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International Artisan Aid Assistance projects have provided me with a unique opportunity to work hand in hand with economically challenged rural artisans-farmers to make the things they need from local and natural resources.
Straw Coppice and Hat Making - Jamaica:
Screw-Pine Woven Handbags - Oxford, Jamaica:
Early in the summer of 2017, I was contacted by Aid to Artisans about a potential project to weave in Guyana. I had several discussions with the founder of the project, Alice Layton, who has helped to create an outpost research center in Yapakuri. The project centered on various craft skills of the Makushi people that are used for making necessary objects for farming, making food, and living. We developed traditional weaving-plaiting techniques to make woven decorative mats for inserting into kitchen cabinet frames made by Ikea. It was a wonderful project, and the Amerindians are beautiful, thoughtful, and industrious people.
Mokru plants are coppiced, processed, stripped, sized, and dyed. Layout boards are used to size panel weavings with authentic designs.
As a consultant to small producers, cooperatives, and micro-enterprises in Haiti, I found ways to enhance the designs and techniques of traditional craftwork. It was amazing to be a part of such unique training modules to assist in design and technical skills.
Sisal Coppicing & Craft - Cote de fer, Haiti
Palm & Vine Weaving Baskets - La Vallee, Haiti
Palm Plaiting Workshop - Marc Lassure, Haiti
Bamboo Coppicing & Craft - Marmelade, Haiti
A brief introduction to my current work involves sharing my central philosophy of growing what you can use to make-work from which to preserve the value of what you grow. Making and Living can sustain and enrich our lives and, in turn, the environment that we share with others.
My own passion for using natural materials, which can be farmed locally, was inspired by my human interests to work with and support agricultural artisans in Haiti, Jamaica, and India. Learning to use one’s hands, as well as using simple tools, to work with what grows locally is a very compelling and satisfying way of life. If only our economic models, value proposition, and buying habits would embrace the values of truly made and grown products.
My current work has been based in Ohio where I have planted and established a coppicing field of willows primarily for basket making and living willow structures.
I studied last year in Germany at the school in Lichtenfels and with master basket weavers to train my hands-on traditional techniques of making willow baskets and to get a feeling of how to work with willow materials.
My goal is to establish an outpost, learning center, and working farm in our very rural and economically challenged region of southern Appalachia Ohio to promote and develop the skills of growing, processing, and making products based on the sustainable methods of coppicing crafts.
