CRAFT IS THE BEDROCK OF A COUNTRY.
It is where the foundation of a nation is formed.
It is one of Barbados’ oldest professions and should not be allowed to wane or wither.
And, according to craftswoman Undine Rouse, “I ain’t giving up on craft until I ain’t able anymore – because craft is we culture!”
Having been involved in the art of craft for “years upon years”, Rouse is proud to be the president of an organization that is made up of a group of people who get together to make a difference in the island’s craft industry.
The Craft Union of Barbados, formed in 2008, is focused on making and promoting strictly Bajan craft.
“We are doing this to strive for excellence and to promote craft at the highest level and standard in Barbados. So when our craft goes to the outside market, it will be of the highest quality as possible.
“And the craftwork we do here can compete in any international market because we have a tremendous lot to offer. Each craftsperson does different work and they are talented and gifted.”
Speaking to the MIDWEEK NATION at the Coral Mist Hotel, Worthing, Christ Church, where she operates a craft shop, Rouse said that while the craft industry was one for creative people to express themselves in the process of making money, it was not an easy arena in the current economic climate.
But the mother of three believes that any good craftsperson would do whatever is possible to survive the climate.
The 58-year-old’s point of view: “I find that we craft people need to get up and knock on people’s doors, set up ourselves, promote ourselves, get flyers and business cards to market ourselves.
When you are going to package, do it properly. Sell yourself properly. Sometimes you go out selling and don’t make a cent, but don’t give up; get up and go again the next day.”
Rouse, who specializes in making baskets, jewellery and clothing, among other things, admitted that being involved in the trade was often a costly venture:
“You can’t source all the raw materials here and what you can source is expensive.”
But she was clear to weave into her remarks the thought that “there are a lot of materials in the urban and rural areas of Barbados which can be used to make craft”.
She recounted an occurrence that helped to nurture her passion: “At one time I went to Pelican Village and I spoke to a young lady and I asked her where she was from and she told me she was from Jamaica.
“I asked her if she made her craft in Barbados and she said no. She told me, ‘When I come into Barbados, I put on Barbados name on them. When I am leaving, I leave them with one of the people down here to sell for me’. And I said to her, ‘Oh, that’s it?’ From that day I knew that I wanted to see only local craft with the name Barbados marketing it,” said the Fairholmes Gardens, Maxwell, Christ Church resident.
Rouse, who has won silver and bronze awards at the National Independence Festival Of Creative Arts (NIFCA), boasted that her organization also practised social responsibility.
“In all of this, while we collect, we try to give back because when you receive, you have to be able to give back. There are a lot of people out there who need help. There are a lot of old people who are neglected and then there are a lot of children growing up without the guidance of parents and children.
“I always tell people that in order for you to join this crafts union, you have to be willing to give back to the community. Actually, this month and next month we are going to be working with the Challenor School and Gordon Cummins District Hospital.
We are going to be raising funds at a craft fair,” said the WEDNESDAY WOMAN.
