Boatloads of charm. That is the indelible impression one is left with upon meeting Sharon Williams, a maker of indigenous craft. Pointing to each item she had displayed for sale, Williams, who hails from Moruca, Region One (Barima-Waini), carefully described it, detailing all of the natural materials used to produce the striking creations.
DaCosta’s Indigenous Craft, the business she co-owns with her cousin Shawnette DaCosta, specialises in “authentic native accessories, head-dresses, outfits, dream catchers, pots, jewellery boxes, etc”. It also sells cassava bread, Pomeroon cassareep, cassava starch, and honey.
Their creative genius was evident in the wide array of products on show – ranging from colourful straw dresses to bejewelled coconut jewellery boxes – and their unique colour, shape, finish or material.
Williams revealed that the items on display in her booth during the Amerindian cultural exhibition at Sophia Exhibition Site took weeks to complete, but she was not satisfied with the level of production, candidly disclosing that she had a late start.
But then an irrepressible smile pops out and she says the response has been good. One patron after a few questions about the materials used buys an impeccably woven matapee.
It reminds him of the ones his grandmother used to make, he says, and he has been searching for one like it for months. In their interaction, Williams’s easy and relaxed yet confident manner shone through – illustrating her impressive customer service and marketing skills.
In a later interview, her cousin said: “It’s really good [to own your own business].
But the craft business, we do not get the support we deserve. Guyanese really don’t like buying craft…they should support.”
Williams, who concurred as to the joys and difficulties inherent in the craft business earlier, is clearly not deterred as she confidently expounded on the plans she has for the exhibition next year.
Contact: 660-6569, 6719894
