Stories

.............creating 14 jobs in rural Free State

The Collection renders designs that are complementary and strongly rooted in Africa. Creating by using traditional Italian methods, every piece is hand crafted, unique in design, texture and luster. Using 100% recycled hand beaten aluminium; they strive towards creating products that are sustainable and environmentally friendly.

Professor and his artists have created an industry that transforms wire into life.  Their creations have become sought after pieces and have already travelled from an informal settlement outside Cape Town to faraway places like San Diego Zoo. Professor is a true family man, and while employing numerous artists from his community, he uses his income to support and fund his two younger brothers' university studies.

This non-profit organisation provides training and work for women from the township of Imizamo Yethu in, Cape Town. Crafters make hand-made paper and paper products, which are decorated by a team of beaders. The product range includes gifts and jewellery, sold locally and internationally. 20 women work at this NGO and their earnings support 65 people. Although volunteers are currently helping the organisation to grow, the ultimate aim is for the crafters to take over the running of their business. To this end, training is given in business skills, planning, product development and marketing, and regular literacy classes are held.

……the art of changing lives

These pieces were born from of a job creation project.  Fifteen artists were trained on a Craft Production Learnership course in 2004. A selection of these artists was chosen to partake in a Learn-and-Earn program. This led to the creation of a small business making and selling unique, hand crafted ceramics.  While South Africa has no shortage of extremely talented artists, the challenge lies in finding ways for them to use these raw skills to create a better life and a sustainable income. The ultimate plan for these artists is to run the business themselves and to grow and employ more people.

These key rings are made from modeling clay, very much in the same way as the old trading beads had been long ago.  Different colours are interwoven to form a three-dimensional picture.  The produced pattern is then cut into slices and used as required. Since the patterns are rolled and not printed, the design will never be exactly be the same. It has a sense of life, which is part of its charm.  No machines are used during the entire process, it’s entirely handmade.

Manufacturers of bags and plastic products, that was established in 1989 and is one of South Africa’s foremost bag manufacturers. The products cover a wide range of bags as well as PVC heat welded products. The manufacturing capabilities covers a vast range of different applications of PVC, which can be welded, stitched or laminated. The final stages of manufacture use a variety of techniques including silkscreen printing, foiling, embossing, pad printing and embroidery.

Nettie, was commissioned by the government to teach ladies, from their local community to draw. After three months, they looked at her for a better future. She was up for the challenge, this is how the exquisite hand made and hand crafted township range was born.  Today it gives 20 ladies and their companions a new beginning of hope and freedom.

Lizeth, a zesty designer with a different design style, specialising in classic contemporary design with an African touch. She specialices in the design and manufacture of functional pewter art collectables. She firmly believes in the far reaching benefits of job creation and upliftment in South Africa. Through the development of specialized skill of her staff members they create a harmonious working environment perfect for creative thinking.

Andy and Helen gave up their jobs in the city to follow their dream of living and working in the countryside. Having found a beautiful place in the mountains, they set about learning – mostly by trial and error – all about spinning and weaving. Today they produce carpets, throws, shawls and scarves and export a large portion of these. Andy and Helen were later joined by their son, Rob, and six Zulu women. The weavers, mostly single mothers, support and educate their own children as well as many others from their extended families. Together they are responsible for 44 dependents.
 

It all started when these books were presented as the City of Joburg's official gifts for the hand-over function in Germany in July 2006. These leather bound wooden journals were presented as gifts with the challenge ‘Journal your way to 2010.’ These were developed by esSAy Gifts in conjunction with a small South African company. Through your support, Pardon and his loved ones now have a chance to write a new chapter in their lives. This gift will allow you to record the next chapter in yours.These pieces are all unique and are instrumental in uplifting the communities in which they are made.