After Zambia

The photo above shows the gift I received from the Visual Arts Council in Zambia at my leaving party. The paintings are a triptych of an area in Zambia where I used to live - Katete. I was very moved to get them and also chuffed to find that they fit in my luggage.
I am back in the UK for Christmas and taking stock of things. It's weird to be in your thirties and to find yourself without a fixed abode, permanent job or any of the other things most people have that define them. '

Now begins the task of searching through what belongings I do have and deciding what to ship to the US and what to give away. I was very pleased to see all my crafty things again and they are a good place to start from in terms of building a new life. One advantage of the transitory life I have had is that you have less junk to sort through, and only what matters really remains.

Craft Business Journal II – Like minds, research and plans

Lusaka is quite a small place really. When you meet certain people six degrees of separation seems an entirely plausible theory. After building my social network here I have found another ex-pat who is a sewing enthusiast and has made quite a good business from her creations.
After a few texts, I finally met her today and was really inspired by her work.

In a place like Lusaka where materials are difficult to find, it is invaluable to find someone who can give you essential info on anything from haberdasheries to shipping resources from abroad. My new acquaintance also gave me some advice on what sells here and when to sell certain things. Many foreign workers (of which Lusaka has a ton!) go home in the summer months, though here it’s the cold season, this is the perfect time to sell crafts inspired by local themes as they want to take them home as gifts and souvenirs.

I now have some solid tasks ahead of me; I need to think of some new designs but also some that are African inspired for May and June. I also have a sewing machine on loan for a week so I better get some stock together!

Salaula Treasures

Yesterday I went to the giant salaula market here in Lusaka. Salaula is second hand clothes and this market had EVERYTHING, as another friend said, it’s like a department store, the market is organised into sections – skirts, children’s clothers, shoes, menswear etc. I saw some really great stuff and bought these wonderful bed sheets which I will use for quilting. Aren’t they funky?

A New Addition

I would like to introduce my new and rather ornate looking sewing machine! I have been looking into sewing machines for a while but the more modern ones are pretty pricey, and since I have a good sewing machine back in the UK, AND I want one for a short time here, it seemed silly to buy an expensive one. Thankfully, my favourite taxi driver Litiyah also has a secret talent – he makes a fabulous personal shopper and new exactly where to take me to find something basic and affordable. So here we have the 'Flying Dove'. It looks like a Singer but is more cheaply made, when I saw it in the shop it was a manual with a hand crank, which would be a great work out for my arm! Anyway, for a little extra they were able to fit a motor so that I can use it with electricity. It works fine, though there is no zig zag stitch, the thread snaps and the motor smokes a little when you go too fast, but I managed to make some curtains with it, and I find it easier to operate than more fancy machines. I don't think it is up to things like appliqué, but I prefer to do that by hand anyway.

Chitenge Therapy

Moving back to Zambia has been a big transition, even though we lived here before. However I am so happy to be able to buy chitenges again. I went to the local market and got a few 'samples' so we could decide on how to decorate our new place. The colours and patterns are so vibrant and different (you can find chitenges with floral patterns, geometric, pictures I have seen some with mobile phones and razor blades on them!). They could be a little overwhelming, so we are using them quite selectively and matching them with a pale cream to tone it down a little.

African Fabric Memories

I have mentioned before my love of Zambian chitenges, and I plan to add a few more pictures of women wearing these in the future. A strange coincidence then, to receive a package in the mail from an old friend from Zambia, containing 4 new chitenges. The patterns are above, I love the last one in particular.

It is amazing, the variety of colours and designs that go into designing these vibrant pieces of fabric, from mobile phone and razor blade prints, to op artesque patterns. And I am touched that my friend sent me such a thoughtful gift, all the way from Zambia