( CNN ) -- It takes a lot of guts to choose jewelry design over a career in medicine , but then , Janet Fredman is n't the kind of woman to shy away from challenges . Shunning the prospect of attending medical to follow her creative side , the young entrepreneur went about transforming a passion for handmade accessories into a flourishing design practice based in Zambia 's capital , Lusaka . Despite the country 's rich offering of gold and gemstones , Fredman opted for everyday materials such as wood , seeds and leather to make her pieces . The result is a stunning collection of rings , bracelets and necklaces that translate the beauty of Zambia into wearable art . `` [ When ] I started first making jewelry , it started as a hobby '' , recalls Fredman . `` I started making jewelry out of beads , and then later went to study as a goldsmith . '' She adds , `` after studying , I came back and then what I learned as a goldsmith I incorporated it with Zambian materials to make contemporary Zambian jewelry . '' A visit to a Cape Town jewelry shop further inspired Fredman to dive headfirst into her new venture , and since January 2014 , the business has provided both a rewarding and challenging experience . Still in her 20s , Fredman has impressed many with her success , but establishing a new business at a young age is never easy . `` Business has been going OK '' , says Fredman . `` Sometimes it 's slow and sometimes it 's high -- [ I 'm ] still trying to find my way , what to do , the how , the do 's and the don'ts ; still trying to figure it out . '' Professional and sleek , Janet Fredman Designs has the appearance of a high value retailer -- but it 's this very quality that has led some people to question the legitimacy of her work . `` They 're like 'you 're young , did you really make this ? ' or 'maybe you bought and maybe you 're selling ' '' she says . Nevertheless , Fredman remains unfazed . In fact , the talented designer shows no sign of slowing down . `` The hopes for my business is to grow it , so it becomes an empire , a jewelry empire everyone will be talking about . '' Click through the gallery above to see Fredman 's creative process and check the video below to find out more about her entrepreneurial journey . Read this : Brand creates buzz with Africa-inspired designs . Read this : Luxury shoes put sparkle in your step .
Janet Fredman Limited is a manufacturing business based in Lusaka , Zambia . Fredman transforms raw materials such as wood and seeds into quality accessories . The venture hopes to reveal the inherent value in modest resources .