Wires - Import export

In 2003, American citizen Valerie Garber started an NGO, Work of Our Hands, in Five Rand Kamp, an informal settlement of Okahandja, Namibia. It currently supports 13 formerly disadvantaged women with skills transfer and craft education. The women are taught the art of making jewellery using wire and beads; and also crocheting wire to make attractive, durable adornments for the wrist and the neckline, in colours and hues compatible with the most sophisticated of wardrobes. The ceramic beads used to make the jewellery, earrings in particular, are also handmade by the women of the project making every item a unique piece of art. Each handmade item of jewellery is accompanied by the name and a small photograph of its creator, adding dimension to the beautiful items. The income generated by sales of the jewellery benefits the disadvantaged women involved in the project, to purchase raw materials, pay rents and sales staff.

Petra Naruses is the creative mind behind a range of wired, beaded and recycled light-fittings, lampshades, mobiles and decorative craft for the home. Using recycled material such as beer-bottle tops, caps, wire, bicycle tyres, makalani shells and old zinc sheets, Petra creates a remarkable variety of popular lampshades and light-fittings. Combining rural Namibian colour palettes (earthy browns, rusty reds, sandy tans) with bright, shiny wire-mesh or dulled rusted wire, lends an almost otherworldly ‘look and feel’ to the mobiles and light-fittings. The handmade light-fittings in particular are versatile enough to stylishly compliment the interiors of both chic urban and elegant, rural farmsteads. The natural materials (acacia seeds, old zinc, pips, pods, and driftwood) combined in the making of the mobiles, a welcome addition to any home, betray an artistically-oriented patterned organisation.

Morris Baba found hope in handicraft. It started as a hobby first and grew into something more. When he came to Namibia, he started on the street and made wire and beaded animals and art pieces. After really battling, he was offered a spot at the Craft Centre. Now he has improved the quality of this products and is able to support his family in Namibian and Zimbabwe from sales at the Craft Centre. His skill is self-taught. ‘When I was young, I was inspired by a man who used to do carvings. I started to make some bicycles and then I went on to make elephants and geckos.’ Morris produces a variety of recycled animals, toys, decorations, large welded metal animals and many more. One of the most popular animals, the warthog, has been bought by many visitors and shipped to Europe and Americas. Morris makes sure that he has a great variety of products, and guarantees that there is something for everyone.