The creative ladies wowed foreign audiences at the annual L'Artigiano de Fiera Milano craft festival in Milan, Italy, last month.
The festival provides a chance for crafters from around the world to showcase their products. It is the biggest exhibition of its kind and attended by thousands of festival-goers each year.
Not only were the crafters given the opportunity to experience the rich culture of the Italians, they returned home having sold out their crafts which included soft furnishings such as cushions, bags and curtains, mohair products, African dolls expressing Xhosa and Zulu culture and recycled glass jewellery.
They were part of a 34-member craft team from all over South Africa put together by the Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), who sponsored the event.
One of the top sellers, Nomaci Qabaka from Mdantsane, who exhibited jewellery from recycled glass made in East London, battled to contain her excitement while speaking to the Daily Dispatch.
“It was my first time exhibiting my products overseas and we all did so well. I am so proud,” she said. “I just wish we could do as well locally.”
Qabaka said she had received a warm response and had learnt a lot and come up with some “new and exciting ideas”. She was now preparing for the export market.
The ECDC supports South African crafters through its Creative Industries Development Programme.
Crafts project manager Melanie Mahona said: “The crafters embraced the fair and there were crafters from all over the world. It is one of the best attended fairs in Europe. Milan is the fashion capital of the world so this was a wonderful experience for exposure and sales.”
Source: Daily Dispatch
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