arts and crafts village

Livity for Sabi and Eugenia

noreply@blogger.com (Finola JC) — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 16:26:00 +0000

So, Sabi, Eugenia, their kids and, it would seem, Edge, who was like their family, have been taken by Hurricane Tomas.

Livity Arts Studio, their workplace and home were swept entirely away under the power of water, land and the mountains. An almost unbelievable event for those of us who knew them…and many knew them. They were like family to many, good friends to more, business partners to many of the traditional crafters – Daphne Stephen, Irene Alphonse, Cathy Osman, just a few who had a special relationship with them.

Eugenia and Sabi, Balenbouche, Summer 2010, Photo by Tricia Fay

For the rest of us in the arts and crafts community, they were a fixture – always there – part of everything. You name the event – they would be there in some form or other…some of us would pick n choose, deciding some events ‘were not worth our effort’…not Sabi and Eugenia – they might think it, say it, but they’d be there anyway, to support the arts “Yeah man, Finola, you know…it’s what we do” That’s what Sabi would say, and Eugenia would smile and make a little face, her heart in the same place.

I remember in the midst of the troubles of the St. Lucia Arts & Crafts Coop, where Sabi was the President…we all sat outside while the Board met…we were ‘complaining’ that Sabi was too soft…many there did not realize Eugenia was sitting quietly with us. She eventually piped up and said “I’m tired telling Sabi he has to be more firm” But let’s be honest – it was not in Sabi’s heart to believe anything bad about people…he could not give up believing there was ‘a reason’ no matter how bad it seemed to the rest of us anyone was behaving.

I drove by Livity so, so many times, not stopping, sometimes missing the horn to beep “hello”, but always saying “hello” in my heart. Now I cannot help but wish I’d stopped more often. How many times have I felt that recently with the loss of people in my life? Too often.

Livity Arts Studio

I saw Eugenia last briefly – stopped by on a rainy day to get a bamboo basket for our cat to sleep in – we have two huge ones from them for our spoilt dogs. She emerged dust covered with sandpaper in hand, from somewhere in the back…eyes puffy but smiling, working hard as always. I got my basket – which I have in my studio, the cat preferred his current bed…and I was glad anyway – I liked the basket :-)

The last time I saw Sabi, stopped at Livity, I was taking Andy and Rich from Dominica to discuss the upcoming training that the FAO, through the Ministry of Agriculture is doing. It was a great visit. We looked around at the calabashes – carved, stained, woven onto by Daphne – we talked about it all – laughed at the number of bags of calabashes, green, dry, small, large, that we saw just everywhere, and Sabi laughed “Yeah man, and that’s not all you know – we have more!”

When we looked at the coffee beans Sabi started to talk about how long it had taken them to perfect the roasting of the coffee…I would know – we used to roast coffee and had long been asking Sabi for coffee off his land, but as it always was with him, he loved to do it himself! We talked about how most people end up burning it, and we discussed if it was Arabica or Robusta we had here – and eventually just agreed it was the best coffee anyway, anywhere – and I remarked that people had emailed us from all over the world to say so! So he asked would we like some. YES! Of course the answer came…so off he went to brew some up.

It was a great cup of coffee, fuel for more chat.

Coffe and Cocoa beans at Livity

You know the secret to getting good colour on a calabash? I can tell you now – I am sure Sabi wouldn’t mind. Sharpie markers.

I was asked today if I’d speak to the media about Sabi and Eugenia – I’d happily do it, but you know, much as I am so involved in the arts and crafts, much as I knew them many years, I know many more of you also shared this friendship…please share here…and I set up a facebook group – Livity for Sabi and Eugenia – so we can plan to do honour to their memory and keep their spirit alive, please do join and talk there too.

Eugenia and Sabi in St. Kitts, photo by Urmie Persaud

If you have pictures you'd like to share, please use the kontacrme button on the right below the subscribe button.

Please share your memories

Still Planning for Change to a Functioning Selling Website

noreply@blogger.com (Finola JC) — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 21:02:00 +0000

Can't believe almost a year has gone by since that last post - I have hesitated to add new content as we have been always a short way away from getting the website going. BUT obviously that hasn't yet happened.

In the meantime, I have had it confirmed that we in the Caribbean, cannot use Paypal without a US bank account, so it makes it much more difficult for us to sell online. We're working on affordable solutions and I am encouraged to get this going by the comments readers have been leaving saying how much they want to buy items from some of the artists represented here.

I'd like to ask everyone who really, genuinely would like to do that, to leave a comment - if you can identify the person who's work you're interested in, even better, but if not, still comment and give me as much info as you can.

You can also use the Contact Us button on the right if you'd like to leave some details and be emailed when a site is up...or just subscribe to RSS or follow this blog.

Thanks for stopping by - let's hope your shopping for Caribbean gifts will soon be a reality.

Cheers

Finola

Arts & Crafts Village is Changing

noreply@blogger.com (Finola JC) — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 20:41:00 +0000

We're going Caribbean wide!

In the coming weeks and months we'll be making BIG changes

We'll be adding lots of new Caribbean creative people to the blog
We'll be putting up a full website with shopping capability
We'll be integrating the Caribbean Creatives Cafe community with the Website and Blog
We know through our own experience that it's difficult to make a mark online by yourself, but we also know that there's so much to be gained by having an effective online presence...

So we decided to offer a collaborative project so that we can all benefit from a bigger web presence.

You can take part if you have your own website-even if you already have your own shopping on your site.
You can take part if you have no website - even if you only make small amounts of items.
Once you are serious about wanting to sell, expand your horizons, build connections - TALK TO US!
All Caribbean Creatives are welcome - Arts, Crafts, Gifts, Music, Packaged Foods, Books, Fashion, Accessories - you name it!

We're doing all this so that Caribbean Creatives - ourselves included - can establish business online and build online contacts for customers, suppliers, collaborations, activities, promotion.

JOIN US TODAY!

If you are interested, drop us a line using the Contact Form, tell us a little about yourself and we'll get back to you with more information.

In the meantime - pop on over to Caribbean Creative Cafe and join there - add some photos of your products or work in progress, tell us about yourself, look at the discussions, perhaps add to the Barter Box...See You There!

Please share this post with people you think may be interested - and if you have ideas, suggestions, questions - add a comment below!

Contacts List

noreply@blogger.com (Finola JC) — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 17:24:00 +0000

Are you a buyer? Would you like to have a list of contacts for the St. Lucian businesses featured on this site?

If so, please use the Contact form on the right side of the blog to send me a message requesting the list and giving me a brief description of your business - include your email address and I will send you the list as a PDF.

I promise that I will keep your email safe and secure and will never pass it on to anyone else.

If you would like to know when we update this site - subscribe using the RSS button at the top right of the screen.

Thanks for visiting!

Cold Porcelain & Sterling Silver Set by Finola Prescott

See how to make Cold Porcelain and a tutorial on making a dolphin at Explore Arts

Please Subscribe Again

noreply@blogger.com (Finola JC) — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 12:43:00 +0000

Well, of course I'd love new subscribers, but also, those of you who were with me early on, if you're wondering why you're not getting emails or RSS feeds it's because Zookoda, who I had my subscription service with in the early days, stopped the service and I've been unable (so far) to retrieve my subscriber base!

I'm posting less often now due to other calls on my time but I am working up to a post a week on a regular basis - would love to have you with me!

So, please subscribe - again or for the first time -

handmade album by Finola Prescott

Chance to Win - Raffle of Beautiful Products

noreply@blogger.com (Finola JC) — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 15:31:00 +0000

Well, we're nearly ready for the Arts & Crafts Village and we'd like to invite everyone to come out and see what's on offer - there’s no entrance fee to the Arts & Crafts Village – just walk in from the beach and take a look around at the tent-booths and the central shop.

As a sweetener, the participating companies have each given one of their items for an amazing raffle – each purchase of EC$10 (US$4) or more receives one chance to win a prize from this great collection of designer items!

So come on out and support St. Lucian creativity – we think you’ll be quite surprised by the fantastic, high quality products that are made right here in our island!

See you on Pigeon Island Beach - 17th - 24th January - we're open each day 9am - 6pm!

Tradition and Contemporary - Crafty Creations

noreply@blogger.com (Finola JC) — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 03:02:00 +0000

Choiseul is the home of traditional crafts in St. Lucia - basketry, pottery, woodcarving, furniture making.

Just South of the village is a small craft shop called Crafty Creations owned by Ulrica Prospere, a well known craftsperson. Full to the brim with local crafts of all sorts, Ulrica takes the traditional items and gives them her own new look with decorative flourishes.

She works with many local crafters so the variety of items is wide - you'll find tableware - mats, napkins, serving trays and baskets, fashions - bags and hats, decor - local wicker - awali and ti kanot vines from the rainforest woven into bassonets, laundry baskets, picnic hampers and you'll also find lots of decorative items as well as sculptures and carvings of all sorts.

Sisal PlacematsTubecoiled Screwpine and Madras Bread Baskets
Woven Tissue Box Covers
Tubecoiled Basket - Lined and Trimmed
Wicker Laundry Basket
Screwpine & Madras Tote BagsWoven Sisal Hat

Crafty Creations brings Choiseul to your doorstep at the Arts & Crafts Village!

Crochet - Priscilla George

noreply@blogger.com (Finola JC) — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 02:43:00 +0000

St. Lucia sometimes seems like the world centre for crochet - mothers teach daughters, aunts teach neices - whether it's a pair of crochet earrings, a bathingsuit, bag or traditional 'chair back' you're looking for, you are bound to find it somewhere in the shops or vendors trays of St. Lucia.

Priscilla George has been making creative crochet garments and decor for many a year - her products are made to last and always suit a person with style. Recently she has branched into small bags and hats made from our national cloth the Madras. I wore a pair of her earrings the day after I bought them and was stopped by three people who wanted to know where I got such unusual jewelry!

Ceramics - Caribic Design

noreply@blogger.com (Finola JC) — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 20:11:00 +0000

Caribic Design specializes in hand-made and hand-painted ceramic products for the Caribbean gift market, using both imported white and local red clays. Popular items include market vendors with baskets of local produce, colorful fish platters in a range of sizes, salt & pepper shakers disguised as tropical fruit, and refrigerator magnets of many designs.

Recently Urmie Persaud, Caribic's owner and originator has created a new series of items - still taking inspiration, in many cases from Caribbean culture, this new range would fit right into any designer decorated home across the globe.

Caribic Designs can customize to your specifications - whether a special fridge magnet or designer lamps for your restaurant or hotel.

Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (Finola JC) — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 00:22:00 +0000

It's Christmas! Okay so by the time the Arts & Crafts Village will be up and running, Christmas will have passed, but we'll still have a lovely range of handmade ornaments that you can pick up for '09.

Here's a selection of what will be available - all from the St. Lucia Arts & Crafts Cooperative

Tradition and Contemporary - Livity Art Studio

noreply@blogger.com (Finola JC) — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 15:52:00 +0000

Livity Art Studio is a family run business with a lovely roadside shop in Colombette, Soufriere. Husband and wife team, Sabi and Eugenia work alongside their in-house artist ‘Edge’ and together they create an exciting range of art and art-crafts.

Eugenia’s specialty is jewelry, mixing local seeds and natural items with beads and stones to create contemporary designs.

She also does weaving onto and construction of the calabash pots that are carved by Sabi and painted by Sabi and Edge.

Edge is well known for his colourful painting on canvas as well as on local traditional clay plates and calabash.

Livity brings an eclectic mix of traditional St. Lucian forms with contemporary adaptation to the Arts & Crafts Village.

Baby Blankets - Dahlia's Baby Softness

noreply@blogger.com (Finola JC) — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 20:45:00 +0000

To call these 'Baby Blankets' doesn't quite cover it - Dahlia stitches and plumps up a wide variety of safe and soft solutions for your baby and toddler's comfort. Cartoon characters make them cute for baby and beholder too!

We can guess that the parents started to get jealous too, because we're told there'll also be a range of adult comforters at the Arts & Crafts Village in January - and some will be singing your tune - literally - musical bedsheets...you'll just have to come and see for yourself!

Bags, Handpainted Pareos, Art - Lynn Bristol

noreply@blogger.com (Finola JC) — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 03:02:00 +0000

Lyn A. Bristol is a versatile artist – graphics, carnival and theatre costumes, stage sets, as well as handpainted fashions and one of a kind bags and wall hangings. Lyn also undertakes special commissions for local and international corporate gifts and other needs. Much of her commissioned work has been in the line of cultural and natural depictions.

Her one-of-a-kind bags come in all shapes and sizes, some taking form from the recycled materials they are made from, others in simple, elegant styles with full or accent hand-painting and adornment. Her pareos and clothing are subtle mixes of colourful Caribbean hues – earthy as well as tropical.

Her art takes much of it’s inspiration from the local and regional cultural scene – both traditional and contemporary and ranges from characterful illustrative to abstracted.

Spa Products - Green Papaya

noreply@blogger.com (Finola JC) — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 00:08:00 +0000

Patricia Lee Cozier of Green Papaya uses the natural resources of her island home – the Bamboo, Nutmeg, Hibiscus, Aloe Vera, Mint, Sea Mineral, Palm Oil, Coconut Oil and much more in the luxurious, body pampering products that she makes.

Green Papaya also creates holistic spa applications for spa’s in various resorts around the island including the exotic, coastal TiKaye Village Resort and the beautiful, historic Stonefield Estate Villa Resort.

Here are a few of the treats that await you at

http://www.topleasethesenses.com/

Hibiscus Body Polish

West Indian Cream Scrub
Spearmint Sea Kelp Foot Polish
Jasmine Body Mist
Inner Peace Body Oil
Green Papaya Body Butter

Body Bars:
Peppermint Lift
West Indian Sunset
Caribbean Apricot
Sweet Citrus Burst
Spearmint Loofah Bar
Caribbean Apricot Loofah Bar

The Spa Products are of the highest quality incorporating the use of oils, herbs, spices, floral waters, fruity enzymes, natural sea salts, sugars and essential oils of rich nutritional value. Green Papaya ensures that not too much heat is applied when creating the products, as this could destroy beneficial properties of life force for the skin. Each batch of spa products made, are numbered for individuality. The spa products should be used within six months from the date on the Green Papaya Booklet Label.

Green Papaya’s Spa products were designed for all skin types and are:

100% Pure - 100% Natural
Synthetic Chemical Free - High Quality - Environmentally Friendly
Made in St.Lucia and Eco-friendly in their packaging.

Shoes - Claudius Edgar

noreply@blogger.com (Finola JC) — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 15:37:00 +0000

Claudius has been making shoes for many years now, at first known for his macrame slippers, he now makes a variety of stylish slippers in fashionable colours as well as national colours of the islands - so you can outfit yourself for an elegant casual day or wear your National pride with style!

Soaps - Canabelle Co-operative

noreply@blogger.com (Finola JC) — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 21:02:00 +0000

Handmade soap has to be tried for it's appeal to be understood: The difference to commercial soaps is immediately felt once you start to use these soaps - it's a scientific thing too - in commercial soaps, glycerine is removed (even glycerine soaps don't have as much as a handmade soap) and many chemicals are added that do not benefit your skin.

In the new tradition of soap making, Canabelle soaps take the old-time way of making soap and puts a new twist on things adding herbs, fruits, spices, essential oils and minerals to create a lively selection of soaps that gently cleanse away the stress of the day.

Dolls - Cynthia James

noreply@blogger.com (Finola JC) — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 20:26:00 +0000

The making of cloth dolls has been a tradition in St. Lucia for a very long time - trays of colourful dresses and smiling faces decorate market stalls and shop shelves alike.

Cynthia James is known for her beautifully crafted cloth dolls - and doll souvenirs. Tiny, handsewn items - little dolls on the end of pencils, pin cushion dolls, tiny fridge-magnet dolls, now also holding notepaper, and her latest addition, little kweyol sacks - filled with fragrant pot pourri to adorn your fridge, hang in your closet or in your car to freshen your ride. These souvenirs are exquisitely crafted to last.

Fashion - Sonjette's Wearable Framable Art

noreply@blogger.com (Finola JC) — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 18:01:00 +0000

As an artist Sonjette says "I'm perpetually striving to express myself in a creative and meaningful way. The tool I use for this expression is fabric. I use the warm and vibrant colors of the Caribbean landscape, together with the designs of indigenous tribes of Africa and South America to tell my stories and create unique pieces."

Each piece is designed and made individually. There are often several different processes that each piece goes through to create the patterns. Combinations of shibori, tie-dye, resist dyeing and fabric painting are often used to produce a truly unique wearable or frameable piece of art.

Sonjette's Concept
"I believe that a body clothed in a garment of hand painted art becomes a moving canvas, offering constant visual stimulation to those who see it."

Herbal Products - Eden Herbs

noreply@blogger.com (Finola JC) — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 13:22:00 +0000

At Eden Herbs, our aim is to promote and enhance an individual’s holistic wellbeing through the use of natural herbal products. Driven by the vision of our founder (Dr. Gilbertha St. Rose, a qualified Integrative Health Practitioner, Dermatologist and Herbalist) we’ve embraced the Caribbean's healthy tradition in natural herbal remedies, to deliver a range of herbal products which are proven in providing exceptional benefits to all.
Alongside our customers’ satisfaction, scientific research into the medicinal properties of our Caribbean plants confirms many of the traditional beliefs about the healing properties of these herbal ingredients.

Tableware - Two Fish Designs

noreply@blogger.com (Finola JC) — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 19:49:00 +0000

Two Fish Designs are the original creations of a St. Lucian artist Kim, specializing in the highest quality painted glass and ceramic artwork. Each piece is hand painted by the artist using professional grade paints and materials; it's then oven-fired to ensure that the original design will not chip, scratch or fade. Because of this unique process our products are dishwasher safe and can be used everyday.

The hand painting ensures that no two pieces are exactly alike, your piece is an original, a unique piece of St. Lucian art to take home and treasure for years to come. Of course you can also purchase sets based on the same design that will transform your dinner table into an gallery of beautiful art!

Wines – Paradise Wines

noreply@blogger.com (Finola JC) — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 22:01:00 +0000

With 10 years of winemaking under their belts, the folks at Paradise Wines have gathered a loyal clientele in the hotel sector and amongst St. Lucians who relish enjoying a good local product.

The range is entirely made from local fruits and includes; banana, golden apple, West Indian gooseberry, mango, sugarcane, ginger, carambola and guava wines. These are available both in decorative bottles or traditionally labelled bottles and as a trio of flavours gift set.

But don’t just enjoy these wines on their own, try cooling down on a hot day with a wine spritzer by mixing with soda water, or a flavoured fizzy drink and how about jazzing up your main course with a splash of fruit wine added in the cooking pot? There’s great flavour to be sampled in so many ways.

BUY TOGETHER - how about a handpainted bottle of Paradise Wine in a handcrafted Wine Basket?

Perfume - Caribbean Perfumes

noreply@blogger.com (Finola JC) — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 20:24:00 +0000

Caribbean Perfumes, was founded in 1979 by Myra Killip. Inspiration came from a late afternoon walk in the gardens of the Diamond Estate in Soufriere. In 2002, Caribbean Perfumes was purchased by Jacques and Cathy Rioux, local the owners of Jacques Waterfront Dining in Vigie, where Caribbean Perfumes The Perfumery is now found.

Ladies fragrances are available in a 30ml eau de toilette and a 65ml eau de parfum natural spray in attractive frosted bottles. You can select from a number of fragrances including Ile d’Or (deluxe fragrance) La Passion; Le Bleu; Marigot Breeze; Pink Orchid; Soleil and Frangipani one of Myra’s original fragrances along with Isle d’Or. Tropique or Periquito for men are available in 50ml eau de toilette.

Skincare - Natmed

noreply@blogger.com (Finola JC) — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 18:00:00 +0000

Natmed was founded by two Doctors of Naturopathic Medicine, who wanted to ensure that only the best products would be used on their first-born baby boy. The first product was the natural insect repellent. Soon after, the sun care line was developed and has now been extended to include a line of natural skincare and personal care products.

The company believes in using only the best, natural ingredients, which add value to your health, and never using anything which burdens it. Their product line was awarded “Best Product Line” at the Caribbean Gift & Craft Show 2001 (CGCS2001) Barbados.

Sculpture - Vincent Joseph Eudovic

noreply@blogger.com (Finola JC) — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 13:57:00 +0000

Vincent Joseph Eudovic started sculpting as a very young child and competed in his first exhibition, when he just 12. His piece, named "ALI BABA" won first prize - which was EC$15.

From then on Eudovic was set in his vocation. Over the years he developed his art in Trinidad with Ricardo Vincente, as a teacher of sculpture in St. Lucia and later through a UN scholarship, which took him to Nigeria.

This was the biggest experience in his life. In Nigeria Eudovic discovered many extraordinary artists who taught and influenced him a great deal. He studied monumental sculpture with artists who worked on pieces almost twenty feet high, he was initiated into the traditional art of Yoruba, and studied the artistic symbols of the people and their sculpture tradition, he studied modern art as well.

Upon his return Eudovic recommenced teaching what he had learnt to aspiring local sculptors in the process, creating a vibrant sculpture community in St. Lucia. He has continued teaching in St. Lucia and around the Caribbean and is widely considered the father of sculpture in St. Lucia. He regularly exhibits locally and regionally and has shown work in many countries of the world.

Now his family run Eudovic’s Art Studio is world known as a must see stop in St. Lucia

Eudovic uses various local woods for his abstract carvings, taking roots of dead or felled trees and allowing the unique shapes and forms to speak to him and inspire the sculpture he creates.

Eudovic uses Mahogany, Teak, Laurier Mabouey and Caribbean Red and White Cedar, but his favourite is without doubt Laurier Canelle, which is now extinct in St. Lucia. The old stumps are searched for deep in the forest. Laurier Canelle has a remarkable beauty brought out by utlra-fine sanding and hours of dedicated polishing – a rare beauty.

Crafts - Shirley Ann Edward

noreply@blogger.com (Finola JC) — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 01:41:00 +0000

Shirley Ann Edward has been an active and passionate contributor to the local handicraft sector for the past twelve years. Apart from her handicraft Ms. Edward is a decorator and designer for homes and commercial sectors.

Many of her creations have been showcased in both local and regional trade fairs as far as Spain. Customers are charmed by the detailing of her souvenirs which include hand painted refrigerator magnets, the ever popular fish scale dolls, calypso dolls and the latest line of her “Angel Creole” Christmas tree decorations.