Beautiful. Exquisitely crafted. From midway down an aisle of the Sophia exhibition area, a tan and purple basket captures the eye, its fan-shape designs of deep and saturated colour acting like a beacon, drawing patrons to Janette’s Handicraft Products’ booth.
“Neat,” says the owner, Janette Patterson – snapping shut her cellphone – with the confidence of an artisan who knows well the quality of her products, as persons lingered over the exquisite, hand-woven items, enthralled by their elegance and colour combinations. “It is neat work,” the mother of six adult children and grandmother of nine reiterates approvingly. Her daughter Shereen, who first greeted the would-be customer with a smile as she arrived at the booth, nods in agreement.
Each piece represents hours of work by Patterson and approximately 16-18 other “ladies” of Santa Aratak Village in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara). Shereen, who is also part of the group and described her mom as “in charge”, says “it is satisfying working” for her.
The items are made from ipe straw and the process of preparing the straw from the ipe palm is a laborious, three-day task: they go out into the forest, cut the leaves which they then strip, boil and sun dry. “If you have no sun, it’s a problem,” Patterson, a 25-year-old veteran of the craft business, said. The straw is then dyed if necessary with dyes purchased in Georgetown and hand woven into baskets, mats, fans, matapees, hammocks, bags, place mats, jewellery or any item a customer orders. Some of the items are purchased outright by Patterson and the others sold on commission.
The inspiration behind the artistry of the mother-and-daughter pair both comes from within, with Patterson saying “I am inspired because it’s my work. This is my job and this is what brings in the money.”
Travelling to exhibitions is a large part of the business, and the kind but stately matriarch, who understands profoundly the importance of marketing, is well armed with her business cards, quality products, and a readiness to meet new people, which she said is the most crucial aspect of her enterprise. Patterson explained that the most important characteristic of an entrepreneur was “being humble and your personality – know how to meet people; know how to treat people”.
Her advice to budding business owners is “you have to have determination to work on”.
“Sometimes you have money, sometimes you don’t. Not all times it’s bright and beautiful,” the Essequibo resident said, later highlighting that entrepreneurs should be given help to access working capital. “But in all things I have learnt to give God thanks.”
For Patterson, who noted that God has brought her through the hard times, knowing and living her life for God and eternal life is the higher purpose to which she has set herself. “…To know the Lord Jesus as your personal Saviour and serve him”.
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