Tori is from my side of the world, good old Bathurst (this is just a short distance from Port Alfred, my hometown). Some really great prints on display.
See more of her work at her website:
http://www.toristowe.com/
Peta-Lee Woolf wanted to produce local products that also had the opportunity to provide employment and empowerment to the previously disadvantaged. She trains, guides and works with local felters to produce her creations. Her team of craftspeople either learnt their basic skills via community workshops, or have been trained by her from scratch.
Contact Peta-Lee at her website:
http://www.peta-lee.co.za
Contact Tarryn de Bruyn on the following details:
Cell: (082) 450-1361
Tel: (031) 762-3398
Email: design@d2interiors.co.za
How it all started:
“This is our heartfelt story. It has a sad beginning but because of it the lives of others will be changed forever. Martha Letsoalo started the heartfelt project with Julie Hadley after her son Emanuel died in prison wrongly accused and sadly abused at the age of 25. His files to this day have never been found. After stealing what little money Martha had and promising to get Emanuel out of prison, the corrupt lawyer left her broken hearted and disheartened by the legal system in the country. With no husband to depend on, no job opportunities and three grandchildren to feed - Martha did what came naturally to her – she found a way to survive.
The heartfelt project is her story. It’s about who she is. It’s about her children. It’s about the lives of the women and families in her community. It’s about the sadness that happens on a daily basis in a little place called Makapanstad. And the big difference one small heart can make to the happiness of others. Together, Martha and Julie started creating and designing the heartfelt products using traditional handcraft skills, felt and beads. Today they are sold within South Africa and the UK. There are now ten women employed by the heartfelt project.”
Contact Julie Hadley at info@theheartfeltproject.com
www.theheartfeltproject.com
At last, something new and original with an African flavour. Shingai Netshipise, Kuna’s creator, has established a clothing and accessory range for kids that is unique. I asked her where she draws her inspiration from and how Kuna started.
Andrea and Anneke are the team (along with all their other helpers) that make up Paper Cake. Their ranges include afro baroque, afro mosaic, cast ceramic, African earth (clay) and even a metal range. I personally like their handcrafted Location range. You can also commission Papercake for any projects that you have in mind. See some examples below:
>> See more of their ranges and a background profile here…
Contact Anneke and Andrea on the following details:
Mobile: +27 82 340 3889 / +27 82 396 9887
Tel: +27 11 646 6115
Paper Cake’s website: http://www.papercake.co.za/
To be precise, Trees With A Conscience. “Forest debris” from a forestry concession in Mozambique is crafted to create one off pieces like you see below.
“When the last tree has been felled, the last fish caught and last river poisoned, only then will we finally realise that we cannot eat money.” - Chief Seattle, 1851
You can contact Bianca on the following details: Tel: +27 79 503 0151, Fax: +27 086 633 0580, Email: biancablack@vodamail.co.za or go to the website: http://www.twakwood.co.za/
I set out to Gallagher Estate a few days ago to see what was on offer. I spent a few hours walking around, taking photos and talking to the designers and stand owners. Much of my time though, I must admit, was spent in the SA Handmade Collection section - I’m a sucker for arty crafty stuff. And yes of course I bought a bag as well.
Eastern Cape was well represented, my home province, and I even met Tori Stowe from Bathurst, a very small town close to my own small home town, Port Alfred.
I’ll be posting all photos and info very soon, so watch out for these.
www.decorex.co.za
Nicholas sent me these images of his beautiful work the other day. I didn’t really know which to select to feature so I decided on a few. First up, we have the Hsien panels.
The act of decorating and describing shapes from the subconscious liberates what I now believe are sacred objects. That’s why I’ve called them Hsien objects, panels or shapes.
Any decent painting or sculpture ideally has an otherworldly quality to it, not so? The venerated object, whether it’s a sceptre, an orb, a fetish, relic, tattoo, sportscar, necklace, an ipod, garment or crown of state possesses, projects or wields power often beyond or greater than its physical appearance right? It’s job is to attract, summon, focus or magnify sensations. And it is singly able to transport or relocate your sense of location. In fact, a good Hsien object, shape or pattern to my mind, should relocate or even dislocate the viewer’s whereabouts by sight, touch or both.
And the wonderfully playful Afrobot paintings and ceramics series.
