Youth Games give bead maker big break

Thato Kala | Friday June 13, 2014 18:02

 

The special market, she says, was a great platform for her, which showed her how much her work is appreciated.

Interestingly, while many local crafts men and women often complain of non-appreciation of their products, especially by locals, Budulala sings a different tune.

“I see people love my work and that encourages me a lot,” she told Arts & Culture.

Budulala uses beads to create various accessories such as necklaces, handbags and wristbands.

One could say her beading talent was discovered by default.  Years back as a young poet who followed in her grandfather’s footsteps Budulala felt she needed an attire to use during her performance. The first idea, which popped up was a necklace.  She immediately created it using beads.

 After successfully completing the first piece she realised she could use beads to make more accessories.

During the interview, Budulala was making a wedding dress train using wooden beads.

In front of her were a variety of necklaces with some made of tiny shells.  Also on display were photo frames, glass beads, tablemats and hats.

The married mother of two girls proudly says she gets people ordering things from her in bulk.

The success of the youth games seems to have motivated her more and she now harbours big dreams of producing the crafts in large quantities.

 “I want to have large factories that will produce beads and other things that I make,” she says.

So big is her passion for her craft that not even her studies and motherhood would pose as a detour.

Budulala is currently studying Chain and Supply Management at ABM University College a course not related to what she does.

However, she intends to enrol for a course relevant to the arts industry once she completes her current studies.

“The reason I took up this course was so I could understand contractual issues and negotiations for the sake of my business in the near future,” she explained.

Without a doubt, her products can easily make the grade at any up-market curio or jewellery shop.

 But she is not in a hurry to put them on the ‘shiny shelves’ as her focus is still on completing her studies.

Although beading and studies consume the bulk of her time, Budulala still finds moments to follow her other passion, poetry.

Growing up without a father has greatly influenced her line of poetry hence she has several poems on fatherless children.

She said: “I intend to fight for those children with no fathers to get the love and attention of their fathers.”

Budulala plans to teach interested youngsters to use their talents for survival.