KATHRINIA CONNELL makes worlds out of beads.
From her talented hands, chairs, glasses full of wine, tables and more come to life – all made from beads.
Her love of craft began from schooldays at the then St Lucy Secondary School during needlepoint classes. She said the seeds were planted there but did not bloom for years later.
The young woman, who lives in Crab Hill, St Lucy, said she worked with canvas at school. Now, at 30 years old, she said she has spent half her life creating craft. However after leaving school, she had other concerns.
“After school, I hold off as I had my four children and then drifted from job to job but I wasn’t happy working for other people so I went back to my craft,” she said.
For Connell, it was like coming home again as she was doing two things she loved – working with her hands and working for herself. She said if she could make a profit from that, then so much the better.
Connell said she started working with canvas like in her school days – making bird houses, chairs, kettles and dolls – but times were hard.
“I didn’t find a market at first, it was real hard because people not really into craft but I never tried selling to tourists, I always wanted to get a permit and sell on the beach but I never tried. I just used to put them here in my grandmother place,” she said.
Then an encounter with a friend changed her life.
“I saw a friend making a box made of beads and I took it to the next level,” she said. “My grandmother used to work at Clark’s, a chicken place, and a co-worker of hers made a jewellery box out of beads. She bought it for my son and I told her I wanted to try making one so I follow the pattern and did it. I just see it and like to do it and from that, I am forever making bead works,” she said.
Connell said she was currently involved on a project for a client, but sourcing the beads could be difficult.
“I haven’t truly challenged myself yet; I have nuff more patterns in my head but all the money I earn goes towards my family so buying beads is an issue. I put some of my work on WhatsApp and Facebook and a fella ask me to make him some wine bottles and glasses so that’s what I’m working on now,” she said.
Connell recalled how her mother used to make chair backs with crochet and speculated this was where her love started. She admitted she was unable to crochet well but could follow the patterns with beads. Now, she said her own children were showing interest, adding she wished more emphasis was placed on craft in schools.
“My oldest son is picking up the needle and following some of my patterns. You don’t really see it now but I would like to see more children into it. Children can go to school and learn math and English but craft can teach them patience and some children don’t have that, too much violence ’bout the place.”
