(CNN) -- It takes a lot of guts to choose jewelry design over a career in medicine, but then, Janet Fredman isn'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 Designs is a jewelry business based in Lusaka, Zambia .
Fredman transforms raw materials such as wood and seeds into quality accessories .
The venture hopes to reveal the inherent beauty in modest resources .
(CNN) -- It takes a lot of guts to choose jewelry design over a career in medicine, but then, Janet Fredman isn'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 .
design practice based in Zambia's capital, materials such as wood, seeds and leather to make her pieces. The result is a stunning collection the beauty of Zambia into wearable art. "[When] I venture, and since January 2014, the business has Fredman Designs has the appearance of a high