Multi-talented artist strives to grow her business
Nnasaretha Kgamanyane | Friday June 2, 2017 16:17
The 23-year-old is a bead and crafts artist. Her love for arts gave her the willpower to work hard to ensures that she makes her dreams come true. The young woman, who has had health problems since her childhood, told Arts and Culture that being constantly sick greatly affected her school performance and as a result contributed to her failing her Junior Certificate (JC) examinations. However, that did not demoralise her as she joined her mother in the beading craft.
“After I failed my JC examinations I decided to learn crafts from my mother.
She taught me how to make jewellery from beads. I know how to make earrings and necklaces using beads. I also use different objects and materials.
I use natural resources such as different plants leaves and seedlings to make my jewellery. I can also use German or African print cloths to make different types of jewelry. However, after so many people started engaging in beading projects, my clientele decreased,” she said.
Khutshwane explained that after losing so many customers due to the mushrooming beading businesses and the loss of interest in items made of jewelry, she decided to find new alternatives, as she was confident of her abilities in crafts. She then opted to decorate mirrors.
However, even though she ventured into this new project, Khutshwane did not stop her beading project.
This young woman uses different materials such as mogagolwane, German and African print, and different types of paper and threads to decorate the mirrors.
“I was approached by twin brothers in Gaborone who showed interest in my work. They asked me if I could do something different, as beadwork got popular in the industry. When brainstorming, I decided to decorate mirrors. I was tired of plain mirrors that did not put a spark in the living room, bedroom or bathroom,” she said.
Khutshwane said just like any other young Motswana who is trying to use their God given talents to make a living, her choice of career has not been easy.
She said she was facing challenges like lack of funds to buy materials, lack of marketing skills and support from the community. She said most people always visit her office, watch and appreciate her work without buying her products.
She however, thanked Botswana Telecommunications Corporation (BTC) for sponsoring her by paying her rent for a year. She said when she sold them her idea they welcomed it with open arms and agreed to pay her year’s rent. She said they also gave her some papers to use for decorating the mirrors.
“I would like to urge BTC to continue supporting me. If it wasn’t for them I don’t know where I would store my products. I hope they can continue helping me by marketing my products so that my business can grow.
I would also like to employ other young people,” she said.
She further encouraged her fellow youth to pursue their dreams by showcasing their talents. Khutshwane explained that those talents could put food on their table. She further advised them to be vigilant when they enter the arts and crafts or entertainment industry saying that there are a lot of bad people (sharks) who are there to destroy talent and take advantage of poor people who do not know much about the industry.