Newsroom
Search:
News Article - Crafts
EC crafts aim for world centre stage
Posted on: Thursday, 14 April 2005. Article source: Eastern Cape Business News
Four crafters represented the province’s craft industry at one of the world’s largest craft shows, the International Art and Crafts Expo, taking place in Dubai this week.
Under the guidance of ECDC enterprise development services’ Belinda Vabaza and Eastern Cape Craft Development Agency head Melanie Mahona, crafters Dabs Ntshona, Ndileka Qangule, Queen Losi and Nomtobeko Ndiki represented four of the province’s six crafting nodes.
On display at the expo was 20 of the province’s best crafters who were chosen from a group of over 300 crafters.
During a recent four-week roadshow, Mahona was privy to some of the province’s best craft talent and it is clearly evident in the goods that will be on display in Dubai.
Mahona says that since this was an international show, the first choice that was made was on what category of craft would be focused upon.
“We decided upfront that homeware would have wider appeal. Our fashion goods are outstanding but they are prone to climatic obstacles.
“Thereafter, the final list was narrowed down by using a simple criteria list. We choose goods on quality, market appeal and the product’s ability to be both cultural and contemporary,” she explains.
The goods, profiled in an elegant and upmarket brochure, include, amongst others, sculptures from Ayanda Mji, candlesticks from Thulani Candlesticks, carpets from African Touch Designer Carpets and bed linen from Mosslyn Textiles, amongst others.
“After paging through the brochure, you get the distinct feeling that the goods are of extremely high quality and clearly and distinctly “designed. I am very proud of what we have on offer.”
The choice of crafters to be invited to Dubai was even more difficult. However, the crafters were narrowed to four, chosen for their experience of trade shows and availability.
“Expos of this nature are extremely important for our craft industry,” says Mahona, “not only is it a great networking opportunity but crafters are exposed to international standards. It widens their horizons and obviously, once the orders start rolling in, there can be huge economic benefits.”
ECDC, which funded the trip, believes these trips are enormously helpful in giving the province’s fledging craft industry significant exposure.
The goods for this expo will also be exhibited at the SA Fashion Week which takes place from 28 to 31 July in Johannesburg.
In the picture are crafters Nomtobeko Ndiki, Queen Losi, Dabs Ntshona and ECCDA head Melanie Mahona.
Under the guidance of ECDC enterprise development services’ Belinda Vabaza and Eastern Cape Craft Development Agency head Melanie Mahona, crafters Dabs Ntshona, Ndileka Qangule, Queen Losi and Nomtobeko Ndiki represented four of the province’s six crafting nodes.
On display at the expo was 20 of the province’s best crafters who were chosen from a group of over 300 crafters.
During a recent four-week roadshow, Mahona was privy to some of the province’s best craft talent and it is clearly evident in the goods that will be on display in Dubai.
Mahona says that since this was an international show, the first choice that was made was on what category of craft would be focused upon.
“We decided upfront that homeware would have wider appeal. Our fashion goods are outstanding but they are prone to climatic obstacles.
“Thereafter, the final list was narrowed down by using a simple criteria list. We choose goods on quality, market appeal and the product’s ability to be both cultural and contemporary,” she explains.
The goods, profiled in an elegant and upmarket brochure, include, amongst others, sculptures from Ayanda Mji, candlesticks from Thulani Candlesticks, carpets from African Touch Designer Carpets and bed linen from Mosslyn Textiles, amongst others.
“After paging through the brochure, you get the distinct feeling that the goods are of extremely high quality and clearly and distinctly “designed. I am very proud of what we have on offer.”
The choice of crafters to be invited to Dubai was even more difficult. However, the crafters were narrowed to four, chosen for their experience of trade shows and availability.
“Expos of this nature are extremely important for our craft industry,” says Mahona, “not only is it a great networking opportunity but crafters are exposed to international standards. It widens their horizons and obviously, once the orders start rolling in, there can be huge economic benefits.”
ECDC, which funded the trip, believes these trips are enormously helpful in giving the province’s fledging craft industry significant exposure.
The goods for this expo will also be exhibited at the SA Fashion Week which takes place from 28 to 31 July in Johannesburg.
In the picture are crafters Nomtobeko Ndiki, Queen Losi, Dabs Ntshona and ECCDA head Melanie Mahona.
Article Tags: No tags defined
Podcast
ECDC Xhosa Radio Ad
