Khadijah Unity Noir has been a creative person her whole life. She says that she's always been an inquisitive person who, at the tender age of five, questioned her purpose in life. Raised in the Muslim faith, she adds that she's now Muslim by nature. Seemingly having found her calling in the creative capacity in which she was reared, Khadijah has garnered success and a large online presence by being a most sought-after earring artist.
Khadijah says that although she has painted on all mediums, it's her paintings on wood that have made her a favorite among fans of hand-painted jewelry. She's quite deliberate in infusing her spiritual side with her brand. She's self-taught artistically and her earring designs are rooted in rich history and symbols of African American pride, self-love, and unity. Each one of her designs is custom painted and one of a kind. Boasting beautiful vibrancy and great attention to detail, it's no mystery as to why Khadijah's self works have been as successful as they have been.
Often lending her talents to social activism, she has painted portrait earrings of victims of senseless violence such as Breonna Taylor. Her platform is frequently immersed in spreading information about issues dear to her such as individuals living with vitiligo. You can also usually find a custom earring dedicated to signifying the cause in which she's highlighting. On her YouTube channel, she offers several videos on DIY videos and step-by-step instructional videos on how to start your own hand-painted earring business as well. Thousands tune in weekly to see and hear her offer her keen insight and receive tips and tricks of the trade.
In her Etsy shop, which is named under the acronym, B.O.A.B.W, which stands for Beauty of a BlackWoman, she lists her unique designs there for purchase as well. Over 500 designs are available to view and choose from and the shop maintains stellar reviews from over 1,000 customers. Khadijah's designs are so popular in fact, she's had to deal with the unfortunate ode effect of other companies and individuals stealing her designs and attempting to pass them off as their own. From reproducing them and/or selling them on their site, Khadijah has, unfortunately, "seen it all". She's even had to contend with "bootleggers" from China who were swiping her designs and attempting to mass-produce them.
When asked how she deals with these issues she says simply, "Karma".Khadijah is adamant in letting "Lady Karma" as she calls it, do the work for her. She also says she sends copyright infringement notices for removal to those who cross the lines of legality. Khadijah says she's come to realize that this is just an unfortunate part of any creative business.
When asked what influences her to keep her creative juices flowing, she lists Hip-Hop music, humanity, and Black history, She says that she's also encouraged by hearing from customers from all around the world who tell her that she has inspired them to start their own business due to her influence and teachings. Although Covid-19 has caused restrictions on traveling and meeting with her customers and supporters at art shows and festivals, she takes comfort in the fact that all is well and she'll get to be with them in the physical once again.
For more information about Khadijah or Boabw, please go to boabw.com or Knoirdesigns.com
To find Khadijah Noir's designs on social media, please go to:
(Instagram) kunity77
(Youtube) kunity77
