizable but delicate forms rather than chunky pieces, so the focus was on keeping both the Africa map and the double bass readable at cufflink scale.
- Process: Public progress updates showed the project moving from plastic moulds to brass casting and then to the final silver coating, with photos and a making video shared along the way before shipping.
- Helpful for: This is a useful example for anyone considering custom cufflinks with symbolic shapes, musical themes, map outlines or matching accessories made for gifting, events or personal wear.
Every unique piece tells a story. What’s yours?
This design was custom-made exclusively for Michael. Let it inspire you: customize this design to fit your vision or start with a completely new idea. You chat directly with our artisans, and we handle the secure process.
A request by Michael from Hannover, Germany
I read that someone has made cufflinks with the outline of Africa. I think this is a great idea and I would like the same. Furthermore I would like a pair of cufflinks with the outline of a double bass instrument.
The Journey of Creating Custom Cufflinks: Africa Map & Double Bass
Negotiation & Planning
Custom Cufflinks: Africa Map & Double Bass - design ideas and artisan proposals
Hi Micheal
Thanks for expressing interest in our work.we would be honored to make for you cuff links.We shall initiate the process by creating a prototype for the double bass instrument shape and sharing photos of our previous work.As the process ensues we shall update you with images and photos.Please feel free to give feedback on the shape once we post the images.We shall work together to ensure you get a product that meets your expectations.The prototype which is best known as the mold will be made from plastic.The shape of the mold will be used to create the final product which will be cast in Brass metal.If you have any queries please feel free to ask.Thanks
Lucille
Hello Lucille,
thank you very much for your response and apologies for the delay - I was travelling in Africa.
I have seen the pictures you provided and like the form. But I would prefer the cufflinks in silver instead of gold. (This does not mean that it has to be real silver/real gold ... of course the "gold" is brass - just referring to the colour). Would that be possible?
When it comes to the cost: are these for one pair of cufflinks or for both pairs?
BR
Michael
Hi Michael
I hope you enjoyed your excursion in Africa.I have quoted for both cufflinks.It is possible to do them in silver color.
Thanks
Dear Lucille,
thank you for your prompt reply. Yes, indeed I did enjoy my trip although it was for business purpose only. Also it has been South-Africa this time which is not really Africa, to be honest. And personally I enjoy East-Africa much more 🙂
With respect to your response: understanding that the price you have offered is for both pairs together and understanding that they will be in "silver", please proceed
br
Michael
hi Michael
I hope your great.I have attached a ring we made in the shape of the double bass instrument.Please approve the shape so we can use this as a prototype for making the cuff links.
Thanks
Lucille
Hello Lucille,
Frankly, I cannot really recognize the form (I assume it is the image on the far right). Would the cufflinks be massive or rather delicate, as the picture on the right?
Regards
Michael
Hi Michael
The cuff links will be delicate nothing massive.Unfortunately we cant do them in silver we are forced to use aluminum and we cant realise the product with this metal.The only metal we can work with for now is Brass.If your fine with that then we can proceed.
Thanks
Crafting Process
How to make a Custom Cufflinks: Africa Map & Double Bass – work in progress
Hi Michael
Please give me feedback on the metal.
That's ok 🙂 Silver won't work, right?
Hi Micheal
We can do them in Brass and coat them with Silver.If that is okay with you.
What would be the extra costs?
Hi Micheal there will be no extra cost for that.
Then please coat it with silver.
ok we shall begin the work
Hi Micheal
How are you?The work is progressing well.I will send you images of the mold for your approval.
Thanks
Hi Lucille
I'm fine and I hope you are too.
Unfortunately I don't see any new pictures...
Regards Michael.
Hi Michael
I hope your well.We have completed the map of Africa cufflink the second is abit of a challenge.
I will furnish you with an image of the mold as soon as we complete.
Thanks
Hi Michael
I hope your well.We are concluding on the mold for your approval.I will send you images of the same on Monday.Sorry it has taken time it has been a bit of a challenge.
Hi Michael
We have done the mould in plastic.Please have a look and give me feedback.
Thanks
Hi Michael
I hope your well? Please give me feedback on the mould so we can proceed.Have we captured the shape correctly?
Thanks
Yes - please proceed
Thanks,we shall proceed to cast it in Brass.I will share the image with you before we do the silver coat.
Hi Michael
I hope your well.Sorry for the silence.I have been unwell, sorry to bog you down with that but I would rather be honest.We have a public holiday tomorrow the work continues on Tuesday.I will have some crisp and clear images for you this week.
Thank you for your patience.
Hello Lucille,
I am sorry to hear of your illness. I hope that it was nothing serious and that you're better now. In any case, I am very happy that production has recommenced.
Greetings to Kenya
Michael
Hi Michael
I am back on my feet thanks.I have attached a video of the process it takes to make the sample of your cuff link.I have also attached the final image of the top part of the cuff links.
I hope we have captured the correct shape and appearance as per your description.
Thanks
Everything is fine
Great we shall proceed.
Hello Lucille, When can you send? I would be delighted to be able to wear the cufflinks in the near future 🙂
Hi Micheal
I have attached the Brass version of the cuff links.I will then proceed to take them for dipping so that they are silver coated.
Very good. Thank you Lucille 🙂
Hi Micheal
The final product is here.I have uploaded the images of both cuff links.Give me your feedback then we can ship them.
Thanks
They look great - I look forward to wearing them 🙂
Hi Michael
Please confirm if your satisfied with the map of Africa cufflinks?
The Finished Unique Piece – Individually Handmade
Reference: ON000506E-1896
Cost structure of this project
| Price | |
|---|---|
| Cost of material |
56.15
|
| Cost of labour |
65.51
|
| Cost of packaging |
4.68
|
| Local Transport to photoshoot and parcel drop-off |
3.74
|
| Subtotal – payout to artisan |
130.08
|
| Customer acquisition costs (advertising etc.) |
13.01
|
| Handling fee Urban Change Lab |
13.01
|
| Total (excluding shipping & taxes) |
156.1
|
- Secure: Transparent ordering & approval
- Personal: We support you at every step
- Fair: Direct local value creation in Kenya
Note on shipping & taxes
The cost breakdown above shows how the value of this individual project is composed.
Shipping costs and any applicable taxes (e.g. VAT) depend on the delivery country and the specific setup and are therefore not shown as fixed amounts here.
All additional costs are communicated transparently before placing a binding order.
If you have any questions, you will find our contact details further down this page.
